The beginnings of the communist movement

The chapter "The Beginnings of the Communist Movement" traces the origin and development of one of the most important political ideologies of the 19th and 20th centuries. Communism, as a political and social movement, has had a profound influence on world history and shaped numerous political systems. To understand the roots of this ideology, it is important to take a look at the historical, social and economic framework that led to its emergence.

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century, brought massive changes in production and working conditions. The introduction of machines and the shift from artisanal to factory production led to a profound restructuring of society. However, these changes were accompanied by numerous social problems, including poverty, exploitation and inequality.

It was mainly the workers who suffered under the new conditions of production. They were often employed at low wages, worked in dangerous environments and were exposed to inadequate working conditions. The social injustice and exploitation that accompanied the Industrial Revolution led to growing resentment and resistance against the prevailing capitalist system.

In this context, the communist movement developed as a response to the social and economic problems of the time. Its goal was to overcome capitalist production relations and create a society in which the means of production would be collectively owned and goods distributed fairly. The beginnings of this movement can be traced back to various historical events and thinkers who, over time, became important sources of inspiration for the development of communism.

One of the most influential thinkers of early communism was Karl Marx. Together with Friedrich Engels, he published the "Communist Manifesto" in 1848, which became one of the movement's most important writings. In this manifesto, Marx and Engels laid out their vision of a communist society and called for international solidarity among the working class. Marx's comprehensive analysis of the capitalist mode of production, his theory of class struggle, and his notion of historical materialism formed the foundations for the communist worldview. Marx and Engels argued that capitalism would inevitably lead to class conflict, which would eventually lead to the proletarian revolution. This revolution would overthrow the capitalist system and pave the way for the construction of communism.

The ideas of Marx and Engels were not born out of nowhere, however. They were part of a broader intellectual and political context shaped by other socialist and communist thinkers. Early precursors of communism can be found as early as the Enlightenment and the French Revolution.

One example is the French revolutionary and theorist Gracchus Babeuf, who proposed a radical egalitarian society in the late 18th century. Babeuf dreamed of a world in which private property would be abolished and goods would be distributed equally among people. Although his rebellion ultimately failed and he was executed, his ideas influenced later communist thinkers and contributed to the development of the communist movement.

Another important precursor of communism was the utopian socialist Charles Fourier. Fourier believed that society should be organized into autonomous and harmonious units, which he called "phalanxes." In these phalanxes, people should work together and divide the proceeds of their labor fairly. Fourier was convinced that this would lead to a state of prosperity and happiness for all. Although Fourier's ideas did not directly correspond to later communist theories, they contributed to the development of a critique of the capitalist system and inspired other thinkers.

Another important current within the early communist movement was anarcho-communism. Anarcho-communists, such as Mikhail Bakunin and Peter Kropotkin, rejected the state as a form of organization and called for a revolutionary transformation of society toward a liberal communist order. They emphasized the importance of grassroots organizations and direct action by the working class. Anarcho-communists contributed to the development of a revolutionary wing within communism and influenced later communist movements and theorists.

While the communist movement was initially characterized by different currents and ideas, certain common goals and methods emerged over time. The working class was seen as the driving force for social change, and class struggle was seen as a path to liberation from capitalist exploitation and oppression. The communist movement sought to transfer the means of production into the hands of the working class and to establish a classless society in which goods were distributed fairly and everyone worked according to their abilities and lived according to their needs.

During the 19th century, the communist movement gained influence and developed into an international political force. Communism gained popularity and followers in Europe, particularly in Germany, France, and Russia. Industrialization and the accompanying worsening of social problems created fertile ground for the spread of communist ideas.

In Germany, the Social Democratic Workers' Party (SDAP) played a significant role in the early communist movement. Founded in 1869, the SDAP advocated for the rights of the working class and sought reforms within the existing political system. However, the Marxist wing within the party, led by August Bebel and Wilhelm Liebknecht, pursued the goal of revolutionary transformation of society and the overthrow of the capitalist system.

In France, the Paris Commune of 1871 helped strengthen the communist movement. The Paris Commune was a revolutionary attempt to build a self-governing communist society. Although the Commune was ultimately crushed, it influenced the subsequent course of communism and inspired communist revolutionaries around the world.

A significant event that left a lasting mark on the history of the communist movement was the October Revolution of 1917 in Russia. The Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power and established the world's first communist government. Putting the ideas of Marx and Engels into practice, the Bolsheviks pursued radical socialist policies based on the collectivization of the means of production and the establishment of a dictatorship of the proletariat.

The October Revolution had a tremendous impact on the global communist movement. It inspired revolutionary aspirations in other countries and led to the establishment of communist parties in many parts of the world. The idea of armed insurrection and the establishment of a communist dictatorship found supporters and opponents alike.

There were numerous attempts to establish communist societies throughout the 20th century, including in countries such as China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam. However, these experiments met with varying degrees of success and controversial outcomes.

A prominent example of the construction of a communist society is the People's Republic of China. Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, the Communist Party of China established a communist government in 1949. The Chinese Revolution aimed to eliminate the feudal order, liberate the peasantry and build an egalitarian society. However, in the course of implementing communist ideals, serious human rights violations were also committed and the country's economic development was difficult.

Another example is Cuba, where Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolutionaries seized power in 1959 and established a communist government. The Cuban Revolution aimed to overthrow the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista and build a socialist society. However, Cuba faced challenges such as US opposition, an embargo and economic difficulties. Nevertheless, the Cuban model was able to influence other Latin American countries.

In addition to the achievements and challenges in building communist societies, there were also internal divisions and ideological differences within the communist movement. In particular, after the death of Joseph Stalin and the subsequent thaw in the Soviet Union in the 1950s, different currents and views of communism emerged.

The development of Soviet communism after the October Revolution of 1917 is of great importance for the history of the communist movement. The Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power and put the ideas of Marx and Engels into practice. The establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922 marked the high point of Soviet communism.

The Soviet government initially sought a rapid transformation of society. Under the slogan "Peace, Bread and Land", it promised to end World War I, improve food supplies and distribute land to peasants. The Bolsheviks carried out land reforms, expropriating the large landowners and transferring the land to the peasants.

In parallel, industry was nationalized and organized in the form of Soviet state-owned enterprises. The centrally planned economy was introduced, with the production and distribution of goods controlled and directed by the state. This system was called "war communism" and was characterized by strong central control and mobilization.

However, war communism was characterized by economic difficulties and social unrest. The country's economy collapsed, food shortages and inflation occurred, and the civil war against opposition forces led to instability and violence. As a result, from the mid-1920s, war communism was gradually replaced by a new political and economic strategy.

Under the leadership of Lenin and later Joseph Stalin, Soviet communism underwent a major transformation. The New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced in 1921, allowed a partial return to the market...