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Reformers and Revolutionaries
In this lesson, students will be able to identify the following terms:
UnionsKarl MarxProletariat
Communism
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There were many problems created byindustrialization. From child labor to low
wages, many injustices occurred.
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By the late 19th century, the misery ofthe working classes and the injustices ofcapitalism disturbed the consciences of
many of the new middle class.
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Workers organized unions. A union isan organization of workers that promotes
higher wages and better conditions.
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After strikes and struggling for better conditions, laws began to limit child labor
and ensure shorter working hours.
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However, some individuals,like Karl Marx and Friedrich
Engels had revolutionary ideas.They published
The Communist Manifesto in 1848.
These ideas became thebasis of Communism or
Marxism.
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The Class Struggle
• Marx believed that society was divided into two classes: the bourgeoisie (owners of capital and factories) and the proletariat (workers).
• Marx believed that these classes would always be in conflict with one another.
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Marx believed the wealthy bourgeoisie lived off the labor of their workers.
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Owners cheated their workers by taking mostof the wealth workers’ produced. The
bourgeoisie profited while workers starved.
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Marx believed that the bourgeoisiewould never peacefully give up theirwealth and power. He believed that
only a revolution would change society.
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Only a revolution could alter society.Marx believed that the bourgeoisie
had to be forcefully removed from power.
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“Workers of theworld unite; youhave nothing tolose but your
chains.” Karl Marx
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Dictatorship of the Proletariat
• After overthrowing the bourgeoisie, workers would jointly own the land, labor, and capital of the nation.
• A dictatorship would be necessary to ensure economic equality.
• However, the dictatorship would eventually “wither away”.
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Questions for Reflection:
• What problems were created by industrialization?
• Why did workers form unions and what changes did unions promote?
• Who was Karl Marx and what did he believe?
• Why were the proletariat exploited?• What are the key beliefs of communism?