Karl Marx's Historical Notes

Author: (German) Marx
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: This is a historical manuscript written by Marx in his later years, approximately completed in the late 1870s and early 1880s, consisting of four notebooks. The book excerpts political and historical events of various countries, especially in Europe, from the early 1st century BC to the mid-17th century in chronological order. Karl Marx's Historical Notes is a historical manuscript written by Marx in his later years, approximately completed in the late 1870s and early 1880s, consisting of four notebooks. In this manuscript, Marx excerpts political and historical events of various countries, especially in Europe, from the early 1st century BC to the mid-17th century in chronological order. Materials on the economic development history of each nation were recorded in separate notebooks by Marx. After Marx's death, Engels, while organizing this manuscript, added the title Chronological Excerpts to it. Marx's research on various issues of world history occupies an important position in his scientific research. He studied the historical process as the actual course of history created by humanity, consistently advocating that only by carefully studying specific facts can one truly understand history. Throughout his life, Marx read many historical books and made numerous summaries and excerpts. This vast manuscript is only a part of them and also the last historical manuscript written by Marx in his lifetime.
The first notebook of Karl Marx's Historical Notes is organized chronologically from the 1st century BC to the early 14th century, covering history from the early Roman Empire to the formation of feudalism in Italy, the history of various European peoples, the history of Arabs, Turks, Mongols, and Uyghurs from the 5th to the 12th centuries, as well as the history of Northern and Eastern European countries before the mid-14th century. The 11th to 13th centuries were a period in the history of Western and Eastern countries filled with extremely important events. Therefore, the Crusades launched by feudal lords in France, Germany, Italy, and England, incited by the Roman Catholic Church, occupy a considerable portion of this notebook. The appendix includes certain chapters from the works of Bott and Schlosser, which Marx specifically pointed out for reference, allowing readers to compare and deepen their understanding of Marx's manuscript. The second notebook is a continuation of the first notebook, covering the entire 14th century and the first seven decades of the 15th century. During this period, the rise of urban powers began to shake the pillars of feudalism. In feudal Europe, class struggles were exceptionally intense, and large-scale peasant uprisings broke out. Marx documented in detail movements such as the Jacquerie, the Wat Tyler Rebellion, and the Hussite Wars in Bohemia. While studying popular movements, Marx also paid attention to the development of state institutions and military reforms. The third notebook covers the period from the mid-15th century to the late 1570s. In European and world history, these hundred years hold special significance. Near the 16th century, the era of capitalism began. The feudal system, which had reached its zenith, was in decline. Money became the dominant social force. The gold rush swept across Western Europe, and in pursuit of gold, explorers made numerous geographical discoveries. Within European countries, the prerequisites for the development of capitalist production were formed. The monarchy, in alliance with the urban bourgeoisie, crushed feudal forces, and large monarchies like England emerged. A significant portion of this notebook excerpts the Reformation and the wars related to it, as well as the civil wars that occurred throughout the 16th century in Germany, Italy, and France. The fourth notebook, the last one, records events from the last twenty-five years of the 16th century to the mid-17th century. The Thirty Years' War is a key focus. Many chapters provide detailed accounts of the events that occurred before the war, studying the history of the participating countries and their mutual relationships, clarifying their foreign policies, and the development of European and international relations at the time. In this notebook, the portion on Russia is significantly larger than the previous three, but Marx paid more attention to British history. Not only did he focus on domestic events in Britain but also on its foreign policy. The last part of this notebook consists of notes Marx made while reading Green's History of the English People. From both content and writing time, this note can be considered a direct supplement to Karl Marx's Historical Notes. The appendix includes chapters from History of the English People quoted by Marx for reference.