Marxism: Radical Socialism

Marxism: Radical Socialism

World History

Lesson Objectives

• Explain the origins of Marxism.

• Describe other reform movements of the 1800s.

Industrialization opened a wide gap between the rich and the poor.

Reformers felt that government needed to play an active role to improve conditions for the poor and give more rights and protection to workers.

Marxism

• Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels introduced a radical type of Socialism called Marxism in their 23-page pamphlet The Communist Manifesto.

The Communist Manifesto

• In the book, Marx and Engels argued that human societies have always been divided into warring classes: "haves" or the bourgeoisie and "have-nots" or the proletariat.

• They claim that the Industrial Revolution had enriched the wealthy and impoverished the poor.

• They predicted that the workers would overthrow the owners: "Proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Workingmen of all countries, unite."

Multiple Choice

How are socialism and communism similar?

• Both believe that governments should be overthrown.

• Both believe that workers should control the government.

• Both believe that their should be no upper, middle, or lower classes.

• Both believe that capitalism causes poor working and living conditions.

Open Ended

Why did Karl Marx consider his economic theory of communism to be a form of complete socialism?

Reform movements rose in response to the negative impact of industrialization. These reforms included social reforms, such as improving the workplace, and democratic reforms, like extending the right to vote to a working-class men. The period also witnessed calls to end slavery and the promotion of new rights for women and children.

Reform Movement Spreads

• Abolition of Slavery - Britain abolished slavery in its empire in 1833 while US ended theirs after the Union won the Civil War in 1865. Other countries ended slavery such as Puerto Rico in 1873, Spain 1886, and Brazil in 1888.

• Women's Rights - women led reform movements to address the pressing issues such as the working conditions.

• Other reforms: public education and prison reforms were prioritized in the US and the promotion of democratic principles in Great Britain.

Individual Activity

Access the assignment posted on google classroom and submit it before our class ends.