“The Working Class in England" (Friedrich Engels 1845) Explained!

Summary

In this video, The Left Library explores Friedrich Engels' seminal work, *The Condition of the Working Class in England*. Written in 1845, Engels exposes the dire living and working conditions faced by the English working class during the Industrial Revolution. He critiques the exploitative capitalist system, highlighting overcrowded slums, hazardous factories, and widespread health issues. Engels calls for systemic change, advocating for the abolition of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist society. The video also draws parallels between Engels' observations and modern issues like the gig economy and globalization, making his work highly relevant to today's labor movements.

Takeaways

• 😀 Engels' *The Condition of the Working Class in England* exposes the dire conditions faced by the English working class during the Industrial Revolution.
• 😀 Engels, a collaborator of Karl Marx, witnessed firsthand the exploitation of workers in Manchester, leading to his powerful critique of industrial capitalism.
• 😀 The living conditions of the working class were marked by overcrowded slums, poor sanitation, and frequent outbreaks of disease, caused by the profit-driven nature of capitalism.
• 😀 Workers endured long hours in unsafe factory environments, with little regard for their health and safety, and were subjected to harsh exploitation for minimal pay.
• 😀 Child labor was widespread, with children as young as five employed in hazardous tasks for meager wages, a clear example of capitalist exploitation.
• 😀 Overcrowding and unsanitary housing, coupled with dangerous working environments, led to high mortality rates and rampant diseases like cholera and tuberculosis.
• 😀 Engels highlights the widespread poverty and social disruption caused by industrialization, as traditional industries were replaced by mechanized factories.
• 😀 Industrialization created a vast underclass of workers with nothing to sell but their labor, laying the groundwork for future class conflict and revolution.
• 😀 Engels calls for the abolition of capitalism and advocates for the establishment of a socialist society where collective ownership replaces private profit-driven motives.
• 😀 Engels' critique remains relevant today as modern workers face similar exploitation, especially in the gig economy and globalized manufacturing industries.
• 😀 The insights from Engels' work serve as a foundation for contemporary labor movements, emphasizing the need for fair wages, safe working conditions, and systemic reforms.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Friedrich Engels' book 'The Condition of the Working Class in England'?

The book primarily focuses on the living and working conditions of the English working class during the early stages of industrial capitalism, offering a critical analysis of the exploitation and suffering caused by the capitalist system.

What personal experiences did Engels draw upon when writing his book?

Engels drew upon his personal experiences in Manchester, England, during the early 1840s, where he witnessed firsthand the dire conditions faced by the working class.

How does Engels describe the living conditions of the working class?

Engels describes the living conditions as appalling, with overcrowded slums, unsanitary environments, and inadequate housing. He emphasizes that these conditions were not the result of individual failings, but systemic issues created by capitalism.

What impact did industrial capitalism have on the health of the working class according to Engels?

Industrial capitalism led to overcrowded living conditions, poor sanitation, and hazardous working environments, contributing to widespread illness, high mortality rates, and frequent disease outbreaks such as cholera, typhus, and tuberculosis.

How does Engels describe the working conditions in factories and mines?

Engels describes the working conditions as harsh, with long hours, dangerous environments, and the widespread use of child labor. Workers were subjected to grueling tasks for minimal pay and with little regard for their safety or health.

What was the role of child labor during the Industrial Revolution, according to Engels?

Engels highlights the exploitation of child labor, noting that children as young as five were employed in factories, performing hazardous tasks for minimal wages, which further exacerbated the harsh working conditions.

How did industrialization disrupt traditional ways of life?

Industrialization displaced small artisans and farmers, leading to the proletarianization of many who were once self-sufficient. This shift created a new underclass of workers who had nothing to sell but their labor, setting the stage for class conflict.

What did Engels mean by the 'germ of the revolution' in relation to industrialization?

Engels referred to the 'germ of the revolution' as the emergence of a large, disenfranchised proletarian class, created by industrialization, which had the potential to rise up against the capitalist system and fight for a more just society.

What solution does Engels propose to improve the conditions of the working class?

Engels proposes the abolition of the capitalist system and the establishment of a socialist society, where the means of production are collectively owned, and the welfare of all is prioritized over profit.

How are Engels' observations relevant to the working conditions of today’s workers?

Engels' observations remain relevant as modern workers in the gig economy often face instability, lack of healthcare, and insufficient income, echoing the precarious conditions described in Engels' time. Additionally, globalization has led to outsourcing, where workers in developing countries face conditions reminiscent of the past exploitation.