Answer to Question #247798 in History for Daniel

Question

1. Marx and Engels stated in The Communist Manifesto, "The weapons with which the bourgeoisie felled feudalism to the ground are now turned against the bourgeoisie itself," but what do they mean? How can this be explained through other readings in which we see the poor conditions of the working class? Do you agree with Marx that society has always been separated into two classes (rich and poor, or exploiter and exploited)? Where have we seen changes in the ways that these classes have interacted, in the last few hundred years, and in the years since?

2. What did “The People’s Charter” indicate about the progression of English politics as we have seen it in this class? Where has England moved forward since the English Civil War and the Bill of Rights, and what still needs to be done (in the mid-19th century) in order to assure fair governance for all? Which of the requirements seems most important for advancing the cause of the working class and why?

 

Answer 1

1.     The weapons that the bourgeoisie used to bring feudalism down are now being used against the bourgeoisie. The capitalism has not only created the weapons that will bring death to itself, but it has also created the individuals who will wield those weapons—the modern working class—the proletarians. The bourgeoisie, or capitalists, are the owners of capital who buy and exploit labor power, then use the surplus value from that labor force's employment to accumulate or expand their capital. Here, capital ownership and its use to exploit labor and develop capital are crucial. Being wealthy isn't enough to qualify someone as a capitalist (e.g. managers in the state sector or landlords). To be a capitalist or bourgeoisie member, the owner of a quantity of money must be actively participating in capital accumulation, using this money to organize production, employ and exploit labor, and make the money self-expanding by using surplus value to continue this cycle of capital accumulation. The proletariat is a class of people who own labor power (the ability to work) but have no other resources beyond the ability to work with their hands, bodies, and minds. Because these workers do not own property, they must seek employment and work for an employer in order to subsist and provide for their family. This refers to working for a capitalist-employer in an exploitative social relationship, i.e., working additional hours for a capitalist. It also posed a threat to the political and social order. The introduction of a communist revolution pushed people to have a broader view of life, which helped the society function at the time and promote the working-class movement.

2.     Only 18% of the adult male population of Britain could vote when the Charter was signed in 1838. Except for those convicted of a felony or deemed crazy, the Charter suggested that all adult males over the age of 21 be allowed to vote. The statute outlined precise constitutional and civil rights, and granted Parliament control over the monarchy in the end. The English Bill of Rights is often regarded as the key law that established England's constitutional monarchy. It's also credited with inspiring the United States Bill of Rights. All men should be able to vote. Secret ballot voting should be used. Parliamentary elections should be held every year rather than every five years. The size of the constituents should be equal. The property requirement for election to the House of Commons should be eliminated. The Chartist movement was the first mass movement to be led by workers.