Socialism in 19th Century Europe

Socialism in Europe

• Rise of Socialism: Emerged in the 19th century as a response to industrialization and exploitation of workers.
• Key figures:
  • Karl Marx: German philosopher and economist who wrote "Das Kapital" and "The Communist Manifesto".
  • Friedrich Engels: German philosopher and historian who collaborated with Marx.
  • Jean Jaurès: French socialist leader who advocated for reformism.
• Types of Socialism:
  • Utopian Socialism: Focus on creating a perfect society through gradual reforms. Examples: Charles Fourier, Robert Owen.
  • Scientific Socialism: Based on Marx's ideas, emphasizing class struggle and revolution. Examples: Marx, Engels.
• Socialist movements:
  • First International (1864-1876): Founded by Marx, aimed to unite workers across Europe.
  • Second International (1889-1916): Divided into reformist and revolutionary factions.
  • Socialist parties: Formed in various European countries, such as Germany, France, and Britain.

Russian Revolution

• Causes:
  • Poverty and inequality: Widespread poverty and economic inequality among the Russian population.
  • War and economic crisis: Russia's involvement in WWI and subsequent economic crisis.
  • Autocratic rule: Repressive government under Tsar Nicholas II.
• Key events:
  • February Revolution (1917): Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, and a provisional government was established.
  • October Revolution (1917): Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power and established the Soviet government.
• Key figures:
  • Vladimir Lenin: Leader of the Bolsheviks and founder of the Soviet Union.
  • Leon Trotsky: Key figure in the Russian Revolution and later Soviet leader.
  • Joseph Stalin: Rose to power after Lenin's death and established a totalitarian regime.
• Consequences:
  • Establishment of the Soviet Union: World's first socialist state.
  • Redistribution of land and wealth: Nationalization of industries and redistribution of land to peasants.
  • Repression and terror: Lenin's regime was marked by repression and terror, which continued under Stalin.

Socialism in Europe

• Emerged in the 19th century as a response to industrialization and exploitation of workers.
• Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels collaborated on "Das Kapital" and "The Communist Manifesto".
• Jean Jaurès advocated for reformism in France.

Types of Socialism

• Utopian Socialism:
  • Focuses on creating a perfect society through gradual reforms.
  • Examples: Charles Fourier, Robert Owen.
• Scientific Socialism:
  • Based on Marx's ideas, emphasizing class struggle and revolution.
  • Examples: Marx, Engels.

Socialist Movements

• First International (1864-1876):
  • Founded by Marx to unite workers across Europe.
• Second International (1889-1916):
  • Divided into reformist and revolutionary factions.
• Socialist parties formed in various European countries, such as Germany, France, and Britain.

Russian Revolution

Causes

• Widespread poverty and economic inequality among the Russian population.
• Russia's involvement in WWI and subsequent economic crisis.
• Repressive government under Tsar Nicholas II.

Key Events

• February Revolution (1917):
  • Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, and a provisional government was established.
• October Revolution (1917):
  • Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power and established the Soviet government.

Key Figures

• Vladimir Lenin:
  • Leader of the Bolsheviks and founder of the Soviet Union.
• Leon Trotsky:
  • Key figure in the Russian Revolution and later Soviet leader.
• Joseph Stalin:
  • Rose to power after Lenin's death and established a totalitarian regime.

Consequences

• Establishment of the Soviet Union:
  • World's first socialist state.
• Redistribution of land and wealth:
  • Nationalization of industries and redistribution of land to peasants.
• Repression and terror:
  • Lenin's regime was marked by repression and terror, which continued under Stalin.