Radical History Blog

The revolutionary leader who liberated his people and took on Napoleon's army... Though fallen thyself, never to rise again, Live, and take comfort!

We've all heard of William Wilberforce - but what about the lesser-known abolitionist hero, Thomas Clarkson?Few people knew Georgian England better than Thomas Clarkson (1760-1846).

The story of how Mexico regained control over its natural resources...

They're incredibly relevant to today's political and economic landscape - but who exactly were the Luddites? What is “progress”? Is it new technology, making daily life more efficient than ever before? Machines that can do our own jobs for us? Maybe.

Everyone's heard of the French Revolution - but did you know there was more than one? Revolutions don’t usually begin with dinner parties. By 1848, France had been the European champion of revolutionary politics for half a century.

How a group of university students became leaders in the anti-Nazi resistance By the time Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, organised anti-fascism in Germany had been long-since crushed.

He's a legendary figure in Labour politics - but who exactly was Dennis Skinner? When the Labour Party was founded, all of its MPs were workers, and most of them were miners. By 1970, however, the face of the Labour Party changed dramatically.

His name is often bandied about - but who was Antonio Gramsci, and how did he end up in prison? When the Brazilian football legend Sócrates joined Italian side Fiorentina in 1984, he was asked which Italian footballer he most respected.

Martin Niemöller's confession is known across the world - but who actually was he? As far as radical, progressive politics is concerned, Martin Niemöller was not a commendable man.

2022 is looking like another busy year in the radical calendar! So, another year comes to an end - and what a year it's been... Donald Trump finally left the White House in January - though he did take some persuading.