Karl Marx

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"We must attempt the political reorganization of the workers if we are to improve their lot. The workers must go forward in a united fashion, with the simultaneous demand that the simple laws of morality and justice, which are considered right in the relations of private persons, shall be recognized as the supreme law governing labour in this country!"

―Karl Marx giving a speech, 1868.

Karl Heinrich Marx (1818 – 1883) was a German philosopher, economist, journalist and sociologist considered the founder of the ideology of Marxism.

Biography

Early life

Born in Trier, Marx studied at the universities of Bonn and Berlin. He went on to write for the radical newspaper Rheinische Zeitung in Cologne and began work on his theory of historical materialism. In 1843, he moved to Paris, where he wrote for several other radical newspapers and met Friedrich Engels, his lifelong friend and collaborator.

However, Marx's revolutionary views brought him into trouble with the police, and he was eventually forced to flee to Brussels, where he and Engels wrote one of their most influential works, The Communist Manifesto. After spending a period of time in Cologne, Marx and his family were exiled to London in 1849. There, he continued writing and developing his theories about social and economic activity.

Working with the Frye twins

Marx: "You've done more for London's citizens lately than any endeavor has accomplished in a decade. But those citizens were already well provided for. I challenge you both to help those who REALLY need your assistance. The working people."

Evie: "An interesting challenge. We accept."

—Marx meeting the Frye twins, 1868.

A passionate activist, Marx was known to organize meetings with like-minded individuals during his time in London, which earned him the ire of the local police force. In 1868, he met the Assassin siblings, Jacob and Evie Frye, whom he congratulated on their efforts to aid the people of London. However, he also noted that they had not focused enough on the working class, whom he felt really needed their help.

In response, the Frye twins, particularly Evie, offered to assist Marx so that he could make it to one of his gatherings. They subsequently took out spies of the London police, allowing Marx to successfully contact his allies and give them the time and place of the meeting. While on his way there, he discovered one of his allies, Simon, had betrayed him and asked one of the twins to deliver the traitor to him.

The Assassin thus removed Simon from his companions and brought him to Marx, who scolded Simon before giving him leave to go. Marx then thanked one of the Frye twins and expressed his hopes that they would continue to aid the working people.

Sometime after, Marx requested further assistance from the siblings; he believed a local factory was abusing its workforce, but lacked substantial proof. He then suggested to his friend that they could set fire to a few cotton bales inside and steal the factory's reports in the ensuing confusion. The Assassin subsequently acquired the documents and delivered them to Marx.

Marx would contact one of the Frye twins again, this time to ask them to prevent a friend of his, Frank Morris, from blowing up the Palace of Westminster with Templar explosives. Marx was later informed that, despite the Assassin's best efforts, Morris had died in an explosion due to his own reckless revenge-driven behavior. Saddened, he nonetheless thanked them for having prevented a greater tragedy.

Later, Marx was to give a speech on reforms, but feared saboteurs would incite violence during the meeting. He requested one of the Frye twins to keep an eye out for any troublemakers and remove them from the crowds if necessary. The event nonetheless descended into violence when a group of Blighters appeared and attempted to kill Marx, though they were foiled by the one of the Frye twins.

Grateful to their services, Marx asked them to join the Worker's Party. Both siblings declined, Jacob claiming he was not interested in politcs and Evie referencing other responsibilities. Marx then suggested he give them honorary memberships instead, but the pair again refused.

Personality and characteristics

"I believe that it is not necessary that the means of labour should be monopolized as a means of dominating the workers and exploiting them. That just like slavery and serfdom, so also wage labour is only a transitory subordinate social form, which is destined to vanish before associated labour, which will accomplish its work with willing hands, vigorous mind and cheerful heart."

―Karl Marx during his speech, 1868.

Karl Marx was a calm-minded and logical individual and, as the founder of Marxist philosophy, a man of equality and justice for society. Marx showed great concern for the well-being of mistreated workers during the 19th century. He was no fan of corruption nor capitalism which was prevalent during his time.

He believed that democracy was the only road to socialism and that murder nor destruction of property would grant it.

Gallery

• 
  Marx with Jacob Frye

Reference

• Assassin's Creed: Syndicate