1. Marxist Theory and the Dual Revolution
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels – The Communist Manifesto (1848)
The “class struggle” “Freeman and slave, patrician and plebian, guild- master and slave . . .the history of all hitherto existing society is a history of class struggles.”
Originally a theory, not a plan of action. Scale of analysis was England and predictions centered on England and Western Europe.

3. Western Europe did not become Communist. Why not?
Before capitalism and industrialization you had manoralism/feudalism.
Feudalism – kings and lords give land to nobles in exchange for military service, and almost everyone else worked the land and made little profit and had essentially no rights (except for the clergy).
Huge shift: French Revolution ( ), nobility’s days were numbered thereafter
According to Marxist theory, a new economic relationship in industrial age formed to take the place of the noble/peasant class struggle
the bourgeoisie (owners of means of production) and the proletariat (wage-earners)

6. Western Europe did not become Communist. Why not?
Marx thought the proletariat’s position would get worse but . . .it actually got better. How?
The Dual Revolution – 1.) democratic reform 2.) industrial based economies
- the right to vote, fair work days, fair wages, abolishment of child labor, the right to unionize, govt. regulations on businesses to protect workers – all secured by citizens (well, just white citizens at this point)
- life in cities

7. Western Europe today: Democratic Socialism
Nationalization of key industries – banks, transportation, communications, media
Progressive taxation
Social welfare – govt. funded health care, social security, education, art institutions, parks and recreation, etc.
Class divisions still exist but everyone has decent standard of living, thus they are less likely to revolt.

8. What happened in Russia?
Pre-1917 Revolution: Russia hadn’t experienced as much capitalism, nor industrialization, and had few democratic reforms.
Still a tsar in power: Tsar Nicholas II
Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, were victorious after Civil War: they thought that a classless society could be achieved in their lifetime, They took Marxist Theory and put it into a plan of action.
Radical changes, some accompanied by massive death, starvation, and suffering – Great Purges ( ) under Joseph Stalin. ~1 million killed
Soviet-style Totalitarian Communism ultimately failed in 1991.

10. Marxist Theory and Dual Revolution wrap-up
According to Marxist theory, communist revolutions should come industrialized countries, led by industrial workers.
In reality, the bulk of communist revolutions have come in less developed countries, where peasants/farmers have played the leading role.
Most “Marxists” in highly industrialized countries are NOT revolutionary.
“In essence, the govt. of a country which has had a dual revolution is much harder to overthrow than the govt. of one which hasn’t.”