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Eduard Bernstein

Ferdinand Lassalle
as a social reformer

(1893)

First published as the introduction to Ferdinand Lassalles Gesammelte Reden und Schriften, vol.1, Berlin 1893.
Published in English by Swan Sonnenschein, London 1893.
Translated By Eleanor Marx-Aveling. [1]
The German edition published in 1904 under the title Ferdinand Lassalle und seine Bedeutung für die Arbeiterklasse, Berlin 1904, is a radically revised version of this book, reflecting Bernstein’s conversion from Marxism to revisionism.
Transcribed by Ted Crawford. (note)
Marked up by Einde O’Callaghan for the Marxists’ Internet Archive.

Preface

I. The political position in Germany at the beginning of Lassalle’s agitation

II. Lassalle’s youth and early manhood – The Hatzfeld lawsuit, 1848 – Franz von Sickingen

III. Lassalle and the Italian War

IV. The System of Acquired Rights, and other minor works (1860-1861)

V. The struggle for a constitution in Prussia – Lassalle and the “Progressist Party” – The Worker’s Programme

VI. Breach with the Progressist Party – The Open Reply Letter; its political portion

VII. The Open Reply Letter; its economic portion – The iron law of wages, and productive co-operative societies with state-help

VIII. Lassalle as agitator and leader of the Association

IX. Vain attempts to compel immediate political success – Approaching the reactionary government of Prince Bismarck – Lassalle’s death

X. Conclusion – Lassalle’s legacy to the German working class movement

 

Note

1. In this text Eleanor Marx uses the term “middle class” to translate the German words “bürgerlich” and “Bürgertum”. In the Victorian period this term was used to refer to the bourgeoisie or capitalist class. In modern Marxist terminology the words “middle class” would be replaced by “bourgeois” and “bourgeoisie“ as appropriate.

 

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Last updated on 21.1.2003