Marxism, Imperialism, and Early 20th Century Ideologies
Marxism
Marxism, developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the mid-19th century, is a socio-economic theory and a program of action for societal change. Initially presented in the *Communist Manifesto*, it’s often referred to as scientific socialism. Marxism is based on three main areas:
- Analysis of the past through the lens of class struggle.
- Critique of capitalism, focusing on the capitalist’s profit beyond wages (surplus value).
- A vision for the future, including a transitional phase of the dictatorship of the proletariat.
The Dismemberment of Africa
The continent of Africa was where this new type of colonial occupation took place most obviously. In the second half of the 19th century, explorers and missionaries traveled across Africa. After 1870, expeditions increased, and European powers began to conquer and colonize the continent.
- The British aimed to connect North and South Africa, dominating the eastern side and controlling the Indian Ocean.
- The French sought control of an east-west strip. From their possessions in Algeria, they dominated North Africa (Morocco and Tunisia) and expanded towards Sudan, where they clashed with the British.
- The Germans settled in central Africa, creating a conflict zone between European powers.
In this situation, Bismarck convened the Berlin Conference, attended by 14 European countries. It established conditions for colonial expansion in Africa:
- Ensuring free navigation on the Niger and Congo rivers.
- Establishing principles for claiming African territories:
- Effective domination of the entire territory.
- Diplomatic notification to other powers of a new colony.
Years later, other European states entered Africa. The British and French empires were joined by German interests in sub-Saharan Africa, and the Portuguese consolidated their presence in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau. The clash of imperialist interests was inevitable, leading to conflicts like the Boer War. The UK fought Dutch settlers (Boers) in South Africa. After several years of war, the Boer territories were annexed by the British Empire.
Taylorism
Taylorism is a method of industrial organization aimed at increasing productivity. It involves organizing production in series through an assembly line, where a treadmill moves products through the manufacturing process. Henry Ford famously applied this to automobile production.
Anarchism
Anarchism offers a critique of capitalist society and proposes an alternative model based on the absence of authority. Its goal was the destruction of the state and the creation of an egalitarian society.
Chauvinism
Chauvinism is the belief in the superiority of one’s own nation and the proclaimed duty to disseminate European culture, religion, and civilization worldwide.
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was an early declaration of U.S. foreign policy regarding the rights and activities of European powers in the Americas. It is summarized in the phrase: “America for the Americans.”
Unionism
Unionism is a system of labor organization through unions, which are associations of workers formed to protect and promote the professional, economic, and social interests of their members.
Social Democracy
Social Democracy represents a separation from Marxism, primarily in its rejection of revolutionary aims.
Monopoly
A Monopoly exists when a single manufacturer or distributor has exclusive control over a product and can set prices without competition.