19th Century Labor Movements and Political Ideologies
Early Labor Movement
Workers formed organizations to remedy injustices caused by capitalism. Luddism involved attacking machines, spreading to France, Belgium, and Spain. Workers realized the problem was capitalism, not machines. Working partnerships emerged for mutual aid. In English cities, mobilizations were driven by unionism, with Robert Owen’s influence. Trade Unions grew to 500,000 members but were declared illegal. Chartism aimed to form political parties defending workers’ rights, advocating for universal suffrage and parliamentary reforms.
Utopian Socialism
Socialism advocated public ownership of production and distribution. Utopian socialism proposed idealistic models. Thinkers were often bourgeois philanthropists.
English Thinkers
Robert Owen founded a cooperative farm, “New Harmony,” in the U.S., which failed.
French Thinkers
Saint-Simon divided citizens into productive and non-active, favoring government intervention. Charles Fourier advocated for phalansteries, cooperative communities. Cabet supported collectivization and direct democracy. Louis Blanc favored seizing power democratically and nationalizing key sectors. Blanqui believed in a working dictatorship through conspiracy. Proudhon emphasized equality and cooperation.
Chartism
A UK movement for political and social reform, based on the “People’s Charter.”
Marxism
Developed by Karl Marx and Engels, it critiqued capitalism using historical materialism. Advocated for a proletarian revolution to establish a temporary dictatorship and dismantle the bourgeois state.
Plusvalue
Profit generated by workers, held by capitalists.
Anarchism
Revolutionary doctrine rejecting authority, advocated by Bakunin for an egalitarian society through spontaneous revolution and collectivization.
First International (1864-1881)
Founded in London, aimed to unite workers globally. Internal conflicts between Marx and Bakunin led to its decline.
Commune of Paris
A popular insurrection in Paris after France’s defeat, suppressed by government forces.
International Crisis
Conflicts between Marx and Bakunin led to the First International’s dissolution.
French Revolution
Began in 1789, introducing liberalism and challenging the monarchy. Driven by the bourgeoisie and supported by workers and peasants.
Causes of the Revolution
Rising prices, business boom, and the bourgeoisie’s lack of political power. Peasantry faced increased burdens.
Beginning of the Revolution
Nobility and clergy refused to pay taxes, leading to the Estates-General. The Third Estate formed the National Assembly.
National Constituent Assembly
Abolished feudalism, declared citizens’ rights, established a constitutional monarchy, and reorganized the territory.
Fall of the Monarchy
The royal family’s attempted escape led to their arrest and the monarchy’s downfall.
National Convention
Girondins abolished the monarchy, followed by the Jacobins’ Reign of Terror.
Girondins Convention
Faced problems like King Louis XVI’s fate and peasant insurrections.
Jacobin Convention
Established a revolutionary government, suspended guarantees, and implemented social reforms.
Bourgeois Revolution (1795-1799)
Consolidated bourgeois gains, ended radical stages, and led to Napoleon’s rise.