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Primary sourceBook1913

The Accumulation of Capital

Rosa Luxemburg · 1913

Luxemburg's 1913 economic treatise arguing that capitalism's expansion drives imperialism and will eventually collapse.

Luxemburg wrote this major economic treatise explaining imperialism, revealing her depth as a Marxist theorist beyond activism.

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Title page of the 1913 German first edition of Rosa Luxemburg's 'Die Akkumulation des Kapitals', printed in blackletter type. Author name at top, subtitle 'Ein Beitrag zur ökonomischen Erklärung des Imperialismus', and imprint 'Berlin 1913, Verlag Buchhandlung Vorwärts Paul Singer G.m.b.H.' at bottom.
Rosa Luxemburg, Die Akkumulation des Kapitals, first edition, Berlin 1913.

About this source

What it is

This is a book written by Rosa Luxemburg in 1913, developed from material she taught at the SPD's party school between 1907 and 1914. It was published in Berlin in 1913 and later translated into English in 1951 with an introduction by economist Joan Robinson.

Why it matters

Luxemburg argued that capitalism cannot grow using only capitalists and workers; it must expand into non-capitalist societies, which she said explained imperialism's violence. The book provoked fierce criticism from Marxists like Nikolai Bukharin and Otto Bauer but praise from others like Franz Mehring, and it later influenced economists such as David Harvey. It shows Luxemburg as a serious theorist, not only an activist.

Look closer

  • Why might an economic theory about imperialism also be a political argument against war?
  • What does the strong disagreement it caused among fellow Marxists tell you about the socialist movement at the time?
  • Why do you think this theory still interests economists today?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Rosa Luxemburg on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of the 1899 German pamphlet 'Sozialreform oder Revolution?' in blackletter type, with the subtitle 'Mit einem Anhang: Miliz und Militarismus', author 'Rosa Luxemburg', and imprint 'Leipzig 1899' with publisher details.Book

Primary source

Social Reform or Revolution

Rosa Luxemburg · 1898-1899 (published 1899)

Front cover of a book in orange-brown with a black decorative zigzag-bordered panel reading ROSA LUXEMBURG, DIE RUSSISCHE REVOLUTION in orange lettering. Below is a circular publisher emblem with a stylized figure and the text VERLAGSGESELLSCHAFT UND ERZIEHUNG. Handwritten library marks DK 265 and L 88 appear at top left.Book

Primary source

The Russian Revolution: A Critical Appreciation

Rosa Luxemburg · 1918 (published 1922)

Title page of 'The Crisis in the German Social-Democracy (The Junius Pamphlet)', with authors listed as Karl Liebknecht, Rosa Luxemburg and Franz Mehring, price 35 cents, published by The Socialist Publication Society, New York, 431 Pulaski St., Brooklyn, N.Y., 1918.Book

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The Junius Pamphlet

Rosa Luxemburg · 1915 (published 1916)

Newspaper article

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Was will der Spartakusbund?

Rosa Luxemburg · December 1918

Black and white studio portrait of a woman with dark hair pinned up, looking toward the viewer with a serious expression. She wears a light, collared blouse against a dark gray backdrop.Photograph

Primary source

Portrait of Rosa Luxemburg

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