Title: History of the Paris Commune of 1871 /
Authors: Lissagaray, 1838-1901; Aveling, Eleanor Marx, 1855-1898; Hazan, Éric,
Publisher: Verso Books,
Year: 2012
Subjects: Political science; France History; France Politics and government; Paris (France) History; France Paris; France
Abstract: In 1871, the working class of Paris, incensed by their lack of political power and tired of being exploited, seized control of the capital. This book is the outstanding history of the Commune, the heroic battles fought in its defence, and the bloody massacre that ended the uprising. Its author, Lissagaray, was a young journalist who not only saw the events recounted here first-hand, but fought for the Commune on the barricades. He spent the next twenty-five years researching and writing this history, which refutes the slanders levelled at the Communards by the ruling classes and is a vivid and valuable study in urban political revolution, one that retains its power to inspire to this day. -- Back cover.
Contents: The Prussians enter Paris -- The Coalition opens fire on Paris -- 18th March -- The Central Committee calls for elections -- Reorganization of the public services -- The mayors and the Assembly combine against Paris -- The Central Committee forces the mayors to capitulate -- Proclamation of the Commune -- The Commune at Lyons, St. Etienne and Creuzot -- The Commune at Marseilles, Toulouse and Narbonne -- The Council of the Commune wavers -- The Versaillese beat back the Commune patrols and massacre prisoners -- The Commune is defeated at Marseilles and Narbonne -- The weaknesses of the Council -- The Commune's first combats -- The Manifesto and the germs of defeat -- Women of the Commune and the opposing armies -- The work of the Commune -- Formation of the Committee of Public Safety -- Rossel replaces Cluseret -- Paris bombarded : Rossel flees -- Conspiracies against the Commune -- The "Lefts" betray Paris -- The new Committee at work -- Paris on the eve of death -- The enemy enters Paris -- The invasion continues -- The street battles continue -- On the barricades -- The Left Bank falls -- The Commune's last stand -- The Versaillese fury -- The fate of the prisoners -- The trials of the Communards -- The executions -- The balance-sheet of bourgeois vengeance.