1. Labor, Socialism, and Politics to World War I

2. Trade Unionism  As factory workers predominated, they formed trade unions, democratic political parties, and socialism  Europe suffered rash of strikes the decade before WWI to keep wages in line with inflation  Unions slowly became legal throughout Europe, thus wages and working conditions improved

3. Democracy and Political Parties All major European states adopted democratic electoral systems and universal male suffrage except Russia. With expanded voter population came rise of political parties who organized them Socialist party became divided over those who wanted a revolution and those who wanted democratic reform.

4. Karl Marx and the First International 1864 – International Working Mens Association founded by British and French Unionists Paris Commune was violent and gave socialism a bad reputation. Britain didn’t want anything to do with this.

5. Great Britain: Fabianism and Early Welfare Programs Marxism and Socialism were not successful in Britain Keir Herdie became first independence working man to be elected to parliament. 1906 – New Labour Party founded. Conservative party split over Chamberlains inability to match foreign tariffs and finance social reform Insurance act of 1911 provides unemployment benefits and health care

6. France: “Opportunism” Rejected Socialism was split: Jean Jaures wanted cooperation with middle class radical ministries in order to get social legislation passed Jules Guesde found it contradictory to support the burgeouis cabinet, because they were intent on overthrowing it. Oppurtunism was condemned in France, socialist parties united

7. Germany: Social democrats and Revisionism German Social Democratic Party (SPD) was divided between war and revolution Erfurt program declared imminent doom of capitalism and sought socialist ownership of the means of production Bernstein’s “Evolutionary Socialism” pointed out flaws in Marxism and advocated democratic social change. This became known as revisionism, and was eventually condemned by other socialists.

8. Russia’s Industrial Development 1890: Russia enters Industrial age under Sergei Witte Railways grew, steel production rose, factories spread Agriculture suffered as a result of emancipation of serfs Population exploded, hunger became prevalent

9. Political Parties in Russia Populist party opposed revolution, supported communal society. Constitutional Democratic Party (cadets) wanted to model Russia after western countries and make it a constitutional monarchy Social Democrats were Marxist in ideals. Socialism was difficult because of small working class

10. Bolshevism Lenin argued it was best to have secretive, selective revolutionary organization. His party became known as the Bolsheviks, or “majority” Mensheviks were opposing revolutionary party, who advocated mass membership

11. Russia’s Revolution Industrialization stirred resentment Jan 22, 1905 (Bloody Sunday) Workers presenting peaceful petition to Tsar were fired on by guards and 200 were killed. All trust in government was lost