“An Unfinished Revolution: Karl Marx and Abraham Lincoln” explores the intriguing and often overlooked connections between Karl Marx, the father of modern socialism and communism, and Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. president who led the country through its Civil War and abolished slavery. Written by Robin Blackburn, the book provides an in-depth look at the ways in which Marx viewed Lincoln and the American Civil War, as well as how the war itself became a point of intersection for broader revolutionary movements of the time.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the themes, ideas, and historical context explored in the book:
Central Thesis:
Blackburn’s book argues that the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery were not just national events but part of a broader global struggle for human liberation and social revolution. He contends that both Lincoln and Marx, despite their differences in ideology and social backgrounds, were engaged in parallel struggles for freedom — Lincoln within the confines of American democracy and Marx from a more radical, international perspective.
The book delves into how Marx and Lincoln represented two different but complementary sides of a revolutionary period — one dealing with the immediate political struggles against slavery, and the other with the broader global conflict between labor and capital.
Major Themes and Historical Context:
Marx’s View of the American Civil War:
- Marx saw the American Civil War as part of a broader conflict between the forces of capitalism and feudalism, and between free labor and slave labor. He believed that the victory of the Union over the Confederacy would be a decisive blow against feudalism and a step forward for the global working class.
- In his writings, particularly in correspondence with the International Workingmen’s Association (First International), Marx expressed support for Lincoln’s efforts to preserve the Union and end slavery, seeing the American fight against slavery as aligned with the European fight against aristocratic and capitalist oppression.
Lincoln’s Leadership and Marx’s Praise:
- Despite their ideological differences, Marx greatly admired Lincoln for his steadfast leadership during the Civil War. In 1864, the International Workingmen’s Association, led by Marx, sent a congratulatory letter to Lincoln upon his re-election, commending him for his role in leading the fight against slavery and upholding the principles of democracy and human liberty.
- Lincoln responded graciously to the letter, acknowledging the support of workers around the world and expressing solidarity with their struggles. This correspondence highlights the mutual respect between the two men, despite their differing perspectives on the broader economic system.
Revolutionary Dimensions of the Civil War:
- Blackburn emphasizes that the American Civil War was not just a political conflict between North and South, but a social revolution in its own right. The abolition of slavery, the mobilization of African Americans into the Union army, and the eventual passage of the 13th Amendment were all revolutionary in scope.
- Marx viewed the Civil War as an essential part of the broader global struggle for the rights of labor. For Marx, the defeat of slavery in the U.S. was a necessary step toward the liberation of workers worldwide, as slavery represented the most extreme form of capitalist exploitation.
The Limits of Lincoln’s Revolution:
- Blackburn argues that while Lincoln’s role in the abolition of slavery was undoubtedly revolutionary, his vision of freedom and equality had significant limitations. Lincoln believed in the free labor ideology — the idea that all men should have the right to work for themselves and improve their own condition through hard work and merit. However, Marx’s critique was that the capitalist system Lincoln defended still relied on exploitation and inequality, even without slavery.
- Marx hoped that the abolition of slavery in the U.S. would lead to a broader critique and eventual overthrow of the capitalist system. However, this aspect of the revolution remained unfinished, as the victory of the North in the Civil War did not bring about the kind of fundamental transformation in the economic structure that Marx had hoped for.
Lincoln, Marx, and the Working Class:
- Blackburn highlights how the working-class movements in both Europe and America viewed the Civil War as a key event in their own struggles. Workers in England, despite the economic hardships caused by the cotton embargo, overwhelmingly supported the Union cause, seeing the fight against slavery as part of their own struggle for better labor conditions.
- Marx was deeply involved in organizing working-class support for the Union in Europe, and he saw the eventual victory of the North as a triumph not just for the United States, but for the international labor movement.
Post-Civil War Reconstruction:
- After Lincoln’s assassination, Marx and his followers were deeply concerned about the direction of Reconstruction in the South. Blackburn examines how the promise of full civil rights and economic equality for former slaves was undermined by political compromises, the rise of white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, and the failure to implement thorough land reform.
- Marx believed that the failure of Reconstruction to fully integrate freed slaves into the economic and political life of the nation was a missed opportunity for a more profound social transformation. Blackburn’s analysis suggests that Lincoln’s death and the subsequent retreat from radical Reconstruction delayed the possibility of a more thorough and lasting revolution in American society.
International Implications of the Civil War:
- The Civil War had global ramifications, particularly in Europe, where revolutionary movements were gaining momentum. Marx saw the victory of the Union as a positive development for international socialism, as it weakened the forces of aristocracy and reaction in Europe.
- Blackburn points out that Lincoln’s fight against slavery was admired not only by Marxists but also by liberals and progressives around the world, who saw it as a victory for democratic principles and human rights.
Character Analysis: Lincoln and Marx:
- Abraham Lincoln:
- Lincoln is portrayed as a pragmatic leader who was initially hesitant to take a strong stand against slavery but who eventually embraced the cause of abolition as a moral and political necessity. Blackburn emphasizes Lincoln’s skill in navigating the political complexities of the Civil War, balancing competing interests, and gradually moving the country toward a more just society.
- However, Lincoln’s vision of freedom was still rooted in the capitalist framework, which Marx saw as inherently exploitative. Blackburn explores the tension between Lincoln’s commitment to free labor and the limitations of his ability to challenge the deeper economic inequalities embedded in the system.
- Karl Marx:
- Marx is presented as a visionary thinker who saw the American Civil War as part of a larger global struggle for the rights of workers. He believed that the defeat of slavery would strike a blow against the capitalist system, but he also recognized the limitations of Lincoln’s revolution in achieving true economic equality.
- Marx’s writings on the Civil War reflect his belief in the importance of international solidarity among workers and his hope that the abolition of slavery would inspire further revolutionary movements in Europe and beyond.
Conclusion:
“An Unfinished Revolution: Karl Marx and Abraham Lincoln” by Robin Blackburn provides a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the connections between the American Civil War, abolition, and the global revolutionary movements of the 19th century. While Lincoln and Marx came from different worlds, their struggles for human freedom intersected in important ways.
Blackburn argues that while Lincoln’s revolution was incomplete — particularly in terms of addressing economic inequality — it was nonetheless a significant step toward the liberation of oppressed people. The book suggests that the Civil War was part of a broader, unfinished revolution that continues to resonate in contemporary struggles for social justice, workers’ rights, and equality.
By connecting Lincoln’s fight against slavery with Marx’s broader critique of capitalism, Blackburn offers a compelling argument that the American Civil War should be seen as part of the global history of revolution and human emancipation.
