Woman Under Socialism

by August Bebel

Overview

This translation was first published in 1910. According to the Translator's Preface: "Bebel's work, "Die Frau und der Socialismus," rendered in this English version with the title "Woman under Socialism," is the best-aimed shot at the existing social system, both strategically and tactically considered. It is wise tactics and strategy to attack an enemy on his weakest side. The Woman Question is the weakest link in the capitalist mail. " According to Wikipedia: "Ferdinand August Bebel (22 February 1840, Deutz, Cologne – 13 August 1913 Passugg, Graubünden) was a German Marxist politician, writer, and orator. He is best remembered as one of the founders of the Social Democratic Party of Germany."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781455414765
Publisher:	B&R Samizdat Express
Publication date:	04/01/2011
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER I. BEFORE CHRISTIANITY. Woman and the workingman have, since old, had this in common— oppression. The forms of oppression have suffered changes in the course of time, and in various countries. But the oppression always remained. Many a time and oft, in the course of the ages, did the oppressed become conscious of their oppression; and such conscious knowledge of their condition did bring on changes and reliefs Nevertheless, a knowledge, that grasped the actual feature of the oppression by grasping its causes, is, with woman as with the workingman, the fruit of our own days. The actual feature of society, and of the laws that lie at the bottom of its development, had first to be known, before a general movement could take place for the removal of conditions, recognized as oppressive and unjust. The breadth and intensity of such a movement depends, however, upon the measure of the understanding prevalent among the suffering social layers and circles, and upon the measure of freedom of motion that they enjoy. In both respects, woman stands, through custom and education, as well as the freedom allowed her by law, behind the workingman. To this, another circumstance is added. Conditions, lasting through a long series of generations, finally grow into custom; heredity and education then cause such conditions to appear on both sides as "natural." Hence it comes that, even to-day, woman in particular, accepts her subordinate position as a matter of course. It is no easy matter to make her understand that that position is unworthy, and that it is her duty to endeavor to become a member of society, equal-righted with, and in every sense a peer of man. However much in commonwoman may be shown to have with the workingman, she leads him in one thing:—Woman was the first human...