From the spectre haunting Europe to the struggles of the present day
The communist movement is the most significant political force in modern history. From the publication of the Communist Manifesto to the construction of socialism across continents, the working class has fought for liberation against every form of exploitation.
Marx and Engels publish the founding document of scientific socialism, declaring that the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.
The International Workingmen's Association is founded in London, uniting workers' organisations across Europe under Marx's theoretical leadership.
The workers of Paris seize power and establish the first workers' government in history. Though crushed after 72 days, the Commune provides essential lessons for the revolutionary movement.
Marx publishes his masterwork of political economy, scientifically demonstrating the exploitation inherent in the capitalist mode of production.
At the Second Congress of the RSDLP, Lenin's faction — the Bolsheviks — split from the Mensheviks over the question of party organisation, establishing the model of the vanguard party.
Under Lenin's leadership, the Bolsheviks seize state power in Russia, establishing the world's first socialist state. The revolution proves that Marxism is not merely theory but a guide to revolutionary action.
Fourteen imperialist nations invade revolutionary Russia alongside White counter-revolutionary armies. The Red Army, created from almost nothing, grows to five million and defeats all enemies, defending the workers' state at a cost of millions of lives.
Lenin founds the Communist International to unite revolutionary parties worldwide and break with the treachery of the Second International, which had supported imperialist war.
The world's second socialist revolution. Mongolian Marxist-Leninists led by Sükhbaatar, with Soviet assistance, liberate the country from feudal theocracy and foreign occupation, establishing the Mongolian People's Republic in 1924.
The Soviet Union is transformed from a backward agrarian country into a mighty industrial power. Collectivisation, industrialisation, and the Five-Year Plans build the material foundations of socialism.
The international communist movement rallies to defend the Spanish Republic against fascism. The International Brigades demonstrate proletarian internationalism in practice.
The Soviet Union bears the decisive burden of defeating Nazi fascism, losing 27 million people. The Red Army's victory at Stalingrad marks the turning point of the Second World War.
The Communist Party of Yugoslavia leads the largest anti-fascist resistance movement in occupied Europe. Under KPJ leadership, the Partisans liberate Yugoslavia from Axis occupation, establishing people's power through Anti-Fascist Councils (AVNOJ) and People's Liberation Committees.
The Communist Party of China, under Mao Zedong's leadership, liberates the Chinese people from feudalism, imperialism, and bureaucrat-capitalism, establishing the People's Republic.
Fidel Castro and the revolutionary forces overthrow the Batista dictatorship, establishing socialism 90 miles from the United States and inspiring revolutionary movements across Latin America.
Across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, peoples fight for national liberation from colonial and neo-colonial oppression, with the support of the socialist camp.
Decades of revisionism, beginning with Khrushchev's betrayal at the 20th Congress in 1956, culminate in the destruction of the Soviet Union. The restoration of capitalism brings catastrophe to the working people. Read full analysis →
The global financial crisis exposes the fundamental contradictions of capitalism. Austerity, imperialist war, and ecological destruction intensify. The need for socialist revolution becomes ever more urgent.
The Marxist-Leninist British Party is established on a principled basis, committed to genuine Marxism-Leninism, anti-imperialism, and the revolutionary transformation of society.
"The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles."
— Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto (1848)Ask our AI educational assistant about any period in revolutionary history.