Emma Goldman

Emma Goldman was one of the most famous anarchists and prominent feminists who preached free love and faced political assassination attempts andindividual terror. She was also an ardent opponent of political power, military mobilization, militarism, regulation of childbirth, and capitalism. Goldman viewed political events in the country from the perspective of anarchism and sharp criticism of American capitalism and its injustice. The strength of her rebelliousness and revolutionary excitement accompanied her throughout entire life, which admires the readers of her biography and history enthusiasts. For many years, Emma Goldman sympathized with anarchists, but the majority her views were formed in America. The political activity of Goldman provoked a negative reaction of the authorities and, as a consequence, she was deprived of U.S. citizenship. Nevertheless, he still remained the most famous and leading anarchist and feminist of the USA.

As a political activist, Emma Goldman promoted the ideas of modern libertarianism. In the 1900s, sudden, explosive, and deeply disoriented changes occurred in the USA. National boundaries expanded enormously, which contributed to immigration, capitalism, and technology. Her opposition to capitalism was reflected in Goldmans further actions. Through outspoken activism and anarchist politics, Goldman fought against capitalism, wars, and womens oppression. Emma Goldman was not only a feminist and anarchist but also an incredible public speaker and writer. Her life was characterized with anarchism, and she led this movement. Goldman struggled against the powerful government all her life. After emigration to the USA at a young age, the activist carried the Russian Empires injustice with her and hoped that her new life in the USA would be fairer. However, after recognizing that the country had the same problems as her native land, Goldman began to follow anarchist views and challenged the oppressive policy promoted by the U.S. government. As a result, the officials spied and hounded her and tried to find a reason to deport her from the country. When Goldman criticized the citizen draft for the World War I, the U.S. authorities reached a decision to deport her. Afterwards, the famous anarchist returned to Russia, where she became an eminent intellectual.

In his book Emma Goldman: American Individualist, John Chalberg has covered the major events of Goldmans life and political views and principles that motivated her to act radically. Individualism and suppression of all personal prejudices were the core aspects of the activists anti-war propaganda. Due to her firm position, Goldman severely opposed World War II against Nazi Germany. Chalberg honored one of the most prominent women of the 20th century and considered that this controversial and radical figure deserved more attention than she received initially. In his biography, the author depicted Goldman as a brave female activist who challenged the legitimacy of private property, government, and religion in the USA. Despite imprisonment and consequent deportation, the anarchist never lost hope that the national and foreign policymaking processes would change only through protection of civil liberties and radicalism. The way Goldman advocated was admirable; her actions, efforts, and perseverance served as a good lesson and example to her adherents.

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The ardent anarchist was an integral part of dissent culture, and she knew that would bear responsibility for expression of distinct views. In reality, anarchism was popular at that time. It gained the same recognition as progressivism, populism, utopianism, communism, and socialism. These were the systems of beliefs and ideas that affected and challenged the dominant political and social culture.

According to Ferguson, Goldman invested a great deal in certain reforms; she worked hard to create and legitimate recognition of political prisoners in the American renal system and she recommended the decriminalization of prostitution as a needed first step toward womens liberation. The anarchist and activist believed that the state should not legislate/ authorize individual freedom and social justice. Instead, she encouraged to completely transform social values and economic relations inside the country and those with foreign states. When delivering her critical messages to the audience, Goldman also tested tolerance for dissent in the democratic society. She also believed that ignorance generates violence, and this issue should be properly addressed.

In addition to criticizing political structure and excessive power, Goldman opposed the functioning of the institution of marriage. The activist considered that it restricted the freedom of both females and males. Moreover, this institution gave individuals a false sense of security. Apart from being an anarchist, activist, and advocate for human rights, Goldman was a talented public speaker who toured the USA, lecturing about pressing issues such as anti-militarism, education, womens rights, freedom, birth control, and politics. The famous activist believed that only anarchism could produce political, spiritual, and socio-economic emancipation, and government regulation is not necessary in this case. Because of ardent support of anarchism, Goldman faced constant threats from police and officials, who sought to suppress her critical messages and radical position. As an anarchist, Goldman was highly opposed to violence. However, she considered that if people want to stop assassinations, they should first remove conditions that produce them (Bundy 31 min). Although the anarchist was arrested, detained and imprisoned, she never renounced her ideas. According to Zinn, Emma Goldman was not postponing the changing of womans condition to some future socialist era-she wanted action more direct, more immediate, than the vote. Goldman severely condemned the participation of the USA in World War I. She considered that the main issue pursued by officials was to protect economic interests of rich people. In addition, the activist encouraged young people to exercise their fundamental rights relating to free choice. She also resisted mandatory military service.

In accordance with the laws on anarchism and incitement to insurrection, Goldman, as a foreign citizen, was regularly arrested for her activity and the official bodies initiated her deportation. In the course of time, she was prohibited from entering the USA. As a result, she spent the rest of her life in Canada and European countries. After the deportation, Goldman came to Russia, where she started leading an active political life, supported the Bolsheviks, whom she sympathized with while living in the USA. However, the anarchist was later disappointed in the regime established by the Soviet officials. She believed that the communist regime in the Soviet Union directly suppressed individuals and their freedom. The famous anarchist documented her impressions about Russia, revolution, and the main events of that time in her books. Disillusionment in the Soviet regime forced Goldman to leave her homeland and go to the United Kingdom, where she continued her campaign activities promoting ideas of anarchism and feminism. When visiting different countries and changing residence, Emma Goldman always preached her thoughts to other people.

Goldmans lectures mainly focused on the political aspect of personal life and the role women played in the suffrage movement. The activist also advocated for free love, considering it liberation for both parties engaged in the union, and highly opposed the stifling marriage for females. As an anarchist, Goldman sought to become a living example of ongoing struggle for justice, equality, and peoples fundamental rights. Throughout her lifetime, the activist frequently wrote about the pressing issues of that time, including feminism, sexuality, atheism, labor issues, politics, and anarchism. Due to the fact that the anarchist was always vocal in personal life and its relationship with social and political forces, she gained significant popularity in the country and overseas. However, officials and opponents continued threating Goldman for her persuasive powers and anarchist views, and most of her topics were considered taboo, Furthermore, the authorities often banned her lecturers, claiming that they undermine political stability and social order in the country. Despite restrictions and obstacles, Emma Goldman continued fighting for womens rights and free speech, which she considered to be critically important aspects in the democratic society.

To conclude, Emma Goldman was one of the most eminent figures of the twentieth century. Although numerous authors and historians dedicated their books to her fate and struggle, John Chalberg offered a new perspective and insight into Goldmans life. The author considered her not only an ardent anarchist and activist but also a brave woman fighting for females rights and overcoming obstacles on her way. Goldmans life was extraordinary mostly due to the fact that she led a long and stubborn struggle against powerful authorities, which were concerned only with their fate and financial interests. After emigration to the USA, Goldman carried injustice that she constantly observed when living in Russia with her. She thought that emigration would provide her with new opportunities and her life in the United States would be fairer. After recognizing that the USA and Soviet Union had many similarities, she began her struggle against injustice and humiliation by gender. Through writing, lecturing, and campaigning, Emma Goldman promoted the ideas of anarchism. Officials severely condemned Goldmans actions, but she continuously moved towards the realization of the set goals. Unfortunately, officials deported Goldman, and the activist was forced to live away from her homeland.