19th Century Revolutionary Ideologies and Movements

Revolutionary Ideologies

During the 19th century, alongside the working-class movement, several revolutionary ideologies emerged. These ideologies promoted working-class interests and aimed to transform society through a workers' revolution.

Marxism

Marxism was an ideology developed by Karl Marx based on his analysis of politics and the economy. He sought the establishment of a communist society led by the following stages:

• Class struggle: The oppressed proletariat would organize themselves and struggle against their oppressors, the capitalist bourgeoisie. Their objective would be to gain political power.
• The dictatorship of the working classes: Once they had achieved political power, the working classes would establish a new social and political order.
• The communist economy: Private property (capitalism) would be abolished. The means of production would be owned by the state.
• The communist society: The class-based society would disappear because everybody would have the same relationship with the means of production. Society would be equal and without classes.

Anarchism

Anarchism was first developed by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. He supported the overthrow of capitalism via a social revolution. The main principles were:

• Individual freedom: People had to fight against authority or institutions that limited freedom.
• Direct action: Each citizen should represent himself.
• The abolition of private property: Society would be organized into independent communes.

The International

In the second half of the 19th century, the leaders of workers' organizations from various European countries began to meet, as they were aware that the proletariat faced the same problems in different countries. They formed an organization known as the International.

• The First International: Founded in London in 1864, it included working-class organizations and advocates of revolutionary ideologies from various countries. In 1876, it was dissolved due to various disagreements between Marxists and anarchists.
• The Second International: Established in Paris in 1889, May 1st was established as an international day of protest for workers' rights. This only included socialist parties; trade unions and anarchists were not members. It was dissolved in 1914 when the First World War began.