Memoirs of a Revolutionist · Chapters
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Chapter companions for Memoirs of a Revolutionist by Peter Kropotkin.
Chapter 1
Memoirs of a Revolutionist
The opening chapter of Peter Kropotkin's memoirs introduces his early life, family background, and the formative influences that shaped his revolutionary path. It covers his childhood in Moscow, his education at the Corps of Pages, and his initial encounters with the ideas of freedom and justice that would later define his anarchist beliefs.
Chapter 2
Part I: Childhood
Peter Kropotkin recounts his early childhood in Moscow, describing his family's aristocratic household, his father's military background, and the serfdom that underpinned their life. He reflects on the harsh realities of serfdom, the influence of his brother Alexander, and the seeds of his later revolutionary ideas.
Chapter 3
I
Kropotkin recounts his arrival in England after escaping from a Russian prison, his initial struggles with the English language and finding work, his decision to remain in Western Europe to support the anarchist movement, and his eventual move to Switzerland to join the Jura Federation.
Chapter 4
The Jura Federation and the International
Kropotkin describes the critical role of the Jura Federation in maintaining the revolutionary spirit in Europe after 1871, contrasting the federalist, anarchist socialism of the Latin federations with the centralizing, state-socialist tendencies of the German Social Democrats. He details the split within the International Workingmen's Association between the Marxists and the Bakuninists, culminating in the Hague Congress of 1872, and argues that the threat of revolution from the Internationalists prevented a period of severe reaction in France, Spain, and Italy.
Chapter 5
III
Kropotkin describes the remarkable individuals of the Jura Federation, including James Guillaume, Adhémar Schwitzguébel, Spichiger, and refugees of the Paris Commune like Elisée Reclus, Lefrançais, and Pindy. He also highlights Italian revolutionaries Cafiero and Malatesta, and Russian exiles Joukóvsky and Sokolov, emphasizing their dedication, sacrifice, and the spirit of international solidarity among workers.
Chapter 6
IV
Kropotkin describes his active involvement in the Jura Federation, spreading anarchist ideas in La Chaux-de-Fonds and other Swiss towns. He reflects on the philosophy of anarchism, emphasizing that social change must come from the masses through self-reliance and free initiative, not from authority. The chapter recounts the red flag demonstrations in Bern and St. Imier, where anarchists defied police prohibitions, leading to clashes and trials. Kropotkin also discusses the International Workingmen's Association's method of solving social problems by appealing to workers themselves, and how the Jura Federation contributed to elaborating the anarchist ideal through practical and theoretical work.
Chapter 7
The Ghent Congress and the Revival in France
Kropotkin recounts the 1877 international socialist congress at Ghent, where anarchists successfully opposed German social democrats' centralization scheme. He reflects on the three independent lines of socialism (Saint-Simon, Fourier, Owen) and the wasted efforts of trying to unify them. After being warned of arrest, he fled to England, studied the French Revolution at the British Museum, then went to Paris to help revive the labor movement following the Commune's suppression. He describes the slow, invisible growth of revolutionary ideas that suddenly burst forth when conditions allowed.
Chapter 8
VI
Kropotkin recounts his first meeting with Ivan Turgenev in Paris, facilitated by P. L. Lavrov. He reflects on Turgenev's literary impact, particularly his portrayal of Russian women and his critique of serfdom. The chapter explores a deep cultural divide between Russian and Western European conceptions of love and family, illustrated by Turgenev's anecdote about a play. Kropotkin also discusses Turgenev's classification of historical figures into Hamlets and Don Quixotes, his relationship with the character Bazarov, and his final, unfulfilled intention to write to Alexander III urging constitutional reform.
Chapter 9
VII
Kropotkin discusses the founding of the revolutionary paper 'Le Révolté' in Geneva, his editorial philosophy emphasizing hope and the recording of signs of social change, and the impact of the Vera Zasulich affair and subsequent assassination attempts on European politics and the anarchist movement.
Chapter 10
The Struggle Intensifies
Kropotkin describes the escalating conflict between the Russian revolutionary youth and the autocracy in the 1870s. He details the brutal repression of socialist agitators through show trials, harsh sentences, and horrific prison conditions, which led to a shift from peaceful propaganda to armed self-defense and, ultimately, to the formation of the Executive Committee and a direct war against Tsar Alexander II. The chapter also delves into the tragic dual nature of Alexander II, torn between his reformist past and his reactionary impulses, culminating in his assassination in 1881.
Chapter 11
IX
Kropotkin describes the panic in St. Petersburg after Alexander II's assassination, Alexander III's retreat to Gatchina, the formation of the Holy League and Okhrana, and a plot to assassinate him. He recounts his expulsion from Switzerland, his time in England and France, and a warning about a death sentence from the Holy League.
Chapter 12
Exile in London and the Dawning of English Socialism
Kropotkin recounts his year-long exile in London from 1881 to 1882, describing the bleak state of socialist activity in England at the time. He contrasts the dormant movement with the later revival sparked by Henry George's work and the founding of 'Justice'. Despite small audiences and a sense of hopelessness, he and Tchaikovsky continued propaganda among workers, and he lectured on the Russian movement to enthusiastic crowds. The chapter ends with his decision to return to France, preferring a French prison to the 'grave' of London's indifference.
Chapter 13
Part II: The Corps of Pages
Kropotkin recounts his experiences at the Corps of Pages, a prestigious military school in St. Petersburg, detailing the harsh discipline, the educational system, and his growing awareness of social injustices and revolutionary ideas.
Chapter 14
I
Kropotkin recounts his arrival in England after escaping from a Russian prison, his initial struggles with the English language and finding work, his decision to remain in Western Europe to support the anarchist movement, and his eventual move to Switzerland to join the Jura Federation.
Chapter 15
The Jura Federation and the International
Kropotkin describes the critical role of the Jura Federation in maintaining the revolutionary spirit in Europe after 1871, contrasting the federalist, anarchist socialism of the Latin federations with the centralizing, state-socialist tendencies of the German Social Democrats. He details the split within the International Workingmen's Association between the Marxists and the Bakuninists, culminating in the Hague Congress of 1872, and argues that the threat of revolution from the Internationalists prevented a period of severe reaction in France, Spain, and Italy.
Chapter 16
III
Kropotkin describes the remarkable individuals of the Jura Federation, including James Guillaume, Adhémar Schwitzguébel, Spichiger, and refugees of the Paris Commune like Elisée Reclus, Lefrançais, and Pindy. He also highlights Italian revolutionaries Cafiero and Malatesta, and Russian exiles Joukóvsky and Sokolov, emphasizing their dedication, sacrifice, and the spirit of international solidarity among workers.
Chapter 17
IV
Kropotkin describes his active involvement in the Jura Federation, spreading anarchist ideas in La Chaux-de-Fonds and other Swiss towns. He reflects on the philosophy of anarchism, emphasizing that social change must come from the masses through self-reliance and free initiative, not from authority. The chapter recounts the red flag demonstrations in Bern and St. Imier, where anarchists defied police prohibitions, leading to clashes and trials. Kropotkin also discusses the International Workingmen's Association's method of solving social problems by appealing to workers themselves, and how the Jura Federation contributed to elaborating the anarchist ideal through practical and theoretical work.
Chapter 18
The Ghent Congress and the Revival in France
Kropotkin recounts the 1877 international socialist congress at Ghent, where anarchists successfully opposed German social democrats' centralization scheme. He reflects on the three independent lines of socialism (Saint-Simon, Fourier, Owen) and the wasted efforts of trying to unify them. After being warned of arrest, he fled to England, studied the French Revolution at the British Museum, then went to Paris to help revive the labor movement following the Commune's suppression. He describes the slow, invisible growth of revolutionary ideas that suddenly burst forth when conditions allowed.
Chapter 19
VI
Kropotkin recounts his first meeting with Ivan Turgenev in Paris, facilitated by P. L. Lavrov. He reflects on Turgenev's literary impact, particularly his portrayal of Russian women and his critique of serfdom. The chapter explores a deep cultural divide between Russian and Western European conceptions of love and family, illustrated by Turgenev's anecdote about a play. Kropotkin also discusses Turgenev's classification of historical figures into Hamlets and Don Quixotes, his relationship with the character Bazarov, and his final, unfulfilled intention to write to Alexander III urging constitutional reform.
Chapter 20
VII
Kropotkin discusses the founding of the revolutionary paper 'Le Révolté' in Geneva, his editorial philosophy emphasizing hope and the recording of signs of social change, and the impact of the Vera Zasulich affair and subsequent assassination attempts on European politics and the anarchist movement.
Chapter 21
The Struggle Intensifies
Kropotkin describes the escalating conflict between the Russian revolutionary youth and the autocracy in the 1870s. He details the brutal repression of socialist agitators through show trials, harsh sentences, and horrific prison conditions, which led to a shift from peaceful propaganda to armed self-defense and, ultimately, to the formation of the Executive Committee and a direct war against Tsar Alexander II. The chapter also delves into the tragic dual nature of Alexander II, torn between his reformist past and his reactionary impulses, culminating in his assassination in 1881.
Chapter 22
IX
Kropotkin describes the panic in St. Petersburg after Alexander II's assassination, Alexander III's retreat to Gatchina, the formation of the Holy League and Okhrana, and a plot to assassinate him. He recounts his expulsion from Switzerland, his time in England and France, and a warning about a death sentence from the Holy League.
Chapter 23
Part III: Siberia
Kropotkin recounts his service in Siberia, including his administrative work, the Sungari River expedition, and his growing disillusionment with the tsarist system, which ultimately leads him toward revolutionary thought.
Chapter 24
I
Kropotkin recounts his arrival in England after escaping from a Russian prison, his initial struggles with the English language and finding work, his decision to remain in Western Europe to support the anarchist movement, and his eventual move to Switzerland to join the Jura Federation.
Chapter 25
The Jura Federation and the International
Kropotkin describes the critical role of the Jura Federation in maintaining the revolutionary spirit in Europe after 1871, contrasting the federalist, anarchist socialism of the Latin federations with the centralizing, state-socialist tendencies of the German Social Democrats. He details the split within the International Workingmen's Association between the Marxists and the Bakuninists, culminating in the Hague Congress of 1872, and argues that the threat of revolution from the Internationalists prevented a period of severe reaction in France, Spain, and Italy.
Chapter 26
III
Kropotkin describes the remarkable individuals of the Jura Federation, including James Guillaume, Adhémar Schwitzguébel, Spichiger, and refugees of the Paris Commune like Elisée Reclus, Lefrançais, and Pindy. He also highlights Italian revolutionaries Cafiero and Malatesta, and Russian exiles Joukóvsky and Sokolov, emphasizing their dedication, sacrifice, and the spirit of international solidarity among workers.
Chapter 27
IV
Kropotkin describes his active involvement in the Jura Federation, spreading anarchist ideas in La Chaux-de-Fonds and other Swiss towns. He reflects on the philosophy of anarchism, emphasizing that social change must come from the masses through self-reliance and free initiative, not from authority. The chapter recounts the red flag demonstrations in Bern and St. Imier, where anarchists defied police prohibitions, leading to clashes and trials. Kropotkin also discusses the International Workingmen's Association's method of solving social problems by appealing to workers themselves, and how the Jura Federation contributed to elaborating the anarchist ideal through practical and theoretical work.
Chapter 28
The Ghent Congress and the Revival in France
Kropotkin recounts the 1877 international socialist congress at Ghent, where anarchists successfully opposed German social democrats' centralization scheme. He reflects on the three independent lines of socialism (Saint-Simon, Fourier, Owen) and the wasted efforts of trying to unify them. After being warned of arrest, he fled to England, studied the French Revolution at the British Museum, then went to Paris to help revive the labor movement following the Commune's suppression. He describes the slow, invisible growth of revolutionary ideas that suddenly burst forth when conditions allowed.
Chapter 29
VI
Kropotkin recounts his first meeting with Ivan Turgenev in Paris, facilitated by P. L. Lavrov. He reflects on Turgenev's literary impact, particularly his portrayal of Russian women and his critique of serfdom. The chapter explores a deep cultural divide between Russian and Western European conceptions of love and family, illustrated by Turgenev's anecdote about a play. Kropotkin also discusses Turgenev's classification of historical figures into Hamlets and Don Quixotes, his relationship with the character Bazarov, and his final, unfulfilled intention to write to Alexander III urging constitutional reform.
Chapter 30
VII
Kropotkin discusses the founding of the revolutionary paper 'Le Révolté' in Geneva, his editorial philosophy emphasizing hope and the recording of signs of social change, and the impact of the Vera Zasulich affair and subsequent assassination attempts on European politics and the anarchist movement.
Chapter 31
The Struggle Intensifies
Kropotkin describes the escalating conflict between the Russian revolutionary youth and the autocracy in the 1870s. He details the brutal repression of socialist agitators through show trials, harsh sentences, and horrific prison conditions, which led to a shift from peaceful propaganda to armed self-defense and, ultimately, to the formation of the Executive Committee and a direct war against Tsar Alexander II. The chapter also delves into the tragic dual nature of Alexander II, torn between his reformist past and his reactionary impulses, culminating in his assassination in 1881.
Chapter 32
Part IV: St. Petersburg; First Journey to Western Europe
Kropotkin returns to St. Petersburg after his Siberian service, reconnects with his brother Alexander, and becomes deeply involved in revolutionary circles. He studies at the university, encounters the ideas of the Jura Federation, and ultimately embraces anarchism. The chapter culminates in his first journey to Western Europe, where he meets key figures in the international socialist movement.
Chapter 33
I
Kropotkin recounts his arrival in England after escaping from a Russian prison, his initial struggles with the English language and finding work, his decision to remain in Western Europe to support the anarchist movement, and his eventual move to Switzerland to join the Jura Federation.
Chapter 34
The Jura Federation and the International
Kropotkin describes the critical role of the Jura Federation in maintaining the revolutionary spirit in Europe after 1871, contrasting the federalist, anarchist socialism of the Latin federations with the centralizing, state-socialist tendencies of the German Social Democrats. He details the split within the International Workingmen's Association between the Marxists and the Bakuninists, culminating in the Hague Congress of 1872, and argues that the threat of revolution from the Internationalists prevented a period of severe reaction in France, Spain, and Italy.
Chapter 35
III
Kropotkin describes the remarkable individuals of the Jura Federation, including James Guillaume, Adhémar Schwitzguébel, Spichiger, and refugees of the Paris Commune like Elisée Reclus, Lefrançais, and Pindy. He also highlights Italian revolutionaries Cafiero and Malatesta, and Russian exiles Joukóvsky and Sokolov, emphasizing their dedication, sacrifice, and the spirit of international solidarity among workers.
Chapter 36
IV
Kropotkin describes his active involvement in the Jura Federation, spreading anarchist ideas in La Chaux-de-Fonds and other Swiss towns. He reflects on the philosophy of anarchism, emphasizing that social change must come from the masses through self-reliance and free initiative, not from authority. The chapter recounts the red flag demonstrations in Bern and St. Imier, where anarchists defied police prohibitions, leading to clashes and trials. Kropotkin also discusses the International Workingmen's Association's method of solving social problems by appealing to workers themselves, and how the Jura Federation contributed to elaborating the anarchist ideal through practical and theoretical work.
Chapter 37
The Ghent Congress and the Revival in France
Kropotkin recounts the 1877 international socialist congress at Ghent, where anarchists successfully opposed German social democrats' centralization scheme. He reflects on the three independent lines of socialism (Saint-Simon, Fourier, Owen) and the wasted efforts of trying to unify them. After being warned of arrest, he fled to England, studied the French Revolution at the British Museum, then went to Paris to help revive the labor movement following the Commune's suppression. He describes the slow, invisible growth of revolutionary ideas that suddenly burst forth when conditions allowed.
Chapter 38
VI
Kropotkin recounts his first meeting with Ivan Turgenev in Paris, facilitated by P. L. Lavrov. He reflects on Turgenev's literary impact, particularly his portrayal of Russian women and his critique of serfdom. The chapter explores a deep cultural divide between Russian and Western European conceptions of love and family, illustrated by Turgenev's anecdote about a play. Kropotkin also discusses Turgenev's classification of historical figures into Hamlets and Don Quixotes, his relationship with the character Bazarov, and his final, unfulfilled intention to write to Alexander III urging constitutional reform.
Chapter 39
VII
Kropotkin discusses the founding of the revolutionary paper 'Le Révolté' in Geneva, his editorial philosophy emphasizing hope and the recording of signs of social change, and the impact of the Vera Zasulich affair and subsequent assassination attempts on European politics and the anarchist movement.
Chapter 40
The Struggle Intensifies
Kropotkin describes the escalating conflict between the Russian revolutionary youth and the autocracy in the 1870s. He details the brutal repression of socialist agitators through show trials, harsh sentences, and horrific prison conditions, which led to a shift from peaceful propaganda to armed self-defense and, ultimately, to the formation of the Executive Committee and a direct war against Tsar Alexander II. The chapter also delves into the tragic dual nature of Alexander II, torn between his reformist past and his reactionary impulses, culminating in his assassination in 1881.
Chapter 41
IX
Kropotkin describes the panic in St. Petersburg after Alexander II's assassination, Alexander III's retreat to Gatchina, the formation of the Holy League and Okhrana, and a plot to assassinate him. He recounts his expulsion from Switzerland, his time in England and France, and a warning about a death sentence from the Holy League.
Chapter 42
Exile in London and the Dawning of English Socialism
Kropotkin recounts his year-long exile in London from 1881 to 1882, describing the bleak state of socialist activity in England at the time. He contrasts the dormant movement with the later revival sparked by Henry George's work and the founding of 'Justice'. Despite small audiences and a sense of hopelessness, he and Tchaikovsky continued propaganda among workers, and he lectured on the Russian movement to enthusiastic crowds. The chapter ends with his decision to return to France, preferring a French prison to the 'grave' of London's indifference.
Chapter 43
XI
Kropotkin recounts his return to Thonon, the pervasive surveillance by Russian spies, and the political machinations of Count Ignatyev's secret police. He details an armistice between the Russian government and the Executive Committee of revolutionaries, the release of Chernyshevsky, and the continued persecution of exiles like his brother Alexander.
Chapter 44
XII
Kropotkin describes the development of the anarchist movement in France in 1881-1882, the severe economic crisis in Lyons, the violent agitation and dynamite explosions, his arrest following the death of his brother-in-law, the trial where he and others were prosecuted for belonging to the International Workingmen's Association, and the absurdity of the prosecution's case.
Chapter 45
XIII
Kropotkin describes his time in Lyons prison and his transfer to Clairvaux, reflecting on the demoralizing effects of imprisonment on prisoners and their families, and concluding that prisons are 'universities of crime' that destroy will and energy.
Chapter 46
Spies and Agents Provocateurs
Kropotkin reflects on the ubiquity of spies and agents provocateurs employed by governments to infiltrate revolutionary circles. He describes how experienced revolutionists can detect them through their lack of genuine ethical alignment, and recounts several anecdotes, including a French spy's report about a journey from Paris to London, and a baron and his secretary who attempted to spy on him at Clairvaux but were eventually exposed and arrested.
Chapter 47
Release and Renewal
Kropotkin describes the campaign for his release and that of Louise Michel, their eventual liberation in January 1886, and his stay in Paris with Elie Reclus. He recounts the Reclus brothers' history, their involvement in the Paris Commune, and Elie's ethnographic work. After moving to London and settling in Harrow, Kropotkin learns of his brother Alexander's death in Siberian exile, reflecting on Alexander's scientific contributions and the harshness of tsarist repression.
Chapter 48
XVI
In 1886, Kropotkin observes the socialist movement in England, noting widespread worker unrest, middle-class involvement, and a focus on practical reforms rather than revolutionary theory. He contrasts English workers' interest in concrete organizational questions with the Latin workers' focus on general principles, and reflects on the role of concessions and the spirit of compromise in English society.
Chapter 49
Part V: The Fortress; The Escape
Kropotkin describes his imprisonment in the Peter and Paul Fortress, the harsh conditions, and his eventual escape. He reflects on the psychological toll of solitary confinement and the solidarity among prisoners.
Chapter 50
I
Kropotkin recounts his arrival in England after escaping from a Russian prison, his initial struggles with the English language and finding work, his decision to remain in Western Europe to support the anarchist movement, and his eventual move to Switzerland to join the Jura Federation.
Chapter 51
The Jura Federation and the International
Kropotkin describes the critical role of the Jura Federation in maintaining the revolutionary spirit in Europe after 1871, contrasting the federalist, anarchist socialism of the Latin federations with the centralizing, state-socialist tendencies of the German Social Democrats. He details the split within the International Workingmen's Association between the Marxists and the Bakuninists, culminating in the Hague Congress of 1872, and argues that the threat of revolution from the Internationalists prevented a period of severe reaction in France, Spain, and Italy.
Chapter 52
III
Kropotkin describes the remarkable individuals of the Jura Federation, including James Guillaume, Adhémar Schwitzguébel, Spichiger, and refugees of the Paris Commune like Elisée Reclus, Lefrançais, and Pindy. He also highlights Italian revolutionaries Cafiero and Malatesta, and Russian exiles Joukóvsky and Sokolov, emphasizing their dedication, sacrifice, and the spirit of international solidarity among workers.
Chapter 53
IV
Kropotkin describes his active involvement in the Jura Federation, spreading anarchist ideas in La Chaux-de-Fonds and other Swiss towns. He reflects on the philosophy of anarchism, emphasizing that social change must come from the masses through self-reliance and free initiative, not from authority. The chapter recounts the red flag demonstrations in Bern and St. Imier, where anarchists defied police prohibitions, leading to clashes and trials. Kropotkin also discusses the International Workingmen's Association's method of solving social problems by appealing to workers themselves, and how the Jura Federation contributed to elaborating the anarchist ideal through practical and theoretical work.
Chapter 54
The Ghent Congress and the Revival in France
Kropotkin recounts the 1877 international socialist congress at Ghent, where anarchists successfully opposed German social democrats' centralization scheme. He reflects on the three independent lines of socialism (Saint-Simon, Fourier, Owen) and the wasted efforts of trying to unify them. After being warned of arrest, he fled to England, studied the French Revolution at the British Museum, then went to Paris to help revive the labor movement following the Commune's suppression. He describes the slow, invisible growth of revolutionary ideas that suddenly burst forth when conditions allowed.
Chapter 55
Part VI: Western Europe
Kropotkin describes his departure from Russia and his initial experiences in Western Europe, including his first contact with the Jura Federation and his embrace of anarchism.
Chapter 56
I
Kropotkin recounts his arrival in England after escaping from a Russian prison, his initial struggles with the English language and finding work, his decision to remain in Western Europe to support the anarchist movement, and his eventual move to Switzerland to join the Jura Federation.
Chapter 57
The Jura Federation and the International
Kropotkin describes the critical role of the Jura Federation in maintaining the revolutionary spirit in Europe after 1871, contrasting the federalist, anarchist socialism of the Latin federations with the centralizing, state-socialist tendencies of the German Social Democrats. He details the split within the International Workingmen's Association between the Marxists and the Bakuninists, culminating in the Hague Congress of 1872, and argues that the threat of revolution from the Internationalists prevented a period of severe reaction in France, Spain, and Italy.
Chapter 58
III
Kropotkin describes the remarkable individuals of the Jura Federation, including James Guillaume, Adhémar Schwitzguébel, Spichiger, and refugees of the Paris Commune like Elisée Reclus, Lefrançais, and Pindy. He also highlights Italian revolutionaries Cafiero and Malatesta, and Russian exiles Joukóvsky and Sokolov, emphasizing their dedication, sacrifice, and the spirit of international solidarity among workers.
Chapter 59
IV
Kropotkin describes his active involvement in the Jura Federation, spreading anarchist ideas in La Chaux-de-Fonds and other Swiss towns. He reflects on the philosophy of anarchism, emphasizing that social change must come from the masses through self-reliance and free initiative, not from authority. The chapter recounts the red flag demonstrations in Bern and St. Imier, where anarchists defied police prohibitions, leading to clashes and trials. Kropotkin also discusses the International Workingmen's Association's method of solving social problems by appealing to workers themselves, and how the Jura Federation contributed to elaborating the anarchist ideal through practical and theoretical work.
Chapter 60
The Ghent Congress and the Revival in France
Kropotkin recounts the 1877 international socialist congress at Ghent, where anarchists successfully opposed German social democrats' centralization scheme. He reflects on the three independent lines of socialism (Saint-Simon, Fourier, Owen) and the wasted efforts of trying to unify them. After being warned of arrest, he fled to England, studied the French Revolution at the British Museum, then went to Paris to help revive the labor movement following the Commune's suppression. He describes the slow, invisible growth of revolutionary ideas that suddenly burst forth when conditions allowed.
Chapter 61
VI
Kropotkin recounts his first meeting with Ivan Turgenev in Paris, facilitated by P. L. Lavrov. He reflects on Turgenev's literary impact, particularly his portrayal of Russian women and his critique of serfdom. The chapter explores a deep cultural divide between Russian and Western European conceptions of love and family, illustrated by Turgenev's anecdote about a play. Kropotkin also discusses Turgenev's classification of historical figures into Hamlets and Don Quixotes, his relationship with the character Bazarov, and his final, unfulfilled intention to write to Alexander III urging constitutional reform.
Chapter 62
VII
Kropotkin discusses the founding of the revolutionary paper 'Le Révolté' in Geneva, his editorial philosophy emphasizing hope and the recording of signs of social change, and the impact of the Vera Zasulich affair and subsequent assassination attempts on European politics and the anarchist movement.
Chapter 63
The Struggle Intensifies
Kropotkin describes the escalating conflict between the Russian revolutionary youth and the autocracy in the 1870s. He details the brutal repression of socialist agitators through show trials, harsh sentences, and horrific prison conditions, which led to a shift from peaceful propaganda to armed self-defense and, ultimately, to the formation of the Executive Committee and a direct war against Tsar Alexander II. The chapter also delves into the tragic dual nature of Alexander II, torn between his reformist past and his reactionary impulses, culminating in his assassination in 1881.
Chapter 64
IX
Kropotkin describes the panic in St. Petersburg after Alexander II's assassination, Alexander III's retreat to Gatchina, the formation of the Holy League and Okhrana, and a plot to assassinate him. He recounts his expulsion from Switzerland, his time in England and France, and a warning about a death sentence from the Holy League.
Chapter 65
Exile in London and the Dawning of English Socialism
Kropotkin recounts his year-long exile in London from 1881 to 1882, describing the bleak state of socialist activity in England at the time. He contrasts the dormant movement with the later revival sparked by Henry George's work and the founding of 'Justice'. Despite small audiences and a sense of hopelessness, he and Tchaikovsky continued propaganda among workers, and he lectured on the Russian movement to enthusiastic crowds. The chapter ends with his decision to return to France, preferring a French prison to the 'grave' of London's indifference.
Chapter 66
XI
Kropotkin recounts his return to Thonon, the pervasive surveillance by Russian spies, and the political machinations of Count Ignatyev's secret police. He details an armistice between the Russian government and the Executive Committee of revolutionaries, the release of Chernyshevsky, and the continued persecution of exiles like his brother Alexander.
Chapter 67
XII
Kropotkin describes the development of the anarchist movement in France in 1881-1882, the severe economic crisis in Lyons, the violent agitation and dynamite explosions, his arrest following the death of his brother-in-law, the trial where he and others were prosecuted for belonging to the International Workingmen's Association, and the absurdity of the prosecution's case.
Chapter 68
XIII
Kropotkin describes his time in Lyons prison and his transfer to Clairvaux, reflecting on the demoralizing effects of imprisonment on prisoners and their families, and concluding that prisons are 'universities of crime' that destroy will and energy.
Chapter 69
Spies and Agents Provocateurs
Kropotkin reflects on the ubiquity of spies and agents provocateurs employed by governments to infiltrate revolutionary circles. He describes how experienced revolutionists can detect them through their lack of genuine ethical alignment, and recounts several anecdotes, including a French spy's report about a journey from Paris to London, and a baron and his secretary who attempted to spy on him at Clairvaux but were eventually exposed and arrested.
Chapter 70
Release and Renewal
Kropotkin describes the campaign for his release and that of Louise Michel, their eventual liberation in January 1886, and his stay in Paris with Elie Reclus. He recounts the Reclus brothers' history, their involvement in the Paris Commune, and Elie's ethnographic work. After moving to London and settling in Harrow, Kropotkin learns of his brother Alexander's death in Siberian exile, reflecting on Alexander's scientific contributions and the harshness of tsarist repression.
Chapter 71
XVI
In 1886, Kropotkin observes the socialist movement in England, noting widespread worker unrest, middle-class involvement, and a focus on practical reforms rather than revolutionary theory. He contrasts English workers' interest in concrete organizational questions with the Latin workers' focus on general principles, and reflects on the role of concessions and the spirit of compromise in English society.
Chapter 72
XVII
Kropotkin describes his continued anarchist-communist work in England, including the founding of the journal 'Freedom', the publication of his earlier writings as 'Paroles d'un Révolté', and the development of his constructive ideas on anarchist-communist society, which later became 'La Conquête du Pain'. He also discusses his research into mutual aid as a factor in evolution, his critique of the 'struggle for existence' as misinterpreted by Darwinists like Huxley, and his reflections on the growth of socialist and anarchist ideas in Europe and America over the preceding decades.
