Real World War One FreeSchool

Sunday 18 May 2014

at No. 88 Fleet Street
London EC4 1DH

(entrance in St. Brides Avenue),
Blackfriars or Chancery Lane Tube)

11.30am – 6.00pm

In all the hype surrounding the centenary of World War 1, where are the voices of those who opposed the war? The official commemorations and the deluge of TV documentaries, exhibitions and art projects so far have mostly reflected the myths of national unity, self-sacrifice, a war for freedom… The other side of the story needs to be told – the origins of the war in the imperial rivalries of the great powers, how they sold the lie of the ‘just war’ to those they used as cannon fodder, and the collective and individual resistance that resisted and undermined the war effort, and in the end, helped to bring it to an end.

The official accounts and commemorations of the anniversary of World War One mask the real social history of the period. This conference is a chance for us to educate ourselves about the protests, strikes, mutinies and revolutionary upheavals that preceded, provoked and, eventually, ended the war. We will also discuss how best to oppose both the official commemorations and future wars. Please bring food to share if you can.

TIMETABLE

11.30 – INTRODUCTION

12pm – 1pm: WORLD WAR ONE AND ITS RELEVANCE TODAY

Why did the war start: Imperialism? The reassertion of masculinity? An attempt to forestall European revolution? Why did so many support the war? Did World War One ever really end? Why does capitalism need war?

1.30-3pm: WOMEN’S PROTESTS, MUTINIES AND REVOLUTIONS

Why were the first mass protests of the war started by women? Did politicians keep the war going to prevent the Russian Revolution from spreading? Did mutinies in the Russian, French and German armies end the war? What about the rebellions in the British army?

3.15-4.15pm: UKRAINE, PUTIN AND WAR IN EUROPE TODAY?

Was the Maidan Square uprising a revolution – or a fascist coup? Should we take sides between Putin and the West? Will the Ukrainian crisis lead to another European conflict?

4.30-6pm: COUNTERING CAMERON’S COMMEMORATIONS

Why is Cameron so keen to celebrate World War One? How do we celebrate the mutinies and revolutions of the period instead? How do we counter the official commemorations without disrespecting the dead?

All welcome, this event is free, but donations would be gratefully received on the day. Disabled access is unfortunately poor…

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

This event is organised by Remembering the Real WW1 (London). We are a small group of activists, historians and rebels, part of a growing network of groups and individuals working to highlight the histories of the Great War that official ‘commemorations’ will sweep under the carpet.

For more information email us on: therealww1@riseup.net