Marx, Mexico and the self-defense groups

Abstract

Although today Karl Marx is seen as a kind of Santa Claus who wrote funny stories about capitalism, he was a man of action. After his comrades intervened in the 1848-49 revolution in Germany, he congratulated them in a circular. His League of Communists had "fully justified his existence." The ideas of the group, which previously only lived in "secret meetings and clandestine writings, are now in the public domain and are preached in corners and public squares". In that context, Marx was now concerned that the mobilized proletariat would fall under the political influence of forces outside his own. His conclusion was blunt: "The independence of the working class must be restored." To achieve this, in addition to basic organizational measures and others not so much, such as the launching of communist candidates in the elections, Marx suggested something else: “The armament of the entire proletariat with rifles, cannons and ammunition must be carried out on the spot […] . Under no pretext will they give up their weapons and equipment, and any attempt at disarmament must be vigorously resisted. ” Only in this way could a route be opened that would facilitate a communist reinvention of the State and property.