The Concept of the Industrial Revolution and Manufacturing Environment - Essay Example

Define socialism and define this movement emerged out of conditions of modern industry during the 18th century in Europe. Also describe the socialistideas of Karl Marx. Socialism is a political, social and economic ideology that sets forth certain principles and guidelines towards the business undertaking within the social sphere. It comes as a contrast and conflicting system to the capitalist system. There are certain basic elements within the socialist movement. The socialist concept is a doctrine and discipline within itself. The traces of it are in the developmental process and phase of the Industrial revolution. Therefore, in order to understand the concept of socialism and the need against which it was initiated, it is important understanding the concept of industrial revolution. The industrial revolution brought about the advent of steam engine, industrial development and manufacturing environment. This in the same manner brought about the advent of industry owners (McNeese, 2013, p. 6). The rich and the noble few would own the industries and the poor and plenty would work in their industries and would be paid wages according to the amount of work done. However soon, the working class realized that they were being exploited. They were being used as a means to the ends and they had little ownership in the entire product and process. This established resentment within. As a result of which socialist mindset and socialist class came forth. The socialist class within the society comprised of the workers and those who felt oppressed and strangulated in the capitalist economy and environment and as a result desired a more equalitarian and more liberal environment where they could work according to their abilities and in turn get the returns according to their level and expectations. The basic principles of Socialism are based upon the views of contrast to the capitalist system. While in the capitalist system the rich own the property and industry, and this in turn gives them a chance to dictate the terms, in the case of socialist movement, the property is collective ownership of the masses through a centralized and more uniform entity. This entity comes in the form of government as the operating agent. The private property ownership is completely eliminated under the concept of socialism. In its hardcore and most explicit form, the property is often termed as the theft. Similarly, the industries so present in the market and in the country are to be administered by the government. This would eliminate the possible chances of the exploitation of the labor. The claim against capitalist system is that of the cartel and monopoly establishment amongst the influential few. The system and doctrine of socialism is based along the guidelines specially designed for the purpose of eliminating the cartel establishment in any way possible. While the original ideas of socialist movement came about as a reaction to the industrial revolution and developments, the main principles and organizational frame work was presented and introduced by Karl Marx. He is known as the founding father of the concept of socialism (Foley, 2002, p. 178). He lived in the 19th century in Germany and he along with Hegel invested research and time into the developments and potential alternate system introduction in the form of socialism. A universal order was to be established under the banner of socialism across the globe. The establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic as a state was based on the ideology of Karl Marx. It came about in the form of Bolshevik revolution towards the end of First World War. The establishment of the First International and the aim of U.S.S.R towards the Second World War to establish pro Soviet Republic government in the different parts of Europe was the motive based on the same principles and same objectives set forth by the doctrine of communism and Socialist views of Karl Marx. Karl Marx further postulated that the socialism was a mere path towards the ultimate objective that was to be achieved in the form of Communism. Communism would allow for a perfect society based on equality among the masses. It would be a classless society and there would be no conflict within on account of the possessions. State would administer over the affairs of the people. The division of labor would be done on the basis of specialization. Religion would find no place in the entire affairs and it was termed as the opium that had been introduced to deceive and indulge the masses by the high ups in the society. According to Karl Marx the proletariat would ultimately emerge from the struggle between the classes and would lead on to a classless society with the equality within. International Power Politics provided most important antecedents to W.W.1. What diplomatic circumstances and rivalries developed between European powers towards the First World War? The First World War that was fought in 1914 as one of the earliest and major events of the 20th century was a back lash of various events. If it was considered as an achievement, the stakeholders could consider their investment made in the different fields. They sowed the seeds in the different fields earning the final outcome in the form of war outbreak in 1914. The Eastern question was one of the major question and conflict that gave rise to the question of World War One. It was an event that was in offing for over a century. It came about in the form of the demise and gradual decline of the sick man of Europe. Turkey was called the sick man of Europe that had lost its power and ability through period of time. This in turn created for a space within and a vacuum capacity within the Europe sphere of politics. The other powers associated in turn wanted maximum gains from the gap created and this in turn created a cold war within. While Russia had its own pursuits and ambitions, Germany wanted glory revived, Great Britain wanted its supremacy enacted, and Austria wanted capacity control. All this, allowed for a battle field like confrontation within which needed a mere match stick to set things a blaze. Germany wanted to establish its influence. This was aimed at establishing through the military power establishment. For this purpose the military expenditure was increased. The military mindset that was introduced reflected the mindset based on revenge. The earlier policies of blood and iron that were insurrected into the German army were still bright and largely visible and this largely reflected the overall mood of the government. The presence of the secret societies was another contributing factor. This came about in the form of the Serbian society. Societies such as the Black Hand were one of the most dominant and prominent one and it was largely responsible for the outbreak of the war. It specialized in performing covert operations against the Austrians. The Austrians were there swore enemies on the account of the annexation that had taken place towards the 1908 actions taken (Perry, 2012). This brought about hostility and resentment in the minds and hearts of the Serbians and other slaves and they wanted liberation from the Austrian ruling military setup. As a result they undertook the offensive of launching an attack which would lead to taking the life of the Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand and this would make up for the direct and sequential factor of the outbreak of the war. The war that was in offing for multiple decades, needed a reason and source and Gavrilo Princip provided this through the guidance and patronage provided to him through the entity of the Black Hand. The virtual division of Europe into allies and enemies before the war was another element that contributed towards the war. The establishment of the Balkan league that grew so strong in the status and power and it started challenging the power and authority of the Ottoman Empire led to the potential causes of the instability and the potential outbreak of war in the continent of Europe. All these were the contributing factors that contributed in small way towards the major outbreak. The First Balkan War, the Second Balkan War (Hall, 2002, p. 135), the war between Russia and Ottoman Empire towards 1876, 1877, the establishment of the greater Bulgaria and the Andrassy note and various other similar account for the activities that were richly intact during the period of buildup towards the First World War. The territorial desires to annex greater piece of land for the political and strategic edge over one another was another area that motivated the states into going into the war. The question of the holy places and the manner in which it was manipulated towards the political interests also contributed towards the overall cause and occurrence of the First World War. With the Christian, Muslims, Catholic and Protestant subjects grouped together in one place, the question of their future protection and future custody gave shape to the political question regarding the future outlook of the European politics. Hence all these reasons contributed in different ways towards the outbreak of the war which would completely change the outlook of the world and bring about massive devastation and destruction. The result of First World War put the world in motion towards Second World War. What were the predominant circumstances that prevailed? What political events took place till start of Second World War? The First World War that lasted for four years and took the entire world nearly a century back into its existence on account of the damages incurred. It was to be followed by a more severe and more devastating affair in the span of twenty years from the period of occurrence of the First World War. The First World War came to an end in the most hostile and uneven situation. It exposed the world to the raw form of sufferings, those who had survived were lucky enough to have escaped death, but at the same time, they were unlucky because they had to live with the most hostile events and scenarios that were to welcome them in times ahead. In less than a decade’s time after the occurrence of the First World War, the economic recession hit the world. It started off from New York and soon made inroads into European markets. Its impact directly fell upon the citizens. The citizens who had already suffered at the hands of the war, were now faced with the global economic crunch. The other political and social events that took place were the rise of Socialism and the rise of Fascism and Nazism in parallel. These were the three major political and ideological events that developed towards the time period between the two wars. Each of these movements had connection with the outcome of the First World War and the desire for equaling the scores and expanding their influence in the global affairs in the direct manner. Nazism came about in direct manner to avenge the rulings and decisions of the First World War. With the events such as the war clause guilt imposition and other similar accounts of humiliation gifted upon Germany, German nation and German army was hell bent on reversing the events of the First World War. The failure of democracy within Germany was another reason that contributed towards the outbreak of the war. Since Germans had never tasted democracy previously, it made it ever so difficult interacting with the new government and new parliament as a result the feeling of alienation persisted between the masses and their representatives. This in turn gave a chance to the military ruling mindset such as Hitler and his cronies to come into power and reign and rule over them and prepare them for a more vengeful mindset (Yeadon, 2008, p. 78). Fascism was also a move that was based on territorial aggrandizement. Italian troops and army followed the footsteps of the Hitler and his ideals and they wanted to revenge and undo the rulings of the First World War. As a result of this Berlin Baghdad and Milan nexus was established where strategic and military ties were strengthened. The other significant account that took place between these years was that of the League of Nations establishment. It was a mixed bag on multiple accounts. While it brought the nations together to a single platform, it at the same time led to the outbreak of the Second World War, on account of the failure to contain Germany and its allies. The alienation of the United States of America and the mixed response and with drawl of Germany first, Japan and U.S.S.R in the same line made the entity ever so weak and the world was further more exposed towards the potential outbreak of the Second World War. Japan’s jingoism and its offensives that were unleashed towards Manchuria, this along with the hostile behavior of Italy towards Yugoslavia and Ethiopia were few of the major events in the same context that slowly led the world towards the outbreak of a Second World War. The Fourteen points of Woodrow Wilson that came about in response to the settlement and the achievements of the allies sent foundation towards the establishment of the League of Nations. However this league although first of its kind, yet it failed the political and diplomatic insight and it handed over the world into the arms of another conflict that would be more deadly and more horrific in its outlook and it would cause more damages and destruction to the world. Overall the political, economic and social factors contributed towards the outbreak of the Second World War. It formally came about in September 1939 when Germany engaged in an offensive against Poland and attacked it in a manner that left it completely stunned and helpless. References: Foley, D. A. (2002). Marian Apparitions, the Bible, and the Modern World. Gracewing Publishing. Hall, R. C. (2002). The Balkan Wars 1912-1913: Prelude to the First World War. Routledge. McNeese, T. (2013). History of Civilization - The Industrial Revolution. Lorenz Educational Press. Perry, M. (2012). Western Civilization: A Brief History, Volume II: From the 1400s. Cengage Learning. Yeadon, G. (2008). The Nazi Hydra in America: Suppressed History of a Century. Lulu.com Read More