English

More than 75,000 view interview with David North

Growing international interest in Russian Revolution Centenary online lecture series

Workers and young people from around the world are registering to participate in the International Committee of the Fourth International’s international online lecture series to commemorate the centenary of the Russian Revolution.

More than 75,000 people have viewed the video interview with World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board Chairman David North introducing the lectures, including a version posted on the WSWS Facebook page.

The series will begin with a lecture by North, “Why Study the Russian Revolution?” The lecture will be streamed live on YouTube on Saturday, March 11 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Four biweekly lectures will follow.

“The Russian Revolution created the world as we know it,” North explains in the video. “It was the event which, for the first time, saw the conquest of power by the working class.” The revolution demonstrated that, “given the correct leadership, given the existence of a revolutionary party, it was possible for the working class to overthrow the capitalist system, come to power and establish a workers state.”

WSWS Editorial Board Chairman David North discusses upcoming lecture series on Russian Revolution

Those who have registered for the series come from every corner of the globe. Significant groups have signed up to participate from the United States, Germany, France, India, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

Registrations have also come in from Argentina, China, Brazil, Fiji, Greece, Ghana, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, Zambia and many other countries.

“Finally, the working class will be organized worldwide again, despite the negative propaganda of the capitalists,” wrote Werner from Canada upon registering. “I would like to hear about the impact of the October Revolution on India,” wrote BP from the Indian state of Karnataka.

“This is an essential lecture series, and I am grateful for the opportunity to attend,” wrote Kate from Australia.

Martika from Nepal commented succinctly: “Excellent.”

Joseph Kishore, national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (US), who will be delivering a lecture on the February Revolution, said that the enormous international response and interest in the series reflected the political radicalization of workers throughout the world. “All the issues that animated the Russian Revolution are present today: imperialist war, social inequality, dictatorship and repression,” Kishore said.

“The election of Donald Trump is an expression of a profound political crisis, not only in the United States but all around the world,” said James Cogan, national secretary of the SEP in Australia, who will be delivering a lecture on Lenin’s April Theses. “The building of a socialist movement to unite the working class internationally against imperialist war and the capitalist system is an urgent necessity.”

“To prepare the revolutionary struggles that are developing,” Cogan added, “it is necessary to study the lessons of history, above all the Russian Revolution.”

The lecture series beginning on March 11 is the first of two series, with a second to follow later in the year. The initial series includes: “Why Study the Russian Revolution?” (David North, March 11); “The Legacy of 1905 and the Strategy of the Russian Revolution” (Fred Williams, March 25); World War and Revolution: 1914-1917” (Nick Beams, April 8); “The February Revolution” (Joseph Kishore, April 22); “Lenin’s Return to Russia and the April Theses” (James Cogan, May 6).

For more information and to register, visit wsws.org/1917 today.

Loading