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"The struggle for such a policy is embraced in the universal struggle for the emancipation of the working class. And so I say to you, proletarians of all lands, unite!"
―Karl Marx delivering a speech on unions, 1868.[src]-[m]

Karl Heinrich Marx (1818 – 1883) was a German philosopher, economist, journalist and sociologist of Hebrew descent who is considered the founder of the ideology of Marxism. He was also an associate of twin Master Assassins Jacob and Evie Frye during his time in London.

Throughout his life, Marx published several books, the most famous of which are arguably The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital. His work in economics laid the basis for much of the current understanding of labour and its relation to capital, as well as subsequent economic thought.

Although many revolutionaries, such as Vladimir Lenin, Josef Stalin, Mao Zedong, and Fidel Castro would later cite Marx as an influence, their fidelity to Marx's ideas is highly contested.

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.[1]

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.[1]

Working with the Frye twins

Marx: "Indeed, 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.[src]-[m]
ACS Cat and Mouse 2

Karl Marx meeting the Frye twins.

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.[2]

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.[2]

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.[2]

ACS Where there's smoke 5

Karl meeting with the twins again.

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.[3]

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.[4]

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 one of the Frye twins.[5]

Grateful to their services, Marx subsequently asked them to join the Worker's Party. Both siblings declined, Jacob claiming he was not interested in politics and Evie referencing other responsibilities. The philosopher then suggested he give them honorary memberships instead, but the pair again refused, with Jacob pointing out that Marx did not give up easily. To this, Marx good-naturedly replied that they appeared to have that in common, following which he bid the twins goodbye.[6]

Personality and traits

"Killing people and destroying property solves nothing. Democracy is the only road to socialism."
―Karl Marx rejecting violence as a method to achieve the emancipation of the working class, 1868.[src]-[m]

During the mid-19th century, Marx was a staunch defender of the working class and an idealist, believing that reforms could be achieved if the proletariat stood together in solidarity. Still, he was aware that this was not an easy task, remarking that people would often act in their own self-interest rather than unite against injustice and corruption.[1]

Despite his passion for the cause, Marx refused to resort to violent methods to effect change. Due to this, he did not agree with Morris' plan to take revenge on the government for enabling the abuse of the working class. Rather, Marx believed that the workers needed to attain political power so they themselves could introduce change and break free from the capitalist system that exploited them.[1]

Gallery

Appearances

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Assassin's Creed: SyndicateDatabase: Karl Marx
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Assassin's Creed: SyndicateCat and Mouse
  3. Assassin's Creed: SyndicateWhere There is Smoke
  4. Assassin's Creed: SyndicateAnarchist Intervention
  5. Assassin's Creed: SyndicateAn Explosive End
  6. Assassin's Creed: SyndicateVox Populi

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