Why did the Communist Manifesto become popular in the late 19th century?
The Communist Manifesto became popular in the late 19th century due to several reasons:
1. Rise of Industrialization: The late 19th century witnessed significant industrialization in many countries, which led to the creation of a new working class. This working class, consisting of laborers and factory workers, faced harsh working conditions, low wages, long hours, and exploitation by the capitalist class. The Communist Manifesto addressed their grievances and offered a vision of a society that would secure their rights and improve their lives.
2. Socialist and Workers Movements: The late 19th century was marked by the emergence of various socialist and workers movements across Europe and other parts of the world. These movements sought to organize workers and fight for their rights. The Communist Manifesto provided a theoretical framework for these movements, offering a revolutionary perspective on how to achieve workers' emancipation.
3. Intellectual Influence: The Communist Manifesto was written by the renowned philosophers and political theorists Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Their ideas on socialism and communism gained popularity among intellectuals and academics during the late 19th century. The Manifesto presented a critique of capitalism, arguing for the need to overthrow the bourgeoisie and establish a classless society. This intellectual influence helped spread the popularity of the Communist Manifesto.
4. Influence of Revolutions: The late 19th century witnessed several revolutionary movements and uprisings, such as the Paris Commune of 1871 and the Russian Revolutions of 1905. These events demonstrated the potential for mass mobilization and revolutionary change. The Communist Manifesto's call for a proletarian revolution resonated with those who sought radical social and political transformation.
5. Widening Inequality: The 19th century was characterized by widening wealth and income gaps between the capitalist class and the working class. This increasing inequality created social unrest and dissatisfaction among the masses. The Communist Manifesto offered an alternative vision of society that promised to address these inequalities and create a more egalitarian and just social order.
Overall, the combination of social, economic, intellectual, and political factors contributed to the popularization of the Communist Manifesto in the late 19th century. It resonated with those who sought to challenge the prevailing capitalist order and offered an ideological framework for revolutionary change.