Proudhonism in the Latin countries, and the specific Lassalleanism in Germany, were dying out; and even the ten arch-conservative English trade unions were gradually approaching the point where, in 1887, the chairman of their Swansea Congress could say in their name: “Continental socialism has lost its terror for us.” Yet by 1887 continental socialism was almost exclusively the theory heralded in the Manifesto. Thus, to a certain extent, the history of the Manifesto reflects the history of the modern working-class movement since 1848.
Mawazo ya Proudhon katika nchi za Kilatini na mawazo ya Lassalle katika Ujerumani yalikuwa yakififia, na hata vyama vya wafanya kazi vya Uingereza vya wakati huo vilivyokuwa ndio nguzo ya wahifadhi wakubwa vilikuwa pole pole vikifika hadi ambapo mwaka 1887 mwenye kiti wa Mkutano wao Mkuu katika Swansea aliweza kusema kwa niaba yao: "Usoshialist wa Kontinenti haututishi tena." Lakini Usoshialist wa Kontinenti mwaka 1887 ulikuwa takriban ni mawazo tu yatangazwayo katika "Maelezo". Basi taarikh ya "Maelezo" kwa daraja maalum ni taarikh ya nyendo za kisasa za wafanya kazi tangu mwaka 1848.