Bakunin's following, renamed the International Alliance of Social Democracy, meanwhile went the way of all violent revolutionists. They took part in the uprisings in Spain in 1873; the rebellion was promptly suppressed, and the alliance came to an end.
During its brief existence the International was the red bogey-man of European courts. The most violent and bloodthirsty ambitions were ascribed to it. Such conservative and careful newspapers as the London Times indulged in the most extreme editorials and news items about the sinister organization that was soon to "bathe the thrones of Europe in blood" and "despoil property of its rights" and "human society of its blessings."
In the light of history, these fears appear ridiculous. The poor, struggling organization that could summon scarcely one hundred members to an international convention was powerful only in the possession of an idea, the conviction of international solidarity. Its plotting handful of Anarchists were a great hindrance to it, and the events of the Commune put the stamp of veracity on the dire things the public press had foretold of its ambitions.
The programs discussed at the various meetings are of more importance to us because they reveal whatever was practical in Marx's organization. For the second meeting, 1866, the following outline was sent out by the general council from London. It was unquestionably prepared by Marx himself.
"1. Organization of the International Association; its ends; its means of action.
"2. Workingmen's societies—their past, present, and future: stoppage, strikes—means of remedying them; primary and professional instruction.
"3. Work of women and children in factories, from a moral and sanitary point of view.
"4. Reduction of working hours—its end, bearing, and moral consequences; obligation of labor for all.
"5. Association—its principle, its application; co-operation as distinguished from association proper.
"6. Relation of capital and labor; foreign competition; commercial treaties.