Amanda Smith SOC 100 February 20, 2015 Karl Marx Amanda Smith SOC 100 February 20, 2015

Karl Marx: early years Born in 1818 in Trier, Prussia Oldest surviving boy of 9 children Parents were Jewish Father converted to Lutheranism because of laws barring Jews from high society Baptized at 6 into Lutheranism but later became atheist.

University Years University of Berlin (History.com, 2009) Law Philosophy First introduced to philosophy of G.W.F. Hegel Joined Young Hegelians Group challenged existing institutions and ideas on all fronts including religion, philosophy, ethics and politics (History.com, 2009)

Marx becomes a revolutionary After graduating, Marx began writing for the liberal democratic newspaper Rheinische Zeitung He became editor in 1842 1843 the paper was banned by Prussian government citing it was to radical 1843 moved to Paris with his wife and met Friedrich Engels Engels became Marx’s life long collaborator and friend 1845 Engels and Marx published a criticism of Bauer’s Young Hegelian philosophy called “The Holy Father” (History.com, 2009)

Marx becomes a revolutionary (continued) Prussian government intervened in 1845 to get Marx expelled from France Engels and Marx moved to Belgium Marx renounced his Prussian citizenship 1847 the newly drafted Communist League in London commissioned Marx and Engels to write “The Communist Manifesto” (History.com, 2009)

The communist manifesto Reflects an attempt to explain goals of Communism and theory underlying the movement Argues class struggles are motivating force behind all historical developments States Capitalism is inherently unstable Revolution is necessary because reforms and changes in government will not resolve the issue (Spark Notes, 2015)

Excerpt of the communist manifesto The communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Working men of all countries unite! (marxist.org, 2015)

Das kapital 1864 Marx helped found the International Workingmen’s Association. 1867 the first volume of “Das Kapital” (Capital) was published. Marx desired to reveal “the economic law of motion of modern society.” He theorized that capitalism contained seeds of its own destruction and communism would prevail. (history.com, 2015)

Marx’s final years Volumes II and III of Das Kapital were completed by 1860 but Marx would work on the manuscripts until his death. Engels published these volumes posthumously. 1864 Marx was elected to the General Council of First International. His health deteriorated. Wife and eldest daughter died. Marx traveled to European spas and Algeria in search of healing. Marx passed in 1883 from pleurisy. (historyguide.org, 2015)

Excerpt of Engels’ Eulogy An immeasurable loss has been sustained both by the militant proletariat of Europe and America, and by historical science, in the death of this man. The gap that has been left by the departure of this mighty spirit will soon enough make itself felt. (historyguide.com, 2015)

References Kreis, S. (2008, January 30). Karl Marx. Retrieved from The History Guide: Lectures on Modern European Intellectual History: http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/marx.html Marx, K., & Engels, F. (2015). Communist Manifesto. Retrieved from Marxists.org: hyyp://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist- manifesto/ch04.htm Sparknotes. (2015). Communist Manifesto Summary. Retrieved from Sparknotes.com: http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/communist/summary.html Staff, H. (2009). Karl Marx. Retrieved from History.com: http://www.history.com/topics/karl- marx