On Fri, Aug 01, 2008 at 10:36:40PM -0400, Seth Ackerman wrote:
> I stumbled on this article while trawling JSTOR. I draw no particular
> conclusions from it, but it reminded me of several threads gone by....
>
> ---
>
> Alienation, Communism, and Revolution in the Marx-Engels Briefwechsel
> Oscar J. Hammen
> Journal of the History of Ideas, Vol. 33, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1972), pp.
> 77-100
>
> [pp. 91-92]
>
> Marx and Engels speculated endlessly on the chances of revolution resulting
> from an endless variety of causes...Above all, they chronically searched
> the market place for signs of an economic depression, conducive to domestic
> discontent, internal paralysis, and proletarian unrest. Engels'
> observations covering the period before 1848 had caused him to conclude
> that such "crises" followed a cyclical pattern - every 5-7 years - and Marx
> was equally optimistic regarding the periodic recurrence of depressions.
> When an era of unprecedented prosperity followed the 1847 crash, it merely
> guaranteed the appearance of an equally devastating fall that would follow.
> The "crash" would be "gay" following so much production, Engels wrote.60
> Marx simultaneously saw "very pleasing prospects of a commercial crisis" as
> a distinct endorsement of Engels' prognosis.61 Engels thereafter decided
> that the stimulus furnished by California's gold was postponing the event
> into 1852-53. Following such a colossal output of wares, however, the crash
> would be "beautiful."62 But the expected depression was postponed for
> several additional years.
>
> The joy was all the greater when an unmistakable crisis did appear in 1856.
> This time there would be a "day of wrath" as never before, Engels exulted.
> All of Europe's industry was "kaputt."63 The greater the pressure grew, the
> greater the wrath of the workers would be.64 The same tonic livened the
> spirits of Marx. Regardless of his own personal and family distress (a
> chronic condition over many years), he never felt so "cosy" (sic) since
> 1849 as in this "outbreak."65 A mood of gay anticipation livened the
> spirits of both on such occasions. Engels' "dullness" was transformed into
> "elasticity and bouncing," (sic) as he visited the stock market where his
> "suddenly elated mood" angered everybody. This time no new California,
> Australia, or the opening of China were there to give a new stimulus to
> trade. But, Engels reflected, the pressure first had to become chronic so
> as to "warm up the masses." Since the long prosperity must have made the
> masses "damnably lethargic," a delay was necessary so the proletariat would
> fight with a better connaisance de cause. Otherwise the battle would be
> harder, more extended, and uncertain. "In 1848, we said, now our time has
> come, and it came in a certain sense," Engels continued. "This time it will
> come completely; now it is a life and death matter. My military studies
> therewith become more practical; I am studying the present organization and
> basic tactics of the Prussian, Austrian, Bavarian and French armies.
> Otherwise I only go hunting, that is fox hunting - which is the real
> school."66
>
> 60Engels to Marx, July 30, 1851; ibid., 223-24. The Marx-Engels letters
> frequently used English words like "crash," "gay," etc. 61Marx to Engels,
> July 31, 1851; ibid., 224. 62Engels to Marx, Mar. 2, 1852; ibid., 324-25.
> 63Engels to Marx, Sept. 26, 1856; Briefwechsel, II, 149-51. 64Engels to
> Marx, Nov. 17, 1856; ibid., 155-57. 65Marx to Engels, Nov. 13, 1857; ibid.,
> 238-39. 66Engels to Marx, Nov. 15, 1857; ibid., 239-43.
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-- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu michaelperelman.wordpress.com