Mitch Addison, 28
Karl Marx is a very infamous name amongst politics. He is known for writing the Communist Manifesto alongside Friedrich Engels, which outlined the basis for Marxist thought and action. Although, this is usually the most famous part of his life that people know about. What was Marx’s life prior to writing the Communist Manifesto?
Karl Marx was born in Trier, Prussia. He was the oldest boy of nine surviving children. His parents were jewish and came from a long line of Rabbis. Marx’s father was a supporter of the Enlightenment, specifically an advocate for Voltaire and Kant. Marx and his father, likely because of his father’s work, were baptized at an Evangelical church. Since Marx grew up around ideas of the Enlightenment and prejudice due to his jewish heritage, he would start down a path of more radical social change. Marx would go to a school that was under constant surveillance, since it was believed that it was harboring liberal teachers and pupils. At the time, liberalism was extremely suspicious after the French Revolution and Napoleon’s rise to power. Eventually, Marx would enroll at the University of Bonn, where he studied subjects such as Greek and Roman Mythology as well as Art History. He would fight in a duel and would also be arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
Despite this, he was active in student activities at the school, such as joining a poets’ club that had some political activists. Political diversion was considered part of the culture at Bonn, and many students were arrested and expelled. After a year at Bonn, Marx dropped out and instead enrolled at the University of Berlin, where he studied law and philosophy. This is where he discovered Hegelian philosophy. Hegelian philosophy gave Marx his idea that history is based on a history of class struggles. Class struggles are one of the pillars of Marxism, and it lead to Marx’s idea of a classless society. Initially, Marx was repulsed by Hegel’s philosophy. However, he was pressured by his peers to look into it, leading to him joining a group called the Doctor Club. The Doctor Club was heavily invested in the study of Hegelian philosophy, causing Marx to turn into a Young Hegelian. The Prussian government soon heard about the growing rise in Hegelian philosophy, leading them to expel any Young Hegelians from universities across the country. Marx, pressured by his friends, sent his doctoral dissertation to a university that held low academic requirements, so he could get his degree. A doctoral dissertation is a long essay on a particular subject. Marx wrote his about philosophy, specifically the difference between two natural philosophies. Marx’s early life greatly influenced him, forming the basis for what will turn into Marxism. However, he still has time before he is remembered as the man that formed Marxism.
In 1842, Marx would start to make contributions to a newly founded newspaper in Cologne, called the Rheinische Zeitung. For instance, he wrote an article about censorship and how it could only bring about evil repercussions. Eventually, Marx became an editor, expanding his duties to writing editorials and editing the articles before they are published. His editorials included a variety of topics including the economy, housing, thefts, and politics. The newspaper went on to become the leading newspaper in Prussia, that was until the Prussian government silenced it for being too outspoken. Since Marx lost his editing job, he agreed to coedit the German and French Yearbooks, another newspaper that would be published. Marx also married Jenny von Westphalen, who came from a family of notable military and political distinction. Marx also met his dear friend, and partner in crime in writing the Communist Manifesto, Friedrich Engels.
Friedrich Engels grew up in a moderately liberal family that owned a textile factory. The textile factory gave the family financial security, also allowing Engels to trust that home could always help him. Engels eventually learned how to expand the textile business, as asked by his father. Engels worked as a business apprentice in order to gain the knowledge and experience his father felt that he needed to help the business. In private, Engels educated himself on liberal and revolutionary writings, leading him to Hegelian philosophy. He wrote articles under the pseudonym Friedrich Oswald in Bremen, working on skills that he would apply later when he worked with Marx. Engels, looking at alternative career options other than the one his father had him do, joined the military. He was an impressive soldier, and it became a specialty of his. During his military service, he was stationed at Berlin, allowing him to attend lectures and look into other interests while he was there. He also joined a hegelian group called The Free, which was formerly known as the Doctor Club. Engels’ conversion to communism was caused by a man by the name of Moses Hess, demonstrating that the ideas of Hegelian philosophy were embodied in communism. He also mentioned that England would play a major role in the future of communism, due to its advanced industry, large working class, and high chance of class conflicts. This caused Engels to move to England, where he continued his work as a businessman and also meet his future wives.
The partnership between Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels goes back to a ten day trip to Paris, leading to a partnership to promote the ideas of socialism. Together they would write many books, until a secret society known as the League of the Just would contact Marx, asking if he and Engels would join them. Marx and Engels both joined, causing the society to change their name to the Communist League. Marx and Engels were given the roles of constructing their ideology, which would take a little over a year for them to write. Upon receiving the manuscript, the Communist League made it into their manifesto. Not long after, many revolutions had popped up across Europe, leading Marx to take great interest in them. Karl Marx returned to the Rhineland, an area under control of Prussia which was also faced with revolution. Marx urged for the spread of revolution to Russia via war. He also proclaimed that the workers and democratic middle class should form a coalition and work together. Marx then became the leader of the Workers’ Union after its leader was arrested. Upon the dissolution of the Prussian Assembly, Marx called for armed resistance against the King and his government. This led to many of the middle class withdrawing their support from Marx, and he was charged with many crimes, such as advocating for the nonpayment of taxes. Once any and all hope for a larger revolution in Prussia were lost, Marx was banished. He would also be expelled from Paris, forcing him to live in London. This is where he would stay for the rest of his life. He continued his work in revolutionary ideas, writing many books and playing a major role in what is now known as the First International, or a group of people that held ideals of socialism and communism. As he became older, he lost his energy to create and write, leading him to withdraw from politics and focus more on his family. Karl Marx died on March 14, 1883. Friedrich Engels continued to perpetuate Marx’s ideas and Marxism, even adding two more volumes to Das Kapital, another important book written by Marx. However, Engels would be afflicted with cancer and die on August 5, 1895.