The result was growing confusion, great suffering amongst the working classes, and, as a consequence, great discontent.

For a long time matters went on like this.

The power of the upper classes had lessened, as their command over wealth lessened, and they could not carry things wholly by the high hand as they had been used to in earlier days.

So far the State Socialists were justified by the result.

On the other hand, the working classes were ill-organised, and growing poorer in reality, in spite of the gains (also real in the long run) which they had forced from the masters.