Alan Woods discusses the English Revolution of the 17th century, providing an in-depth examination of these dramatic events, and drawing out the vital lessons for socialists today.

Tune in to Marxist Voice each week, as Alan provides a Marxist analysis of this important chapter in British history; this historic revolution that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism and paved the way for modern democracy as we know it.

The English Revolution: The world turned upside down

Welcome to episode one of our new series - The English Revolution: The World Turned Upside Down.

Every Friday, Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) will be discussing the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

It is said that revolution has never come to the British Isles. In fact, modern British democracy was born out of a violent revolution and a bloody Civil War, which saw the king lose his head. Today, we are witnessing one of the most turbulent periods in British history, and the ruling class fears the nation’s revolutionary past, which is why they seek to bury it under falsehoods.

As Leon Trotsky wrote in 1925: “The British bourgeoisie has erased the very memory of the 17th-century revolution by dissolving its past in ‘gradualness’. The advanced British workers will have to re-discover the English Revolution and find within its ecclesiastical shell the mighty struggle of social forces.”

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

The English Revolution: the world turned upside down – part one

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In this episode, Alan sets the scene of England on the brink of revolution. The country was facing a profound economic crisis, there was an army of downtrodden poor, and radical religious ideas were taking hold amongst the burgeoining middle classes. Under the surface, these ideas expressed class antagonisms, which were building to a fever pitch as feudalism entered its dying days.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part two

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

Revolutions always start with splits at the top. In episode three, Alan describes the tensions developing between King Charles (and his Catholic wife), firm in his belief in the divine right of kings; and the increasingly powerful English parliament.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part three

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In episode four, Alan Woods discusses the escalating conflicts between parliament and the Machiavellian King Charles, who wanted money to fund various military adventures. These splits at the top were concurrent with a seething discontent at the bottom of society, reflected in the murder of the King’s favourite, the Duke of Buckingham. The outlines of eventual civil war were taking shape.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part four

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In this episode, Alan describes the escalating conflicts between King Charles and parliament. Charles dissolved parliament several times, culminating in a dissolution that was to last for 11 years. The country was now firmly on the road to war and revolution.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part five

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In the latest episode, Alan describes how, with parliament suspended, Charles I was determined to enforce his authority in matters of religion and state. His reforms to the church provoked horror and resentment from the people of England, and he exploited loopholes to raise cash through taxes, particularly the hated ship money. Terrible punishment was meted out against anyone who objected. But at the peak of his power, Charles was about to face a fall.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part six

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In this latest episode, Alan explained how the English Revolution began in Scotland. After 11 years of tyranny under King Charles and his court clique, their attempt at religious reform in Scotland proved a serious mistake. A riot at a Cathedral turned into a revolutionary movement, organised around the Covenant, with Bishops targeted and attacked by the poor masses and forced to flee en masse. 

After a disastrous first attempt to impose his reform by an invasion, Charles called a new, 'short' parliament to raise funds for war with Scotland, but it continued to resist him. After scoring victories against the English, the revolutionary Scots began to push south, with Charles forced to flee all the way to York and eventually sign a humiliating peace treaty. Charles then had no choice to call another, 'long' parliament. The real action begins here!

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part seven

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In the latest episode, Alan outlines how King Charles's maneuvers forced him to recall parliament yet again. This however, gave an outlet for the pent up anger of the masses. A new period of turmoil opens up as the conflict pours out onto the streets. Petitions and political agitation spread amongst the masses throughout the country, along with unprecedented mobilisations, in particular in London. 

The intervention of the masses completely disrupted the comfortable relations built up between parliament and the King. An amicable deal was ruled out. Charles was pushed into a corner and forced to give up one of his key allies.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part eight

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In our latest episode, Alan looks at the developments following the execution of Strafford. If King Charles thought Strafford's execution would calm the situation in England, he was dead wrong. Aside from continued opposition from Pym and parliament, the masses were becoming bolder, arming themselves, acquiring revolutionary force, and even starting to worry the more-moderate parliamentarians.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part nine

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In our latest episode, Alan discusses how, after King Charles' patience with his rebellious parliament ran out, he launched an attempted coup d'état, leading to one of the most famous scenes in English history, with Charles arriving at parliament with a list of names for arrest, only to find "the birds [had] flown" – and leaving empty handed to defiant calls of "privilege!" 

The city of London was soon in a state of revolutionary insurrection. A fight within the privileged classes had spilled out onto the streets. The masses were in control of the capital. The Civil War had begun.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part ten

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

Alan continues his series by explained how, by leaving London, King Charles set in motion a chain of events that would lead inevitably to civil war...

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part eleven

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In our latest episode, Alan discusses how, with the Parliamentarians in a favourable position at the outbreak of the Civil War, thousands of men enlisted to fight on their side. The Royalists, relying on the less economically developed regions, were dependent on superior cavalry and a stubborn unwillingness to surrender. The stage was set for a colossal engagement between the two sides, which put a stop to any hope of compromise.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part twelve

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In this episode, Alan discusses how, after some losses at the hands of the Royalists, Oliver Cromwell and his new army scored a decisive turning point with a crushing victory at the battle of Marston Moor. But divisions were opening up on the parliamentary side between the radical and conservative elements.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part thirteen

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In this episode, Alan's discusses how, with the victory of Cromwell's army at the Battle of Naseby, the first English Civil War came to an end. The defeated King handed himself over to the Scots, hoping to play the New Model Army (likened to a combination of the Soviets, the Red Army and the Bolshevik Party) off against the propertied classes in parliament, who were increasingly worried about this armed, disciplined body of lower-class radicals. Just like after the Russian February Revolution and the fall of the Tsar, England entered into a state of dual power.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part fourteen

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In this episode, Alan explains how the split between the New Model Army and parliament was widening, as the former became increasingly radical, particularly the Levellers faction.

At the famous Putney Debates, revolutionary ideas (including universal suffrage) were openly discussed. Cromwell swung from revolution to counter-revolution in his attempts to mediate between the propertied parliamentarians and the army. Meanwhile, the stage was being set for the trial, and eventual execution, of King Charles.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part fifteen

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In this latest episode, Alan explains how, with the death of King Charles and the defeat of the Presbyterian counter revolution, Oliver Cromwell moved to crush the most radical wing of the New Model Army.

With the Last Stand of the Levellers in 1649 and the suppression of the Diggers, the English Revolution as a popular struggle for freedom and democracy died. However, these courageous class fighters planted the seeds of the modern socialist movement, which battles on to this day.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part sixteen

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In the penultimate episode of this series, Alan Woods discusses how the great English Revolution, which embodied the hopes and democratic aspirations of so many ordinary people, ended with the dictatorship of one man: Oliver Cromwell. But the regime over which he ruled was very different to the one that came before.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in every week and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part seventeen

In our podcast series 'The World Turned Upside Down', Alan Woods (editor of In Defence of Marxism) discusses the English Revolution: a colossal event in world history that dealt an irreparable blow to feudal absolutism.

In the final episode of this series, Alan Woods explains how Oliver Cromwell - a man who embodied the contradictions of his class - went from revolutionary to counter-revolutionary; how a revolution that overthrew the monarchy ended in its restoration and the lessons of these events for revolutionaries today.

A careful study of the English Revolution is obligatory for every class-conscious worker, Leon Trotsky noted. So tune in to the rest of this series and listen to Alan explain this important chapter in British history from a Marxist perspective.

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The English Revolution: the world turned upside down - part eighteen

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