Radical History Blog

Born today in 1855, Eugene Debs belongs to a proud history of American socialism which is only now being rediscovered.

As the country prepares for another election in five weeks, we explore the forgotten history of the Chartists and the Newport Rising in bringing about our modern democracy. "Rise, like lions after slumber." This was writer in the wake of the .

A few people have heard of revolutionary philosopher . Some have probably also heard of his pamphlet, '', published on 16th March in 1791. Or perhaps even his other notable pamphlet, '' which advocated American independence from Great Britain.

In October 1945, delegates from across the African world gathered in Manchester for the Fifth Pan-African Congress.

Len Johnson was a hero inside the ring and out. His defiance helped to inspire a generation of resistance against the racism that sought to prevent his champion status. “Inside of a ring or out, ain’t nothing wrong with going down.

Amidst the havoc of the English Civil War, the True Levellers movement called out boldly for social and economic equality – perhaps the most radical vision to come out of an already radical chapter of our island story.

In 1915, Keir Hardie’s life of political struggle came to an end. Spanning the length and breadth of Britain, his story remains an inspiration to all who strive for social justice.

Two years before the outbreak of the Civil War, John Brown and his followers attempted to lead an armed slave revolt by taking over a US military arsenal at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

After escaping from the worst that humanity could offer, Hannah Arendt confronted evil head on. Plenty of philosophers do their best to detach themselves from all things 'worldly', in order to think on a supposedly higher plane. Not Hannah Arendt.

For the second instalment of our Black History Month series, we take a trip to the South Wales Coalfield to explore the powerful, political friendship between the African-American radical singer, Paul Robeson, and Welsh miners.