Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:

"Socialism was a direct response to the Industrial Revolution, which brought enormous economic and social change to Great Britain and the rest of the world. As industrialists grew wealthy on the labor of workers who increasingly lived in poverty, socialism emerged as an alternative to capitalism, one that could improve life for the working class."

(Source: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/socialism.asp)

(a) How did the exploitation of workers lead to the growth of socialism?

(b) What were the core principles of socialism that challenged capitalism?

(c) Discuss the role of Karl Marx and Engels in promoting socialist ideas.

(a) The Industrial Revolution created a sharp divide between the wealthy industrialists and the working class. While factory owners gained significant profits, many workers faced long hours, low wages, and poor working conditions. This exploitation made people question the fairness of capitalism, which allowed such inequality. As a result, socialism emerged as a response, aiming to protect worker's rights, ensure fair distribution of wealth, and promote social justice. It grew as more people sought an economic system that valued the well-being of the majority over the profits of a few.

(b) The key principles of socialism were:

1. It is opposed to private property or accumulation of capital in the hands of a few individuals.
2. It demands a just and equal distribution of wealth amongst all.
3. It is the demand of the working class.

(c) Karl Marx and his friend Frederick Engels played a key role in promoting socialist ideas through their writings. They co-authored the 'Communist Manifesto' and later wrote 'Das Kapital', where they discussed the ongoing class struggle between capitalists and workers. Marx believed that this struggle would eventually lead to the victory of the working class and the creation of a classless and stateless society. Their works laid the foundation for socialism and became influential in shaping labor movements worldwide.