Anarchists_Propaganda_by_the_Deed_Words (1)

1.

Anarchists in the Nineteenth
Century: Propaganda by the Deed
• Name: [Your Name]
• Course: [Course Title]
• University: [University Name]
• Date: [Date]

2.

Introduction
• In the late nineteenth century, Europe was
marked by political unrest, economic
hardship, and growing worker movements.
• Anarchism arose as a rejection of both
capitalism and authoritarian government,
calling for complete individual freedom.
• “Propaganda by the deed” emerged as a
strategy to awaken public consciousness
through dramatic, revolutionary acts.
• Its supporters argued that words alone could

3.

Origins of the Idea
• The idea originated in Italy and France during
the eighteen seventies, influenced by thinkers
like Mikhail Bakunin and Errico Malatesta.
• They believed that individual acts of courage
could demonstrate resistance and spark
collective uprising.
• “Propaganda by the deed” emphasized the
moral and emotional power of example over
theoretical discussion.
• Early anarchists rejected participation in

4.

Key Events and Examples
• One of the first major acts linked to this idea
was the assassination of Tsar Alexander the
Second in eighteen eighty-one in Russia.
• Similar attacks, including bombings and
political assassinations, spread across Europe
and the United States.
• The International Anarchist Congress in
London in eighteen eighty-one officially
recognized direct action as a legitimate form
of struggle.

5.

Philosophical Justification
• Supporters of the concept argued that
violence was justified as a response to
systemic injustice and state violence.
• They viewed revolutionary acts as moral
demonstrations of personal and collective
freedom.
• By confronting oppression directly, anarchists
hoped to reveal the cruelty and hypocrisy of
political power.
• However, many within the movement,

6.

Impact and Legacy
• “Propaganda by the deed” caused
governments across Europe and the Americas
to launch strong anti-anarchist campaigns.
• International police cooperation and
restrictive laws were introduced to suppress
radical groups.
• Despite repression, the idea influenced later
revolutionary and anti-colonial struggles in the
twentieth century.
• It also shaped modern understandings of

7.

Conclusion & References
• “Propaganda by the deed” represented both
the idealism and tragedy of revolutionary
politics.
• It expressed the desire to achieve justice
through action, even at the cost of personal
sacrifice.
• While many of its tactics failed, the idea
changed how societies viewed rebellion and
authority.
• Its legacy continues to influence debates