Reform Movements“Capital is dead labor, which, vampire-like,

lives only by sucking living labor, and lives the more labor it sucks.” – Karl Marx

How are Communism & Capitalism different? Which would you prefer to live under?

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

The Industrial Revolution created some issues◦ Poor Working Conditions◦ Low Wages◦ Large division in social classes

Many things needed to change in order for Great Britain to remain peaceful

Reform Movements

Middle class was disturbed by misery of working class & injustices of capitalism

Feared working class violence Result: Parliament improved working

conditions◦ Banned women & children from working in mines◦ Limited work hours to 10 a day◦ Brought about safer working conditions

Social Reform

Queen Victoria◦ Popular monarch◦ Favored social reform to help her subjects◦ Favored private efforts to help the poor

Social Reform

Made cities cleaner & healthier places to live

Improved public drinking water Created sewer system to prevent spread of

disease Street lamps & police forces made city safer Free public elementary school created to

prepare citizens for adulthood

Municipal Reforms

Union – Group of workers that collectively use their strength to have a voice in their workplace

Strike – Refusal to work as a form of protest Some unions threatened strikes if they did not

receive better pay & working conditions Social security insurance introduced so leaders

could win favor with working class

Workers’ Unions

Rising middle class demanded political power Older towns in Great Britain were represented

in House of Commons Newer towns had no representation Reform Bill of 1832 – Provided representation

for new towns & increased voting rights Late 19th Century – All men could vote, women

could not

Political Reforms

Capitalism – Economic & political system where trade & industry are controlled by private citizens, & are motivated by profit

Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels criticized capitalism

Together published The Communist Manifesto

Marx’s ideas became basis for communism

Marx & the Birth of Communism

Communism – System of social organization where all economic & social activity is controlled by the government

Marx’s Criticism◦ Workers only paid minimum needed to survive◦ Owners kept as much money as possible◦ Owners got richer, proletariat (Workers) got poorer◦ Predicted workers would violently revolt due to

working conditions◦ Predicted workers would create a society of equality

Marx & the Birth of Communism

Communism◦ Marx’s name for equal & harmonious society◦ No private property, everything owned in common◦ No social classes◦ Cooperation would replace competition, allowing

everyone’s needs to be met

Marx & the Birth of Communism