The Logic of Political Violence Lessons in Reform and Revolution

Within Westernized societies, particularly the United States, there has been a near-universal acceptance that nonviolent action has been the foundation on which the progress and/or success of political and social justice movements have been built. Yet, contrary to popular belief, political violence has played a crucial role in advancing historic justice struggles. This breakthrough study examines the historic roles that both nonviolence and political violence have played in international social and political movements. The profound and well-researched conclusions presented advocate the necessity of political and social revolution in the United Statesusing any means necessary. This is an excellent resource for those contemplating political and social change and for anyone involved in political and social movements, especially those wondering why single-issue pursuits rarely, if ever, are successful. Challenging the predominant societal norms on the political and social change process in the United States, this is an important contribution to the struggle that may very well become the new American revolution.

Craig Rosebraugh has been a political activist since the early 1990s. He is the former national spokesperson for the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front, as well as a cofounder of the North American Earth Liberation Front Press Office (NAELFPO). He has written articles for the Earth First! Journal and No Compromise magazine, contributed to Toward Freedom, and is the author of Burning Rage of a Dying Planet. He lives in Tempe, Arizona.

Acknowledgements xi Introduction 1 PART ONE: Historical Context 19 Jewish Resistance to Genocide in World War II Europe 29 The Civil Rights Movement in the United States 65 The Movement in the United States Against the Vietnam War 99 The Algerian Revolution: A Look at the FLN Organization 143 North Vietnamese Strategies During the Vietnam War 165 The Cuban Revolution 187 The 1916 Easter Uprising in Ireland 205 PART TWO: Nonviolence and Political Violence Used in Pursuit of Political and Social Change 223 Theories of Nonviolence 225 On political Violence 241 Conclusion 263 References 269 Index 273