First International

The First International, officially known as the International Workingmen's Association (IWA), was founded in 1864 in London. Its main goal was to unite various socialist, communist, and labor movements to improve workers' rights and tackle social injustices. It advocated for better working conditions, political representation, and social reforms. Key figures included Karl Marx, who influenced its direction. The organization aimed to foster solidarity among workers globally but faced challenges, leading to its dissolution in the 1870s. The legacy of the First International persists in today’s labor movements and socialist organizations, influencing contemporary social and political activism.