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Karl Marx's Role in the First International: What Impact Did He Have?
The First International, the International Workingmen's Association (IWA), founded in 1864, is a global political organization composed of various socialist, social democratic, communist and anarchist groups and trade unions. alliance. As the spokesperson of the working class and class struggle, the organization has had a profound impact on the global labor movement and the future development of the socialist movement in just twelve years. In this process, Karl Marx's participation and thought were undoubtedly crucial.
The activities for the founding of the First International began on September 28, 1864, at a gathering at St. Martin's Hall in London, England, where workers from different countries gathered, including Marx, a then unknown 46-year-old immigrant journalist.
Although Marx's participation did not attract enough attention at first, he soon became a key promoter of the organization. The First International was founded when the working class sought common action in the face of oppression and exploitation under the capitalist system of the time.
Marx’s influence
Marx not only participated in the founding of the First International, but was also responsible for drafting the organization's basic documents, integrating its theory and movement. His "Das Kapital" and other classic works provided the theoretical foundation for the First International and helped the labor movement become more scientific and organized.
At the 1866 Geneva Congress, the "Basic Principles of Socialism and the Workers' Movement" led by Marx became an important guiding document, marking the gathering of ideas and actions of the First International.
Marx’s role in the First International was not limited to theory. He also faced internal tensions and external challenges and always maintained a collective struggle against capitalism. The conflict between Marx and the anarchists at the Hague Congress in 1872 was undoubtedly a key decision-making moment in his political career.
Internal tensions and divisions
The First International was initially composed mainly of men. Although it began to admit female members in 1865, its leadership was still dominated by men. Marx's influence lies in his promotion of women's participation and winning attention to women's rights, which became a major issue in the subsequent labor movement.
The opposition between Marx and the anarchist Bakunin showed the organizational contradictions of the First International. In the context of the Paris Commune of 1871, Bakunin's criticism raised deeper questions for Marx, questions that were not limited to theoretical disagreements but also involved how to actually achieve social change.
Bakunin's sarcasm expressed his doubts about Marxism. He believed that Marx's doctrine might lead to the emergence of a new ruling class. This was not only his personal opposition, but also a voice among the workers' groups.
The legacy of the First International
With the 1872 Hague Congress, the First International suffered a split and the anarchists held their own conference in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. Their declaration of themselves as a truly international workers' association demonstrated the diversity and divisions within the labor movement. Despite the split, Marx and the ideas he advocated continued to have a major influence on the subsequent labor movement.
After the dissolution of the First International, as the trend of social movements advanced, Marx's thoughts continued to influence the labor movements around the world, and the subsequent establishment of the Second International. In this context, Marx's political philosophy has become a popular topic of discussion around the world and has had a profound impact on the labor movement policies of many countries.
Conclusion
To summarize, Marx’s role in the First International was not only reflected in the construction of his theory, but also in how he used these ideas to promote the unity of workers around the world and form a force to resist capitalism. The course of the First International was not only the implementation of Marx's personal thoughts, but also the exploration process of the global workers' movement. Therefore, can the theory proposed by Marx still provide guidance and inspiration in current social movements?
