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Reformers and Revolutionaries

In this lesson, students will be able to identify the following terms:

Unions

Karl Marx

Proletariat

Communism

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There were many problems created byindustrialization. From child labor to low

wages, many injustices occurred.

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By the late 19th century, the misery ofthe working classes and the injustices ofcapitalism disturbed the consciences of

many of the new middle class.

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Workers organized unions. A union isan organization of workers that promotes

higher wages and better conditions.

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After strikes and struggling for better conditions, laws began to limit child labor

and ensure shorter working hours.

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However, some individuals,like Karl Marx and Friedrich

Engels had revolutionary ideas.They published

The Communist Manifesto in 1848.

These ideas became thebasis of Communism or

Marxism.

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The Class Struggle

• Marx believed that society was divided into two classes: the bourgeoisie (owners of capital and factories) and the proletariat (workers).

• Marx believed that these classes would always be in conflict with one another.

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Marx believed the wealthy bourgeoisie lived off the labor of their workers.

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Owners cheated their workers by taking mostof the wealth workers’ produced. The

bourgeoisie profited while workers starved.

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Marx believed that the bourgeoisiewould never peacefully give up theirwealth and power. He believed that

only a revolution would change society.

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Only a revolution could alter society.Marx believed that the bourgeoisie

had to be forcefully removed from power.

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“Workers of theworld unite; youhave nothing tolose but your

chains.” Karl Marx

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Dictatorship of the Proletariat

• After overthrowing the bourgeoisie, workers would jointly own the land, labor, and capital of the nation.

• A dictatorship would be necessary to ensure economic equality.

• However, the dictatorship would eventually “wither away”.

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Questions for Reflection:

• What problems were created by industrialization?

• Why did workers form unions and what changes did unions promote?

• Who was Karl Marx and what did he believe?

• Why were the proletariat exploited?

• What are the key beliefs of communism?