ABSTRACT
The insurrections in France and Spain were on the whole spontaneous uprisings, but those disturbances in Italy in which the anarchists played a part were largely the result of agitation. This chapter discusses some men who devised the Propaganda of the Deed, a method of agitation that was destined to become famous throughout the world. Consequently, these men, with their friends, set out to spread knowledge by acts of violence. The year 1878 witnessed a series of violent acts which, brought in their train serious consequences. To the terrorism of the anarchists the governments responded by a terrorism of repression, and this in itself helped to establish murderous assaults as a method of propaganda. In 1882, troubles arose in Monceau-les-Mines and at Blanzy, where the workers were bent under a terrible capitalist and clerical domination. Under the circumstances, the anarchist propaganda was very welcome, and it was only a short time until it produced an anti-religious demonstration.
