Marx as a Migrant – A digital narrative

Karl Marx lived a long life as a migrant. Fleeing from the Prussian state, censorship and possible arrest, important stops on his journey were Paris, Brussels and London. These cities shaped his political activities, his engagement with political fellow-travellers, as well as his intellectual development and thus his entire work.

At the click of a mouse, you can follow Marx as a migrant from city to city. You can not only immerse yourself in his time, but also discover that even today, traces of his life and work continue to be seen in Paris, Brussels and London.

Each station takes about 45 minutes.

Contact: info@marx200.org

Marx as a Migrant

  • Paris
  • Departure into Politics

Moving into politics - deported from Paris

Between June 1844 and January 1845 the Prussian envoy in Paris intervenes thirteen times with the Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Guizot against Vorwärts! (Forwards!) and its staff; their attacks on and contempt for Prussia’s King Friedrich Wilhelm IV have long been a thorn in the side of the government in Berlin. Guizot gives the order for Bernays, Börnstein, Marx and Ruge to be deported. Marx receives his deportation order on 25 January 1845: He must leave Paris by 1 February.

Marx sets out for Brussels – the city where, three years later, he will write the Communist Manifesto together with Friedrich Engels.

Of all Parisian acquaintances, Marx wrote shortly before his departure to Heinrich Heine, he would miss the poet the most. He, in turn, looks on with a mixture of concern and admiration at the idea of communism - and the people who are passionate about it.