19th Century Social Transformation & Labor Movements

Social Change and Class Society

The New Class Society

During this period, people were differentiated by their merits and work. This led to the emergence of distinct social classes:

The New Ruling Class: The Bourgeoisie

The bourgeoisie was the upward social group. They acceded to political power, enriched themselves through economic activities, and promoted their ideology. Differences within the bourgeoisie included:

• The Gentry: Lived on their properties.
• Major Industrialists and Traders: Sought to ennoble themselves by buying titles.
• Middle Bourgeoisie: Composed of officials and professionals.
• Petty Bourgeoisie: Included shopkeepers and artisans.

The New Dominated Class: The Proletariat

The proletariat was a social group made up of industrial employees. Its members were often peasants who had migrated to the cities. Their working conditions were poor, characterized by:

• Work lasting between 14 and 16 hours a day.
• Labor carried out in unsafe factories.
• A pace dictated by machines.
• Miserable living conditions for workers.
• Working-class neighborhoods becoming focal points for disease.

Labor Movements, Socialism, and Early Revolutions

The Labor Movement

The labor movement encompassed collective actions carried out by workers to improve their economic and political conditions.

• In the Beginning:
  • Promoted violence against the destruction of machines (Luddism).
  • Established mutual aid societies, where members paid a fee in exchange for assistance.
• At a Later Date:
  • Labor unions or associations were established.
  • Their objectives included the improvement of working conditions, universal suffrage, and the right of association.

Socialism and Anarchism: Critiques of Capitalism

Socialism

Formulated by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, its primary goal was to eliminate private property. To achieve this, a revolution led by the proletariat was deemed necessary, which would allow them to access power and establish the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Anarchism

Formulated by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon and Mikhail Bakunin, its aim was to achieve maximum individual freedom. Anarchists fought against anything that would limit this freedom, including the State, private property, and religious beliefs.

The First International

Unions from various countries integrated with socialists and anarchists to fight against capitalism. However, it failed due to internal disputes:

• Marxists: Were in favor of forming political parties.
• Anarchists: Were in favor of revolutionary unionism.