>>38
The american revolution still fits into my equation and it shows why it worked. For a start practically the entire population was pro-independance including many of the powerful, the British were not very totalitarian and large groups could gather in the countryside or in speaking places without substantial contest from british authorities, british spies couldn't do anything other than observe or attempt to influence people not to support revolution. The British were by no means democratic, but incidents of totalitarian behaviour on part of the british were very mild for instance when compared to the Mongol hoarde's invasion of the Khwarazmian empire in the 13th century which saw nearly the entire population slaughterred mercilesly, crops salted and cities burned to the ground, these incidents also occurred long after militia groups had been formed.
Long story short it didn't take much espionage for the guerilla forces to be organised. A couple of speakers on horseback might not constitute espionage, but it served the same purpose.