Propaganda by Deed
An essay from the Propaganda by Deed ep.
The term "Propaganda by Deed" was coined in the late 19th century to refer to the many acts of violence anarchists used against the state and the people who carried out it’s directives. The anarchist movement had grown significantly in the early days of the industrial revolution when the abuses of capitalism were presented without the mask of modern social programs. Man ordinary working people were drawn to anarchism’s criticisms of state and capitalist power. However, the agitation of speakers and mass rallies could only go so far. The bosses and politicians saw the threat that a growing anarchist movement presented to their control and began a policy of strict repression. Active anarchists organizers were intimidated, fired, imprisoned, and/or tortured by private and state security forces in Europe and the United States. In reaction to this and as mans to inspire the masses to revolt, some anarchist turned to violence. Politicians, company owners and managers were assassinated’ buildings were bombed and bands were robbed. These acts of aggression against the state resulted in further state repression, which the movement tried to use as a propaganda tool. Anarchist claimed that state repression was simply becoming bolder in the face of threats from recolutionary movements. Unfortunately for the anarchist movement, governments & the wealthy elite have access to the best propaganda tools available-the media.
As anarchist violence against the powerful elite increased, the media managed to turn their activities into acts of hooliganism and random violence. The unpoliticized masses began to take up the official view of the violence and the anarchist movement itself was divided over the use of Propaganda by Deed as a tactic for revolutionary agitation. Governments and bosses seized upon this division and lack of popular support as a means to destroy anarchist movements. All over the globe anarchists were imprisioned, exiled and exicuted for their activities against the state. In places like Italy, Germany, and Spain the actions of anarchists were used as a stepping stones for the formation and eventual victory of fascist parties. In the United States thousands of anarchists were deported or imprisioned. By the Second World War the anarchist movement had been reduced to a handful of activists who boldly resisted the power of the state and capitalism.
The modern era has created a resurgence of radical activism and with it a resurgence of anarchism. Since the 1960’s a number of anarchist/ anti-authoritian groups have used violence to either avenge the actions of politicians and corporations or to inspire others to revolt. Their actions have been meet with the same demoniztion and repressioln as before, but there are some people who have begun to redefine Propaganda by Deed to incorporate more than simple acts of violence. There are more ways to propagate anarchism than shouting it about. Creating counter institutions help build an anarchist society in the shell of authoritarian capitalism. Infoshops or radiacal reading rooms/ bookstores, free stores where items are exchanged rather than sold and collective living spaces are just a few examples. Rather than attacking an institution or individual, civil disobedience often brings attention to their actions without being severly demonized by the media. Even daily interactions with people you meet can serve as a way to inform people on the possibility of making anarchism a reality. Just talking to people can be propaganda enough. Every movement of our lives can be a chance to make a change. Everything we do can make anarchism a reality. EVERY ANARCHIST IS A PROPAGANDIST!
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