Study Guide: Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
1. The Age of Social Change: Comparing Ideologies
The French Revolution (1789) was a watershed moment that opened the
possibility of restructuring society. It shifted social and economic power away
from the traditional aristocracy and the church, introducing radical new ideas
regarding individual rights. This era forced a debate across Europe and Asia on
who should control social power.
Political Tendencies in 19th Century Europe
Property, Privilege, and
Group Views on Change and Voting Rights
Religion
Favored gradual change to Opposed the uncontrolled
safeguard individual rights; power of dynastic rulers;
Liberals opposed Universal Adult tolerated all religions and
Franchise (believed only men of opposed state-favored
property should vote). churches.
Wanted a nation where Opposed the privileges of great
government was based on the landowners; disliked the
Radicals
majority; supported women’s concentration of property in a
suffragette movements. few hands.
Initially opposed all change; later Favored the established
Conservati accepted it as inevitable if the past aristocratic order and
ves was respected through a slow traditional state churches (e.g.,
process. Church of England).
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2. Industrialization and the Social Problem
The Industrial Revolution brought rapid urban growth but failed to provide
immediate social security.
Impact of the Industrial Revolution
Working Hours: Men, women, and children faced grueling schedules. In
factories, the day was 10 to 12 hours, but in craft units and small
workshops, it often stretched to 15 hours.
Wages: Generally poor; real wages (the actual purchasing power of
earnings) often declined during economic shifts.
Unemployment: Common, especially during periods of low industrial
demand.
Living Conditions: Rapid town growth created severe crises in housing
and sanitation.
The Liberal and Radical Stance Liberals and radicals—many of whom were
property owners—believed that society would develop if the benefits of
individual effort, labor, and enterprise were encouraged. They argued that if the
, poor could labor and those with capital could operate without restraint, the
economy would flourish. They opposed the old aristocracy's privileges by birth.
Visual Insight: Figure 1 Figure 1 depicts the London poor in the mid-
nineteenth century. This illustration highlights the grim reality of the era,
showing the overcrowded, impoverished conditions and the lack of sanitation
that defined the lives of the working class.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. The Foundations of Socialist and Communist Thought
Socialism emerged as a critique of private property, which socialists viewed as
the root of all social ills. They argued that while property owners provided
employment, they were concerned only with personal gain rather than the
welfare of the workers who made the property productive.
Thinker Profiles
Robert Owen: An English manufacturer who advocated for cooperatives,
seeking to build a community called "New Harmony" in Indiana (USA).
Louis Blanc: A French socialist who demanded that the government
encourage cooperatives to replace capitalist enterprises, where members
divided profits based on work done.
Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels:
o Capitalist Society: Marx argued that capitalists owned the capital
and factories, but the profit was produced solely by the workers.
o Surplus Profit: Conditions would not improve as long as this profit
was accumulated privately.
o Communist Society: Marx called for a "natural society of the
future" where all property was socially controlled.
International Spread To coordinate their efforts, socialists formed the Second
International. Associations formed in Germany (the SPD) and Britain (the
Labour Party in 1905). The Socialist Party in France was also established in
1905 to represent these radical interests.
Visual Insight: Figure 2 Figure 2 shows the Paris Commune of 1871, a
"peoples' government" of workers and professionals. It serves as a symbol of
socialist struggle, remembered for adopting the workers’ red flag.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Russia Under the Tsar: Economy and Society
In 1914, Tsar Nicholas II ruled an empire that was largely agrarian and
significantly less industrialized than its neighbors.
Agricultural Dominance: 85% of the population were agriculturists. For
comparison, France and Germany were only at 40% to 50% agricultural
involvement.
1. The Age of Social Change: Comparing Ideologies
The French Revolution (1789) was a watershed moment that opened the
possibility of restructuring society. It shifted social and economic power away
from the traditional aristocracy and the church, introducing radical new ideas
regarding individual rights. This era forced a debate across Europe and Asia on
who should control social power.
Political Tendencies in 19th Century Europe
Property, Privilege, and
Group Views on Change and Voting Rights
Religion
Favored gradual change to Opposed the uncontrolled
safeguard individual rights; power of dynastic rulers;
Liberals opposed Universal Adult tolerated all religions and
Franchise (believed only men of opposed state-favored
property should vote). churches.
Wanted a nation where Opposed the privileges of great
government was based on the landowners; disliked the
Radicals
majority; supported women’s concentration of property in a
suffragette movements. few hands.
Initially opposed all change; later Favored the established
Conservati accepted it as inevitable if the past aristocratic order and
ves was respected through a slow traditional state churches (e.g.,
process. Church of England).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Industrialization and the Social Problem
The Industrial Revolution brought rapid urban growth but failed to provide
immediate social security.
Impact of the Industrial Revolution
Working Hours: Men, women, and children faced grueling schedules. In
factories, the day was 10 to 12 hours, but in craft units and small
workshops, it often stretched to 15 hours.
Wages: Generally poor; real wages (the actual purchasing power of
earnings) often declined during economic shifts.
Unemployment: Common, especially during periods of low industrial
demand.
Living Conditions: Rapid town growth created severe crises in housing
and sanitation.
The Liberal and Radical Stance Liberals and radicals—many of whom were
property owners—believed that society would develop if the benefits of
individual effort, labor, and enterprise were encouraged. They argued that if the
, poor could labor and those with capital could operate without restraint, the
economy would flourish. They opposed the old aristocracy's privileges by birth.
Visual Insight: Figure 1 Figure 1 depicts the London poor in the mid-
nineteenth century. This illustration highlights the grim reality of the era,
showing the overcrowded, impoverished conditions and the lack of sanitation
that defined the lives of the working class.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. The Foundations of Socialist and Communist Thought
Socialism emerged as a critique of private property, which socialists viewed as
the root of all social ills. They argued that while property owners provided
employment, they were concerned only with personal gain rather than the
welfare of the workers who made the property productive.
Thinker Profiles
Robert Owen: An English manufacturer who advocated for cooperatives,
seeking to build a community called "New Harmony" in Indiana (USA).
Louis Blanc: A French socialist who demanded that the government
encourage cooperatives to replace capitalist enterprises, where members
divided profits based on work done.
Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels:
o Capitalist Society: Marx argued that capitalists owned the capital
and factories, but the profit was produced solely by the workers.
o Surplus Profit: Conditions would not improve as long as this profit
was accumulated privately.
o Communist Society: Marx called for a "natural society of the
future" where all property was socially controlled.
International Spread To coordinate their efforts, socialists formed the Second
International. Associations formed in Germany (the SPD) and Britain (the
Labour Party in 1905). The Socialist Party in France was also established in
1905 to represent these radical interests.
Visual Insight: Figure 2 Figure 2 shows the Paris Commune of 1871, a
"peoples' government" of workers and professionals. It serves as a symbol of
socialist struggle, remembered for adopting the workers’ red flag.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Russia Under the Tsar: Economy and Society
In 1914, Tsar Nicholas II ruled an empire that was largely agrarian and
significantly less industrialized than its neighbors.
Agricultural Dominance: 85% of the population were agriculturists. For
comparison, France and Germany were only at 40% to 50% agricultural
involvement.
