The First Revolution of the Twentieth Century: Fears of Socialism and Anti-Labour Mobilisation in Europe After the Russian Revolution of 1905

Abstract In the late-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Europe experienced labour conflicts, unprecedented in their character, intensity scope. From waves of strikes social conflicts pre-war era, through ordeal First World War, extraordinary violence post-1917 upheavals, revolutionary potential mass never ceased to torment those who were assigned, or self-appointed, protect threatened order. The purpose this article is analyse repertoire actions ideas right-wing civil defence leagues, vigilante organisations, private police yellow unions which emerged at end century, most noticeably aftermath Russian Revolution 1905. This phenomenon considered a comparative transnational perspective, with particular focus on industrialised societies Europe: France, Germany Great Britain. provides systematisation assessment different forms, types characteristics process relative privatisation realignment security roles, outlying trends shared clusters ideological beliefs violent activity across various industries national contexts. shows how experience vigilantism, anti-socialism nationalism would represent key incentive development governmental strikebreaking schemes as well an important situational antecedent for citizens’ militias paramilitary organisations War.