Lausanne Congress (1867)
The Lausanne Congress of 1867 was a gathering of the International Workingmen's Association (also known as the First International) held in Lausanne, Switzerland, from September 2nd to September 8th, 1867. It was the second official congress of the International, following the Geneva Congress of 1866.
The Lausanne Congress addressed a variety of issues relevant to the burgeoning socialist and labor movements of the time. Key topics of discussion included:
-
Labor Legislation: Delegates debated the need for laws regulating working hours, conditions, and child labor. The congress generally supported the adoption of such legislation to protect workers.
-
Education: Education was viewed as a crucial tool for empowering the working class. The congress discussed the importance of providing free, secular, and comprehensive education for all children.
-
Credit and Banking: The role of credit and banking in the exploitation of workers was examined. Delegates considered alternative models, such as cooperative credit societies, as a means of empowering workers financially.
-
Property: The congress explored various forms of property ownership, including individual, collective, and state ownership. This was a particularly contentious issue, reflecting the diverse socialist ideologies represented within the International.
-
International Peace: The congress condemned war and militarism and advocated for international arbitration as a means of resolving conflicts between nations. The need for a unified working-class movement to oppose war was emphasized.
-
Statistics: The importance of gathering reliable statistical data on working conditions and economic inequality was recognized. The congress encouraged national sections of the International to collect and share such data.
The resolutions passed at the Lausanne Congress reflected a moderate socialist program aimed at improving the conditions of the working class through legal reforms, education, and cooperative efforts. While the congress did not endorse revolutionary overthrow of the existing order, it laid the groundwork for future debates within the International regarding the path to socialist transformation. The congress highlighted the growing influence and importance of the International Workingmen's Association as a platform for international socialist cooperation and action.