Marxism, developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, is a socioeconomic theory employing historical materialism to analyze class struggles, societal conflicts, and transformations. Lacking a singular definition, Marxism has branched into various schools of thought, significantly influencing modern society and inspiring numerous left-wing political movements globally.
1905: The 1905 Russian Revolution and Its Aftermath
The 1905 Russian Revolution, a failed attempt to overthrow the Tsarist autocracy, prompted Marxist thinkers like Vladimir Lenin and Rosa Luxemburg to re-examine and further develop Marx's crisis theory and formulate a theory of imperialism, significantly impacting the course of Marxist thought.
1906: Critique of Marx's Value Theory by Ladislaus von Bortkiewicz
Ladislaus von Bortkiewicz, in 1906 and 1907, along with earlier critics like Vladimir Karpovich Dmitriev, challenged Marx's value theory and the law of the tendency of the rate of profit to fall, claiming internal inconsistencies.
1907: Continued Critique of Marx's Economic Theories
Critics in 1907 continued to challenge Marx's economic theories, arguing that his conclusions, such as the idea that the exploitation of workers is the sole source of profit, do not align with his theoretical premises.
1913: Vladimir Lenin, Russian Marxist Theoretician and Revolutionary
In 1913, Vladimir Lenin was actively involved in revolutionary activities and further developing Marxist theory, focusing on the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the establishment of a socialist state in Russia.
1917: The October Revolution and the Rise of the Soviet Union
The October Revolution in 1917 marked a pivotal moment in history as the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, seized power in Russia. This led to the establishment of the world's first socialist state based on the principles of soviet democracy and Leninism.
1919: Establishment of Institutions for Marxist Study and Ideology
In 1919, the newly established Soviet government founded the Communist Academy and the Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute. These institutions were crucial for solidifying Marxist-Leninist ideology as the foundation of the Soviet state and for conducting research and disseminating party doctrine.
1921: Founding of the Chinese Communist Party
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was founded in 1921, marking the beginning of a new era in Chinese politics. The CCP would later play a pivotal role in the Chinese Revolution.
1924: Power Struggle and Ideological Debates After Lenin's Death
Following Lenin's death in 1924, a power struggle erupted within the Soviet Communist Party, most notably between Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky. This struggle reflected differing interpretations of Marxist and Leninist theory and their application to the Soviet Union's challenges.
1929: The Rise of Marxist Archaeology in the Soviet Union
In 1929, Vladislav I. Ravdonikas spearheaded the development of Marxist archaeology in the Soviet Union. This approach critiqued traditional archaeology as inherently bourgeois and advocated for a socialist interpretation of the past.
1932: The Birth of Marxist Humanism
1932 marked the emergence of Marxist Humanism with the publication of Marx's "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844." This school of thought emphasizes the continuity between Marx's early philosophical writings and his later economic critiques, particularly his theory of alienation.
1938: C.L.R. James Publishes "The Black Jacobins"
C.L.R. James, an anti-Stalinist Marxist, published his influential work, "The Black Jacobins," in 1938. This book offered a Marxist analysis of the Haitian Revolution, highlighting the role of enslaved Africans in their fight for liberation.
1946: The Formation of the Communist Party Historians Group
A group of Marxist historians formed within the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1946. Their work was influenced by the political climate and aimed to present historical narratives aligned with Marxist ideology.
1949: The Chinese Communist Revolution and the People's Republic of China
The Chinese Communist Revolution culminated in 1949 with the establishment of the People's Republic of China. This victory was a significant triumph for Mao Zedong and his adaptation of Marxist ideology to the Chinese context.
1956: Impact of the Hungarian Revolution on British Marxist Historians
The 1956 Hungarian Revolution led to divisions within the British Marxist historians' group, with some members leaving the Communist Party while continuing their work on social and economic history from a Marxist perspective.
1959: The Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution in 1959, led by Fidel Castro, resulted in a socialist government aligned with the Soviet Union. This event had a significant impact on the Cold War and inspired socialist movements globally.
1966: Beginning of the Cultural Revolution in China
In 1966, Mao Zedong initiated the Cultural Revolution in China, aiming to purge capitalist elements from society and advance socialism.
1976: End of the Cultural Revolution and Death of Mao Zedong
The Cultural Revolution in China ended in 1976, coinciding with the death of Mao Zedong. Following this, Deng Xiaoping came into power and revised or abandoned many of Mao's policies, leading to an increase in privatized industry.
March 1985: Mikhail Gorbachev Becomes General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
In March 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev assumed the role of General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev, a reformist, aimed to steer away from Leninist models and towards social democracy.
1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union
In 1991, the Soviet Union dissolved into its constituent nations. This event was influenced by Gorbachev's reforms and a surge in ethnic nationalism. The newly independent nations abandoned Marxist-Leninist models, with most transitioning to capitalist economies.
January 2007: Hugo Chávez Declares Himself a Trotskyist
On January 2007, during his cabinet swearing-in, Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez declared himself a Trotskyist. However, Venezuelan Trotskyist organizations did not consider him as such, with some viewing him as a bourgeois nationalist and others as a well-intentioned revolutionary leader who made significant errors due to a lack of Marxist analysis.
2007: Survey on Marxist Professors in the US
A 2007 survey revealed that a notable portion of social science and humanities professors in the US identified as Marxists, indicating the continuing influence of Marxist thought within academia.
2008: Maoist Government Elected in Nepal
In 2008, Nepal saw the election of a Maoist government led by Prachanda, which came to power after a protracted guerrilla struggle.
2009: Fidel Castro Discusses Discovering Marxism
In 2009, Fidel Castro reflected on his journey of discovering Marxism, likely emphasizing its influence on his revolutionary ideology and the path of Cuba towards socialism.
2011: Publication of "Hermeneutic Communism"
In 2011, Italian Marxist Gianni Vattimo and Santiago Zabala published their book "Hermeneutic Communism", which discusses the emergence of a "new weak communism" in South America, distinct from the Soviet and Chinese models.