Spread of Socialism

October 22, 1878

Bismarck's Social Blunder!

Yesterday, Emperor Bismarck’s introduction of the Anti-Socialist Bill was yet another attempt by the German government to quell the spread of Socialism. Making outrageous claims that Socialist ideals have overrun Germany, precipitating “assassination attempts;” Bismarck’s actions prove the corruption of government elites. The Bill which calls for limiting political freedoms is an attempt to curb the growing popularity of Marx’s ideas. Bismarck calls to disband all organizations that support or use communist ideals that have been claimed to “endanger the peace, in particular, the harmony between different classes of the population.”(1) All meetings where people have socialist “tendencies” intended to “[destroy] the existing order in State or society” must be dissolved.(2) Any printed text supporting communism is forbidden from being produced, also printed material cannot be handed out in public areas. The German government also elected to grant it self the irrational power to deem particular citizens unsafe and restrict their residence from particular areas of a city or in the country. Furthermore any collection of money for the purpose of furthering socialism is forbidden, and money that is thus illegally utilized will be donated to government charities. Surmounting the right to public gathering/demonstration has been revoked, as all meetings must first gain permission from local police.

Marx and Engels could not have been more right! “The Bourgeoisies is unfit any longer to be the ruling class in society and to impose its conditions of existence upon it.”(3) This recent legislation is a sign that the Bourgeoisies realize the potential that we, the proletariat, have. The rich are regulating the lives of the workers to prevent the massive upheaval the Marx prophecies will occur. As our ideas gain in strength and number, the threat of our looming greatness has become imminent. Bismarck’s Anti-Socialist Bill is just a symbol of the government’s fear of the inevitable overthrowing of the elitists.

"Life in the factory has proven to be corrupting and evil for Germany and its peoples."(4) Rich bosses continue to profit from the great personal hardships of their abused workers who receive a small subsistence. Capitalism has corrupted and demoralized German society. With many families having two working spouses, working-class children have grown up to be nuisances to society and my young girls eager for prostitution. Harding working Germans complain their lives are devoid of all worldly pleasures and filled only with factory time. They are slaves to their bosses and their radical work schedules. Constantly trying to lower wages, it is impossible for many keep a job that will pay to keep a family alive.

Thus, Communism and Socialism must be Germany’s answer to this problem. A society based on sharing and community would put an end to long work hours with little pay, starving children, or delinquent youths. The extreme excess that only the elite live in will be shared through out, ending poverty and allowing everyone to be well provided. The only work done solely is done to benefit the community, therefore eliminating the intense schedules and demanding circumstances of working life. With the evils of Capitalism gone, we could then begin to experience our lives free from the anxieties of a hectic work life, allowing us to finally commune with our inner happiness

But we cannot let this reality die with the signing of a bill! The Bourgeoisies now realize that to remain in this corrupt system that maintains only their wealth they must limit what the working class thinks and does. These traditionalists are fighting to keep old ways, but they do not realize the glorious change at hand. If they believe they can abuse us any longer they are wrong! Actions taken to limit worker’s rights will only infuriate working Germans and help spur tensions between the proletariat and our oppressors. We must stand up for what we believe in. How long will the Bourgeoisies hold us down? We must rise up working brothers and put an end to the abusive ways of Capitalism! As the great Marx said, “Workers of the world, unite!”(5)

Aditional Reading:

19th Century Germany

Biography of Karl Marx

Roots of Socialism

Footnotes

1. "The Anti-Socialist Law, 21 October 1878" in Documeents in The Political History of the European Continent, ed. G.A. Kertesz (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1968), 265-266

2. Ibid

3. Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx, Communist Manifesto (1848). Available from: Gale, Studen Resourse Center - Gold, Menlo School Lib. <http://library.menloschool.org> (accessed November 4, 2005).

4. Neuman, R.P., "Industrialization and Sexual Behavior: Some Aspects Of Working-Class Life In Imperial Germany," in Modern European Social History, ed. Robert J. Bezucha (Lexington, Massachusetts: D.C. Heath and Co., 1972), 271-281

5. Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx

Images

"Marx-eng5" (image) Available from: The Marxist Internet Archive Marx-Engels Portraits
— Woodcuts, Paintings and Drawings <http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/photo/art/> (accessed 8 December 2005).

"Victorian_squalor" (image) Available from: Newcastle Archives Images <http://www.timarchive.freeuk.com/assets/images/Victorian_squalor.gif> (accessed 8 December 2005).

"Red-flag-aloft" (image) Available from: Georgia Southern University, Professor David W. Robinson Homepage <http://ogeechee.litphil.georgiasouthern.edu/> (accessed 8 December 2005).