What role did Karl Marx play in the First International?

Karl Marx played a pivotal role in the First International, also known as the International Working Men’s Association, serving as its leading spirit despite not being its founder.1

After attending the 1864 inaugural meeting in London, Marx was elected to the General Council and became its corresponding secretary for Germany. He was instrumental in drafting the organization's program and constitution, utilizing his journalistic experience to shape its goals. For years, he worked to mediate between various factions and supported European trade unions in their struggles.12

Marx’s influence grew significantly following his vocal support for the Paris Commune, which he hailed as a historic achievement. However, this stance, along with his advocacy for a centralized structure and political action, led to intense conflicts with Mikhail Bakunin and other anarchists. At the 1872 Hague Congress, Marx successfully moved to transfer the General Council's headquarters to New York City to prevent the Bakuninists from seizing control, effectively leading to the organization's decline and eventual dissolution.12