Research On Engels’ Historical Materialist Letters In His Later Years

"Just as Darwin discovered the law of development of the organic world,Marx discovered the law of development of human history." Historical materialism is one of the great discoveries in Marx’s life,which plays an important role in the theoretical system of Marxism.It correctly reveals the general law of development of human society and points out the direction of social development.Engels and Marx were close comrades-in-arms,and together they founded historical materialism.After Marx’s death,Engels kept writing and fully defended and developed historical materialism.In the process of shoulder ing the burden of developing historical materialism alone,he obtained a series of theoretical research results,some of which are of great significance to the deepening and development of historical materialism.The study of Engels’ letters of historical materialism in his later years is of great theoretical significance and practical value to help us scientifically analyze the actual situation in the process of modernization and solve the new practical problems in the new era.In addition to the introduct ion,this study will be carried out from the following five aspects:The first part makes a comprehensive analysis of the background of Engels’ letter creation in his later years.The definition of "Engels’ s later years" is given,and the new characteristics of capitalism development and the realistic background of the new situation of workers’ movement practice are analyzed.This paper expounds the necessity for historical materialism to improve and develop itself.These letters have responded to the distortion and criticism suffered by historical materialism,and at the same time,they have drawn new experiences and lessons from the practice of the workers’ movement,and have profoundly shown the distinctive times and realistic pertinence.In the second part,based on the previous analysis and understanding of the background of the letter writing,the main contents of the letter are respectively elaborated in detail,including the reaffirmation of the correctness of historical materialism;Expounding the dialectical relationship between economic base and superstructure;The deepening of the thought of "combined will" in historical development;As well as the dialectical relationship between accident and necessity of historical movement.In the third part,based on a comprehensive understanding of the basic contents of letters,the basic characteristics of the deepening and development of historical materialism are discussed.Engels insisted on the unity of materialism and dialectics,the unity of the regularity of historical development and the subjective initiative of human beings,based on the scientific view of practice,the theory of keeping pace with the times,and fully reflected the methodological principles of social system theory.The fourth part,after analyzing the contents and characteristics of the letter,expounds the historical position of the letter,which is the radical reform and development of historical materialism.In his letters,Engels reiterated the scientific nature of historical materialism,and at the same time emphasized that historical materialism is the guide of research work,and highlighted the methodological function of historical materialism.The letter summed up the new situation and experience of the workers’ movement under the characteristics of the new development of capitalism,adhered to the revolutionary strategy of keeping pace with the times,and provided theoretical guidance for the practice of the workers’ movement.The fifth part mainly expounds the theoretical signif icance and practical value of letters.It is of great theoretical guiding significance for us to study the theory of historical materialism and criticize all kinds of erroneous thoughts and historical nihilism.At the same time,it is of great practical significance to the practice of China’s modernization.