Socialism and Marxism DBQ

Socialism and Marxism DBQ


The 2nd half of 19th century was a time when reform and change were daily parts of life and the conditions the working man and woman lived in daily were becoming safer and healthier. New political ideas were forcing previously conservative governments to reform the laws that governed labor and health. People were protesting openly the Marxian idea of surplus value in which the factory owner gained all the profits of the common man’s labor and the common man remained poor. Figure 1 and Figure 2 suggest radical changes in the way everyday life was conducted among everyday Europeans in the 19th century and these changes are apparent in the way the pictures are set out. Although the effects of socialism greatly improved the conditions of the working man in the 19th century the difference between figure 1 and figure 2 does accurately portray the transformation of European lifestyle due to bias among the artists.

The socialist movement during the 19th century was not just 1 movement but many including Marxian socialists, utopian socialists and moderate socialists who were willing to work with the government to achieve their ends. While Marxian and utopian socialists preached radical change among society the moderate socialists of Europe worked to form trade unions and to improve the conditions of the working man. In Britain their influence led to the creation of worker’s rights acts such as the 10 hours act and the banning on Child labor. They also formed their own political party and had influence in government like when the labor party in Britain was able to overturn the Taff Valle Act which hindered strikes. However, as Marx preached the in his theories of surplus value and subsistence theory of wages the poor would always remain poor unless they rose up against their employers and although wages increased the poor would still remain poor.

Although figure 2 seems to portray a modern urbanized city it was likely painted before figure 1, the realistic way the people and buildings are detailed suggest that the artist followed a realist style of art. This style came before the impressionist style that figures 1 appears to be painted in with the appearance of movement and life among the people in the painting. The workers in figure 1 appear forlorn and sad, squished into a small room with many others. Figure 2 suggests an open more appealing world with modern urban environments. However all the people in figure 2 are dressed like upper class members of society, the artist was like a member of that society and portrayed the town in the image of an urbanized and modern town. However no
true town would lack the poor laborers and middle class, none of whom are seen in the painting.

Figure 1 and figure 2 seem to portray a radical change in European lifestyle from poor hovel worker to rich gentlemen, the transformation is bias. Although the 2nd half of the 19th century featured advancements for workers’ rights and their influence in government the majority of workers remained in the same jobs and with increased wages. The artist of figure 2 would have been a member of the exclusive upper class in his city and painted his city to represent his classes lifestyle.