Soviet na hÉireann

[boiler]

SOVIET NA HÉIREANN

In April 1920 Ireland was paralysed by a general strike. Outside Mountjoy jail huge crowds gathered demanding the release of hunger striking Irish Volunteers. Across the country Soviets on the Russian model had taken over workplaces and urban areas. Workers awaited the instruction to launch a Soviet style social revolution that might have swept the occupying British forces from the island and declared Ireland a socialist republic. The order never came. Soviet na hÉireann explores that heady post World War I era when Ireland stood on the brink of a Soviet socialist revolution which would have utterly altered the course of its history.

click link below to watch the documentary. . . .

http://irishrepublicanmarxisthistoryproject.wordpress.com/2013/11/03/soviet-na-heireann/

[SensibleLuxemburgist]

The most notable example of a soviet in Ireland during this time period was the Limerick Soviet. Formed by striking workers in collaboration with local trade unions, a fully functioning soviet was in power from April 15 to 27, 1919. During this time, an independent currency and food supply was established. Unfortunately, the local Sinn Fein mayor and a Catholic bishop urged the soviet to disband which had occurred by April 27.

[Jolly Red Giant]

This documentary has been online for about three years - and has been linked to on this forum on several occasions



In April 1920 Ireland was paralysed by a general strike. Outside Mountjoy jail huge crowds gathered demanding the release of hunger striking Irish Volunteers.
And trade union activists


Across the country Soviets on the Russian model had taken over workplaces and urban areas.
Not true - During the general strike workers militias (Red Guards) controlled the streets of many urban areas - but there were no soviets during the general strike.


The most notable example of a soviet in Ireland during this time period was the Limerick Soviet.
Actually it wasn't - the Munster Soviets of May-August 1922, when workers occupied more than 120 different workplaces and in many towns and villages controlled the entire area, was far more significant.


Formed by striking workers in collaboration with local trade unions, a fully functioning soviet was in power from April 15 to 27, 1919.
To claim that it was a fully functioning Soviet is a bit of a stretch - it was a significant extension of workers power - but it was not a fully functioning soviet in the classical sense. it operated in an area where the British Army had declared martial law.


During this time, an independent currency and food supply was established.
Money was printed but never distributed or used. As for the food supply - food prices were controlled and food was smuggled in from outside the British army cordon around the city.


Unfortunately, the local Sinn Fein mayor and a Catholic bishop urged the soviet to disband which had occurred by April 27.
The Soviet disbanded not because of the actions of the SF Mayor or the Catholic bishop (although it does demonstrate the attitudes of both) - but because the leadership of the Irish Labour Party and Trade Union Congress promised to call a general strike in support of the Limerick Soviet and then renaged on their promise leaving the Limerick workers hanging.