 |
Julian GorkinSpanish communist revolutionary
Country:
 Spain |
Content:
- Julián Gorkin: A Communist Revolutionary and Writer
- Founding the POUM
- Spanish Civil War
- Exile and International Activities
- Return to Europe and Later Years
- Unveiling Trotsky's Assassin
Julián Gorkin: A Communist Revolutionary and Writer
Early Life and Political ActivismBorn in Madrid, Spain, Julián Gorkin immersed himself in left-wing politics from a young age. He joined the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) but became disillusioned by its dogmatic adherence to Stalinism. In 1929, he was expelled from the Comintern for sympathizing with the Left Opposition led by Leon Trotsky.
Founding the POUM
Gorkin advocated for the unification of anti-Stalinist communist factions. In 1935, he helped establish the Workers' Party of Marxist Unification (POUM), bringing together Trotskyists, Bukharinists, and Left Communists. Gorkin played a prominent role within the party, particularly as editor of its newspaper, "La Batalla."
Spanish Civil War
During the Spanish Civil War, Gorkin moved to Barcelona and took up residence at the POUM stronghold, the Hotel Falcón. He witnessed the May 1937 street battles between the POUM and government forces and was arrested in their aftermath. However, he escaped prison on the eve of Barcelona's fall to Francoist forces in 1939.
Exile and International Activities
After the Republican defeat, Gorkin fled to Paris. From 1939-1940, he served as secretary of the London Bureau of the International Bureau for Revolutionary Socialist Unity. In 1940, he sought refuge in Mexico, where he became part of the influential Trotskyist and anti-Stalinist socialist community. He assisted Victor Serge in obtaining visas for Mexico and collaborated with him on developing a new concept of revolutionary socialism.
Return to Europe and Later Years
In 1948, Gorkin returned to Paris and joined the Socialist Movement for the United States of Europe and the anti-communist Congress for Cultural Freedom. In the 1970s, he became a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). Following the death of Francisco Franco, he returned to Spain and continued to engage in political discussions until his death in 1987.
Unveiling Trotsky's Assassin
In 1948, Gorkin played a pivotal role in exposing the identity of Leon Trotsky's assassin, Ramón Mercader (also known as Frank Jackson-Moran), to the public.
