Karl Marx
From Turtledove
| Karl Marx | |
| |
| Historical Figure | |
| Timeline: | OTL |
| Nationality: | Prussia in modern Germany |
| Religion: | Atheist (raised in Judaism) |
| Date of Birth: | 1818 |
| Date of Death: | 1883 |
| Cause of Death: | Natural Causes |
| Occupation: | Philosopher, Author |
| Spouse: | Jenny Marx |
| Children: | Seven, many of whom did not survive childhood |
| Timeline: | The Gladiator (posthumous references) |
| Timeline: | In the Presence of Mine Enemies (posthumous references) |
| Timeline: | Southern Victory |
| Appearance(s): | How Few Remain (plus numerous posthumous references) |
| Timeline: | A World of Difference (posthumous reference) |
Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a political theorist who conceived of the idea of communism, and who supported violent revolutions by radicals as the means to ensure social progress. He was a hero of revolutionaries around the world and was revered by Communist nations such as the Soviet Union. He was also widely read by members of socialist parties in non-communist countries.
Marxists believe his ideas of dialectical materialism are universal in their applicability, and that every culture of intelligent beings will eventually adopt communism.
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[edit] Karl Marx in The Gladiator
Karl Marx and his partner Friedrich Engels was considered the founding fathers of communism in an alternate where the Soviet Union won the Cold War.
[edit] Karl Marx in In the Presence of Mine Enemies
The views of Karl Marx were suppressed by the Nazis and Fascists who controlled the world. Adolf Hitler was vocal about his hatred for Marx, and much of Hitler's own ideology was a response to what he saw as the threat of communism. Although the Soviet Union had adopted Marxism in 1917, that country's defeat during World War II eradicated communism as a practice in the world.
[edit] Karl Marx in Southern Victory
Karl Marx was greatly admired by former United States President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln did not agree with Marx's belief in violent revolution, however, and steered the Socialist Party of the United States towards change through the ballot, rather than the bullet.
In the Confederate States, however, the Negro revolutionaries embraced a purer form of communism, staging a revolt during the early years of the Great War. While various socialist republics were created, the uprising was crushed by the C.S. in short order.
In 1917, communist forces staged an uprising in Russia, which led to several years of civil war, and ultimately the defeat of Marx's disciples.
[edit] Karl Marx in A World of Difference
Oleg Lopatin believed that Karl Marx's theories of dialectical materialism applied to Minervan society. Under this philosophy, the proto-capitalist Skarmer of Hogram's domain were more "advanced" than the feudalistic Omalo of Reatur's domain. For this reason, Lopatin was a strong advocate that the Soviet mission to Minerva should support Hogram's and Fralk's invasion of Reatur's domain as fully as possible.
[edit] Karl Marx in Worldwar
Karl Marx was considered a founding father of the Soviet Union, along with Vladimir Lenin. Marx was also an inspiration for the Chinese Communist Party. His materialism was supposed to be universal, implying that revolution would eventually come to Home--a notion that profoundly offended the Race.
