Karl Marx: “The Father of

Communism”
Future Marxists At An Early Age:
Lenin and Stalin
 Socialism According to Marx
 Karl Marx- German philosopher,
supported the establishment of socialism
and communism.
 Wrote the “Manifesto of the Communist
Party” along with Friedrich Engels.
 Marx was unhappy with capitalism and the
negative aspects of industrialization (Most
significantly, the unfair exploitation of the
working class.
 Socialism According to Marx
 He believed that a select few in society
controlled most of the wealth and were
taking advantage of the working class
(Long hours, low pay, miserable working
conditions, etc.)
 2 classes emerged:
1. Bourgeoisie- Those who owned the
means of production and were considered
the wealthy class in a capitalist society
 2 Classes cont.
 Proletariat- Working classes or lower
class in Capitalist society.
 Originally derogatory in nature, Marx used
the term to describe the working class.
 What Needs To Take Place
First?
 Marx believed that history could be
explained through class struggle
(Examples: )
 Marx was convinced that history would
pass through certain phases (I.E.
Feudalism, Capitalism, Socialism) until
finally a Communist society would emerge.
 Major Historical Events

Feudalism: This picture shows

serfs at work in the fields and
Louis XVI being beheaded
during French Revolution.
Major events in history according
To Marx
 Basic Characteristics of
Communism:
 Collective ownership of land and the
means of production.
 Classless society (Everyone is =====)
 Everyone would work according to their
abilities and…
 Everyone receives according to their
needs.
 Communism Appears Easy,
However…
 Before it can take place, the working class
(Proletariat) in the capitalist nation, must
rise up and overthrow the minority who
controlled the means of production
(Bourgeoisie).
 Marx refers to this as the “dictatorship of
the proletariat.”
Bolshevik Revolution
 Communism
 After the proletariat has successfully
overthrown the bourgeoisie:
1. Communism would gradually
emerge.
2. The need for government would no
longer exist.
3. There would no longer be separate
classes in society.
History of Class Struggle

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