Graham R (Ed.) - Anarchism - A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas Volume One - From Anarchy to Anarchism (300 CE to 1939)

Anarchy And Anarchism / 137
minorities upon the crowd; it is because we are convinced of such influence that we
are so concerned. But we think that, in the time of revolution, the only weight the Anarchists
can have with the masses will be through action: putting our ideas in practice,
preaching by example; by this means only can the crowd be led. Yet we should
be thoroughly aware that, in spite of all, these acts will have no effect upon the
masses unless their understanding has been thoroughly prepared by a clear and
well-defined propaganda, unless they themselves stand on their own feet, prompted
by ideas previously received. Now, if we shall succeed in disseminating our ideas,
their influence will make itself felt; and it is only on condition that we know how to
explain and render them comprehensible that we shall have any chance of sharing in
the social transformation. Hence we need not be afraid of not obtaining fo llowers,
but rather to be on the watch for hindrance from those who consider themselves
leaders.
In times of revolution its precursors are always outdone by the masses. Let us
spread our ideas, explain them, elucidate them, remodel them if necessary. Let us
not fear to look the truth in the face. And this propaganda, far from alienating the adherents
of our cause, cannot but help to attract thereto all who thirst after justice
and liberty.
40. Gustav Landauer: Anarchism in Germany (1895)
Anarchistic ideas first received expression in Germany during the 18th century among members
of the Illuminati, a secret society for free thought that spread throughout German speaking areas
in Europe. One of thefounders of the Illuminati, Adam Wieshaupt (1748- 1 830), presented
an address to the society in which he spoke of national states disappearing ''from the face of the
earth without violence, " with reason becoming "the only law fo r humanity" (as quoted in Max
Nettlall, A Short History of Anarchism, London: Freedom Press, 1996; originally published
1932-34, pp. 22-23). During the 1840's, a variety of writers adopted an anarchist position of
one sort or another, not only Max Stirner, but also some of the other Young Hegelians, such as
Arnold Ruge and Edgar Bauer, Karl Grun and the journalist Wilhelm Marr. Marx, Engels and
their supporters in Germany engaged in lengthy polemics against anarchist ideas and actions,
misrepresenting and even viliJYing them. By the 1890's the German socialist movement was
dominated by the orthodox Marxist Social Democratic Party. It was within the Social Demir
cratic Party that Gustav Landauer (1870-1919) first became active in the socialist movement in
the early 1890's, quickly associating himself with a dissident group of young libertarian socialists,
the Berliner jungen. He later wrote a critique of the Social Democratic Party, one of his few
publications translated into English, Social Democracy in Germany (London: Freedom Press,