International Workingmen's Association (First International)

The International Workingmen's Association, also known as the First International, was founded in 1864 to unite various labor movements and socialist groups across Europe and beyond. It aimed to improve workers’ rights and conditions amidst the rapid industrialization of the time. The association facilitated discussion on social and political issues affecting laborers, promoting solidarity among workers. Key figures included Karl Marx, who contributed to its ideas, particularly on class struggle. While it disbanded in 1876, the First International laid the groundwork for future labor movements and set the stage for international cooperation among workers.