Socialism + Marxism

Question 1

Where did the origins of socialism come from?

Answer 1

The French revolution 1789 - 1799

Question 2

What were the 1848 Revolutions?

Answer 2

Many European countries, except Russia, rebelled and try to overthrow their governments.

In the end, the elite nobles divided the rebels by working with the bourgeoisie
The bourgeoisie were allowed to enter government, the working class were not

Question 3

What influence did the bougeoise have when they joined government?

Answer 3

This led to the development of a more progressive and potentially radical set of beliefs
BUT Industrialization was creating a larger gap between the wealthy and the poor - bourgeoisie benefitted, workers did not

Question 4

What happened post 1848?

Answer 4

There was a rise of labour and urbanization
By the late 1800s, reform allows the lower classes access to some power
The middle class elites wanted only moderate change; thought society could be reshaped to reflect their values and to “civilize" the working class

Question 5

What laws did the bourgeoisie pass?

Answer 5

They pass laws on education and try to improve standards of living
- SPCA, public utilities, police etc.
BUT this was coupled with low wages, small government and minimal controls on industrialists

Question 6

What changes did the Socialist want when the middle class were in charge of government?

Answer 6

Socialist wanted a more proactive government and protection of workers rights

Question 7

How did Radicalism start by the late 1800s?

Answer 7

More radical groups broke off and push for extensive reform
including Mikhail Bakunin
“Property is theft”
Anarchism is born

Question 8

When did Karl Marx live and where was he from?

Answer 8

1818-1888

Germany

Question 9

What is Marxism?

Answer 9

An economic and political system of believes based on the ideas of one man – Karl Marx.

Workers should own the means of production and be able to divide profit more equitably.

Question 10

Who and what influenced Marx?

Answer 10

German philosophy  ( Hegal’s theory)
Economic theory (David Ricardo)
French political theory (‘Rousseau)

Question 11

Why did Marx see the need for a more dramatic change (possibly violence)?

Answer 11

He thought the ruling elites and middle class (bourgeoisie) would never give up power willingly.

He wants to overthrow the bourgeoisie with violence.

Question 12

What are the stages of social evolution?

Answer 12

1. Hunter gatherer
2. Ancient
3. Feudal
4. Capitalist
5. Socialist

Question 13

Hunter gatherer

Answer 13

Resources were shared

No extra food, so no need for exploitive class

Question 14

Ancient

Answer 14

The agricultural revolution created extra food, land was bought and controlled by elites

Slavery was the main source of labour

Question 15

Feudal system

Answer 15

The collapse of the Roman empire caused the shift in production as slavery was replaced by peasants

The peasants worked for the ruling class ( Nobles and Church)

Question 16

Capitalist system

Answer 16

The urban bourgeoisie centralized production and created a wage based economy that benefitted them

Question 17

Socialist system

Answer 17

The workers would own the means of production (factories)

Therefore they would be able to divide profit more evenly

Question 18

How did Marx think that Marxism would take place?

Answer 18

Socialism was unwilling to take the necessary steps

They would be a violent overthrow of the bourgeoisie

This would happen when they push their exploitation of the workers too far. It would happen in the industrial centres first.

Question 19

What was Marx’s “dictatorship of the proletariat”?

Answer 19

When the revolution was won, a cadre of committed Marxists would lead the nation.
– Dismantle the old system
– impose a pure form of socialism

Question 20

What is the “workers paradise”?

Answer 20

Once the people were totally educated in the right values and ideas

the cadre could be disbanded and pure communism would prevail

Question 21

Who wrote the Communist Manifesto? When?

Answer 21

Karl Marx and Frederick Engels

1848

Question 22

In the communist manifesto, how did class structure change over history?

Answer 22

They are have often been different classes of history. For example there used to be rulers and slaves in ancient Rome.

Now there were two hostile camps – the bourgeoisie and proletariat (Workers)

Question 23

In the communist manifesto, how do the bourgeoisie control the proletariat?

Answer 23

The proletariat only live if they find work with the bourgeoisie. They pay them only enough to get by, not enough to build their own business.

Question 24

In the communist manifesto, how will the workers improve their lives?

Answer 24

The workers will get together in huge trade unions and eventually rebel against the bourgeoisie.

Question 25

Why does Marx believe that the bourgeoisie cannot sustain the system?

Answer 25

Marx thinks that the bourgeoisie are incompetent and they will not be able to exist without slavery. The workers are feeding the ruler instead of the ruler feeding his people.