# XVII explained — Memoirs of a Revolutionist

> Chapter companion for Memoirs of a Revolutionist by Peter Kropotkin.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Anarchism vs. State Socialism

Kropotkin contrasts anarchist ideas of no-government, local action, and free agreement with state supremacy, centralization, and discipline dominant twenty years prior.

### Revolutionary Idealism and Sacrifice

Kropotkin expresses deep conviction that a widespread revolution could bring profound social reconstruction, worth the efforts of thousands of men and women over thirty years.

### Intellectual Awakening and Education

Kropotkin discusses the need for an education that combines manual work and brain work, and his research into mutual aid as a basis for morality and justice.

### International Solidarity Among Workers

Kropotkin notes the immense penetration of communist ideas in Europe and America and the deeper comprehension of required changes across nations.

## Character check-ins

### Elisée Reclus

Published the critical part of Kropotkin's work, 'Paroles d'un Révolté', during Kropotkin's imprisonment at Clairvaux.

### Mikhail Bakunin

Cited as having foretold the rise of the military spirit in Europe after the Franco-Prussian War.

### Professor Kessler

A Russian zoologist whose lecture on mutual aid as a law of nature provided Kropotkin with the key to revising the Darwinian struggle for existence.

### Henry Walter Bates

Supported Kropotkin's plan to write on mutual aid, calling it 'true Darwinism', and offered to write a letter of commendation.

### Robert Owen

Mentioned as one of the three systems of socialism, with Owen's system prevailing in England and Scotland.

### Charles Darwin

His formula of the 'struggle for existence' is discussed; Kropotkin critiques its misinterpretation by followers like Huxley.

### Thomas Huxley

His article 'The Struggle for Existence; a Program' is criticized by Kropotkin as an atrocious misinterpretation of Darwin's ideas.

## Key lines

> I took a lively part in this movement, and with a few English comrades I started, in addition to the three socialist papers already in existence, an anarchist-communist monthly, Freedom , which continues to live up to the present hour.

Kropotkin actively participated in the movement and, together with some English friends, founded the anarchist-communist monthly 'Freedom', which still exists today.

_Describes the founding of the journal 'Freedom' as part of Kropotkin's anarchist activities in England._

> The critical part of it was published by Elisée Reclus, during my Clairvaux imprisonment, under the title, Paroles d’un Révolté .

The critical portion of Kropotkin's work was published by Elisée Reclus while Kropotkin was imprisoned at Clairvaux, under the title 'Paroles d'un Révolté'.

_Highlights the role of Elisée Reclus in publishing Kropotkin's writings during his imprisonment._

> Mutual aid is as much a law of nature as mutual struggle; but for the progressive evolution of the species the former is far more important than the latter.

Mutual aid is a natural law just like mutual struggle, but it is more important for the progressive evolution of species.

_Kropotkin cites Professor Kessler's lecture as the key insight for revising the Darwinian struggle for existence._

> That is true Darwinism. It is a shame to think of what they have made of Darwin’s ideas.

H. W. Bates endorsed Kropotkin's project, calling it true Darwinism and criticizing the misinterpretation of Darwin's ideas.

_Bates's support for Kropotkin's mutual aid theory as the correct interpretation of Darwinism._

> All Europe is now going through a very bad phase of the development of the military spirit. This was an unavoidable consequence of the victory obtained by the German military empire, with its universal military service system, over France in 1871, and it was already then foreseen, and foretold by many, in an especially impressive form by Bakúnin.

Europe is experiencing a harmful rise in militarism, a direct result of Germany's 1871 victory over France, which Bakunin had already predicted.

_Kropotkin links the growth of militarism to the Franco-Prussian War and Bakunin's foresight._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/xvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters