I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 343

Becoming a Hidden Power in the British Empire – 343

Communism

As the 1860s progressed, the Industrial Revolution’s effects spread throughout Europe, and the workers’ awareness of their situation grew accordingly.

However, the reality was that workers, lacking organized representation, had no effective way to address the unfair treatment they faced.

Strikes were practically impossible, and even simple negotiations with employers were usually out of the question.

“Don’t want to work? Fine, we can easily find foreign workers to replace you. If you’re not happy, leave.”

With so many people struggling to survive, desperate for any work, the threat of starvation outweighed any potential strike action.

Amidst this climate, a large-scale revolt erupted in Poland in 1863, briefly stirring a sense of solidarity among socialists.

However, this revolt failed to gain significant traction, as the major European powers were preoccupied with the American Civil War, and the uprising was brutally suppressed.

At this point, the reality became undeniable, even for those who resisted it.

Individual efforts by scattered small groups, raising their voices day and night, would have no real impact on the world.

There was a clear need for a unified organization, an international association with strong leadership, capable of representing the collective voice of socialists.

And the socialists who recognized this need didn’t just talk about it; they took action.

From Proudhonists [followers of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, advocating for a form of anarchism] to Owenists [followers of Robert Owen, promoting utopian socialism], and even Blanquists [followers of Louis Auguste Blanqui, advocating for revolutionary seizure of power].

Socialists of all stripes began to converge, setting the stage for another period of significant global upheaval.

Thus, the International Workingmen’s Association, historically known as the First International, was established in Paris.

Originally, the meeting was planned for London, but the venue was shifted to Paris due to concerns that the British Empire was too stable to generate sufficient momentum for their cause.

However, the gathering of diverse factions with differing ideologies meant that immediate integration was not possible.

Too many cooks spoil the broth. If numerous factions run rampant, the organization will eventually collapse.

Someone needed to establish clear dominance to guide the organization in a unified direction, and Friedrich Engels and Auguste Blanqui emerged as key figures.

Engels effectively silenced other communists by presenting a systematic theory, often referred to as Engelsism, which solidified Marx’s theories.

For instance, other socialists who adhered to Proudhon’s ideology had numerous disagreements with Engels, but they couldn’t effectively challenge him in debate due to the lack of a systematic framework in their own theories.

“Pierre-Joseph Proudhon’s insights and ideology are commendable, but he places too much faith in the goodwill of the world. Expecting capitalist forces to willingly bring about change? If persuasion worked, we wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place!”

“But Engels, if the dictatorship of the proletariat [a state in which the working class holds political power] arises during the revolution, how is that different from the behavior of the capitalists now?”

“Workers cannot individually control the means of production. Therefore, this dictatorship cannot become entrenched. This has already been systematically addressed in my published works.”

People who feel exploited and oppressed harbor anger, whether great or small.

And those harboring such anger are often more susceptible to radical and violent ideologies promising immediate results, rather than moderate ideals.

Consequently, Proudhon, with his reformist leanings, was quickly sidelined by Engels.

Next, Mikhail Bakunin emerged as a significant contender against Engels for leadership of the organization.

He was a prominent figure in collectivist anarchism and a fervent advocate for revolution, some might even say addicted to it.

“The passion for destruction is a creative passion!”

“We must confidently challenge and reject all dictatorial authority! The only authority that holds any value is professional authority based on knowledge!”

“Social contract theory is merely a deceptive construct used to legitimize the state’s power under the guise of social order!”

“The state is an entity that must be abolished in the future! First, we must initiate a revolution to dismantle the state and permanently safeguard our beliefs through a decentralized alliance of labor unions!”

His assertion that revolution was the only path to establishing a socialist league garnered enthusiastic support from workers and intellectuals dissatisfied with the status quo.

In this way, the leadership of the International began to coalesce around the two major forces of Engels and Bakunin, leading to frequent ideological clashes.

However, Engels, having matured since his collaboration with Marx, was now a different man.

“Dear comrades! We stand at a critical juncture, an era that will shape the next century. The future of workers’ rights hinges on the direction our International takes; they may be secured, or they may become even more precarious than they are now. I have no interest in engaging in pointless debates about whose theory is superior! Just remember this: our choices will directly impact the lives of tens of millions of proletarians worldwide!”

“Aren’t you simply trying to assert your own correctness?”

“I believe everyone here has come this far because they believe in the correctness of their own views, not just me.”

“That’s right.”

“But what truly matters is whether our beliefs resonate with a significant number of people. Whether our actions are perceived as mere rebellious grumbling or a legitimate revolution against injustice depends on our ideology of action, not on anything else!”

Engels and Bakunin both agreed on the need to overturn the existing order through revolution.

However, Engels was convinced that stable social management after the revolution was impossible with simple anarchism.

“We seek to dismantle the old order to create a better, new society. Destruction for the sake of creation, not destruction for its own sake! This must be the guiding principle of our International, shared by workers of all nations!”

“That sounds appealing, but I fear it could ultimately lead to the dogmatic assertion that only your theory is correct. What are your thoughts on that?”

“The reason I emphasize the importance of theory is that our actions must not be piecemeal. They must be sustainable and capable of presenting a comprehensive new system to replace capitalism. I ask you in return: can a weak ideology, unable to even assert the legitimacy of its own theory, truly displace those greedy capitalists and take their place?”

For strategic victory, not just tactical gains, it is necessary to view the world from a long-term perspective.

This argument by Engels was met with enthusiastic applause from both ordinary workers and many intellectuals, gradually eroding Bakunin’s influence.

Their call to overthrow the existing order through revolution resonated strongly with workers dissatisfied with their current circumstances.

Their systematic theory clearly outlined the path forward, deeply appealing to intellectuals.

Above all, the fact that the International’s cause could be firmly established, as Engels argued, further strengthened the appeal of Engelsism.

“We declare! We will achieve gradual system reform and revolution to create a true worker’s paradise! First, we must demand that our rights be guaranteed!”

“Can’t we just overturn everything with a revolution?”

“Of course not. Everything in the world has an order and procedure. Even if we declare a revolution right now, who will respond?”

“But gradual reform sounds similar to Proudhon’s argument….”

“If the bourgeoisie [the capitalist class] listens when we demand gradual reform, it would be as Proudhon envisioned. But that will never happen. Greedy capitalists will never willingly relinquish their vested interests, and all the workers in the world need to understand that fact to their core.”

If you remain unaware of the knife at your throat, you will live and die like ignorant, hungry pigs.

Motivation is essential for resistance, and awareness of reality is crucial for gaining that motivation.

The International’s primary goal was to make workers realize the extent of the unfair treatment they were enduring.

“Guarantee an 8-hour workday! If not, guarantee at least one day off per week! And grant universal suffrage [the right of all citizens to vote] so that workers can participate in national policy-making! These are the demands we must voice now.”

“My God… is that even possible?”

“It’s impossible. It’s absolutely impossible, which is precisely why we’re demanding it.”

The greedy capitalists will never accept these demands, so they are gradually building up their justification with these claims.

The International’s initial actions, publicly revealed to the world, were so shocking that they stunned many.

* * *

Meanwhile, across the English Channel.

British Empire, London, Buckingham’s office.

The tense atmosphere in the room stemmed from the numerous reports and charts spread across the table.

Everyone was aware that socialists from across Europe were gathering in Paris, a matter of great interest to most politicians.

“So, it appears that Friedrich Engels is emerging as the leading figure in this International organization.”

“Isn’t Engels someone His Majesty used to meet with frequently?”

“That’s correct. I recognized certain tendencies early on and attempted to correct them, but I was unsuccessful.”

“His Majesty failed to correct him? He must be deeply committed to socialism at his core.”

“Did you see their flag this time? It was so intensely red that it radiated an ominous energy. It felt as though they intended to stain the world with blood.”

Wellesley, Disraeli, Gladstone, and others all reacted negatively to the establishment of the International.

I had been releasing people and receiving all sorts of detailed information from behind when they first gathered in Paris.

Thanks to even planting spies disguised as hardcore communists, their actions were coming to me almost in real time.

“Still, it’s a relief that Bakunin’s ideology didn’t gain mainstream acceptance. If the world’s workers had truly united under an anarchist banner, it would have presented a significant challenge.”

“That’s true, but…”

I flipped through the documents containing the latest incoming news and remarked with interest:

“Their tactics are quite clever. They begin by voicing seemingly reasonable demands, and if those are rejected, they gradually shift towards a more radical stance, correct?”

“It’s a straightforward but effective approach. Just look at their initial demands. Are they likely to be accepted?”

I can vividly imagine the factory owners’ outrage, exclaiming, ‘How are we supposed to run a business if we only work 8 hours a day and guarantee time off on Sundays?’

“Factory owners aren’t simply digging up the ground to conduct business, and if we implement these changes, who would risk investing their capital? Don’t you agree, Your Majesty?”

“Hmm.”

Of course, in a world of one-eyed people, having two eyes is abnormal, so I decided to remain silent.

If you were to ask capitalists of this era whether a factory could survive operating under such conditions, 100 out of 100 would dismiss it as ridiculous.

Not only capitalists but also politicians would consider it an absurd joke.

“According to the economic thesis published this time, the human body is optimized for working about 70 hours a week.”

“There was also a thesis that said that if you let them go too much, they will become lazy and work efficiency will decrease.”

Dizzying conversations ensued, but it was only natural that politicians would side with whatever would generate the most money and votes.

“Still, shouldn’t we allow them time to attend church once a week? As a Christian nation.”

“Ah… that’s true. Faith is important too.”

This is the kind of conversation taking place in the British Empire, supposedly the most labor-friendly country in the world.

Ultimately, it seems that people are unfortunate creatures who only learn after experiencing hardship.

The question is, where would be the most suitable place for that first blow to land?

Suddenly, the headline of today’s crumpled newspaper in the corner caught my eye.

The Confederate States of America Proclaims a Special Law to Prevent the Escape of Slaves! Human Rights or Property Rights?