In Survival in Auschwitz by Primo Levi, Levi argued that one survived in Auschwitz by maintaining his humanity. In Auschwitz, everything possible was done to strip people of their humanity: upon arriving, people were robbed of their clothes, belongings, and money. They were then shaved and tattooed with numbers that replaced their names. People in Auschwitz lived without food or proper medical treatment; most were separated from their families. Everyone was forced to do back-breaking labor day after day with little to look forward to or hope for.… Read the rest here
Author Archives: reedk
The Economic Consequences of Peace
The Economic Consequences of Peace addresses the effects of the Versailles treaty on the already fragile German system. It described provisions of the Versailles treaty and then illustrates the tragic effects. Keynes explained how before the war the population was living “without much margin of surplus” (Keynes), and in the aftermath people had to restore this system before starvation became a huge issue. Keynes also issued the warning that “men will not always die quietly”, directing this at politicians and men in power and saying that the negative temperaments brought on by starvation/desperation could be fuel for future issues.… Read the rest here
Socialist Opinions in an Industrial Society
Robert Owen
Author
- Robert Owen
- English cotton manufacturer
- “Utopian” socialist and workers’ rights advocate
- Headed England’s Revolutionary Trades Union movement in 1830s
- Worked in America/England
Context
- Industrial Revolution is booming
- Working conditions are not good and there are few laws in place to protect them
- In United States, President Andrew Jackson defunded Second Bank of U.S. on March 28 (much to many peoples’ disapproval)
Language
- Negative opinion on the flaws of the system
- Persuasive with extended flowery (yet still understandable) language
Audience
- Literate upper/middle class
- Voters, landowners, business owners (people of everyday influence)
- Great Britain’s people
Intent
- Explain why the current system is so flawed
- Incite change in a bloodless revolution
Message
- Unite as Consolidated Union
- By holding a strong moral influence, help man reach its full potential outside the evil grasps of the current flawed system
Karl Marx
Author
- Karl Marx
- Wealthy middle class
- When this was published he was working as the editor to a paper in Paris
Context
- Industrial Revolution
- Very poor conditions for workers
- France during the July Monarchy
Language
- Very philosophical… breaks down each basic element and defines/redefines to reach a certain conclusion
- Rational
- Easy to understand and follow
Audience
- Workers
- Lower classes of Paris
Intent
- Reach the workers and convince them of a socialist system where they are not devalued
Message
- Political economy based on greed and competition
- Workers are objectified, estranged, and treated poorly in a system based on greed
- People are alienated from their products by the system which contradicts their nature
- Private property causes this estrangement
Claude Henri de Rouvroy, comte de Saint-Simon
Author
- Claude Henri de Rouvroy, comte de Saint-Simon
- Scientist, businessman, and theorist
- Writing had more influence after his death
Context
- France under Napoleon’s constitutional monarchy
- Industrial rev with poor working conditions and a lot of angry, hungry workers
Language
- Emotional and persuasive
- Many questions
Audience
- Working class and middle class
Intent
- Offer an opinion against laissez-faire economics
Message
- Personal and social interests do not always coincide, which is why laissez-faire economics don’t always work
- Those at the top become corrupted while those at the bottom suffer