Engels and the 'Nonhistoric' Peoples: The National Question in the Revolution of 1848

Engels and the 'Nonhistoric' Peoples examines Friedrich Engels' writings and positions on national liberation movements during the 1848-49 European revolutions. The book focuses on Engels' controversial stance regarding certain Slavic peoples whom he considered "nonhistoric" and incapable of independent national development. Roman Rosdolsky analyzes primary sources and correspondences to explore Engels' views within the context of 19th century revolutionary politics and nationalist movements. The work traces how these perspectives influenced socialist theory and impacted political developments in Central and Eastern Europe. The author investigates Engels' theoretical framework and its relationship to Hegel's philosophy of history, while documenting the real-world consequences of these ideas. This study includes detailed examination of specific cases involving Slavic peoples and their struggles for independence. Through this historical analysis, the book raises fundamental questions about Marxist theory, nationalism, and the complex relationship between revolutionary socialism and national liberation movements. The work continues to hold relevance for understanding modern debates about self-determination and political progress.

Limited reader reviews exist online for this specialized academic text. The few available reviews note the book provides detailed analysis of Engels' writings on smaller Eastern European ethnic groups during the 1848 revolutions. Readers appreciated: - Clear examination of Engels' problematic views on nationality - Historical context about revolutionary movements - Documentation of Engels' stance toward Slavic peoples Main criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Limited accessibility for general readers - Some translation issues noted Available ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5 ratings, 0 written reviews) No Amazon ratings or reviews found No other major review sources located Most discussion appears in academic journals rather than consumer reviews. The book remains primarily read by scholars focused on Marxist theory, Eastern European history, or nationality studies.

The Making of the English Working Class by E. P. Thompson This work examines the formation of class consciousness through historical materialism and cultural processes in a way that builds on Marxist understanding of nationalism and class.

Nations and Nationalism by Ernest Gellner The text analyzes the relationship between industrialization and nationalism, addressing similar themes about historical development of national consciousness that Rosdolsky explores.

The National Question in Marxist-Leninist Theory and Strategy by Walker Connor This book dissects how various Marxist thinkers approached questions of nationalism and ethnic identity in revolutionary contexts.

Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson The study investigates how nationalism emerged as a historical phenomenon, complementing Rosdolsky's analysis of national movements in the 19th century.

Marx at the Margins by Kevin J. Anderson This work examines Marx's writings on nationalism, ethnicity, and non-Western societies, providing context to Engels' views that Rosdolsky analyzes.

🔹 Roman Rosdolsky spent time in Nazi concentration camps during WWII, where he began developing his analysis of Engels' writings on national movements while imprisoned at Auschwitz. 🔹 The book challenges Friedrich Engels' controversial concept of "nonhistoric peoples" - smaller nations he believed were destined to disappear because they lacked the capacity for independent historical development. 🔹 Rosdolsky's work revealed how Engels' views on national liberation movements were heavily influenced by Hegel's philosophy of history, which divided nations into "historic" and "nonhistoric" peoples. 🔹 The author demonstrates how Engels initially supported pan-Slavic movements in 1848 but later opposed them when they aligned with Tsarist Russia against the German and Hungarian revolutions. 🔹 The book's analysis has become particularly relevant in modern discussions of national self-determination, as it examines how Marxist theory has historically dealt with questions of nationalism and minority rights.