Karl Marx: “The Father Karl Marx: “The Father of Communism”of Communism”

Future Marxists At An Early Future Marxists At An Early Age:Age:

Lenin and StalinLenin and Stalin

Socialism According to Socialism According to MarxMarx

Karl Marx-Karl Marx- German philosopher, German philosopher, supported the establishment of supported the establishment of socialism and communism.socialism and communism.

Wrote the “Wrote the “Manifesto of the Communist Manifesto of the Communist Party”Party” along with Friedrich Engels. along with Friedrich Engels.

Marx was unhappy with capitalism and Marx was unhappy with capitalism and the negative aspects of industrialization the negative aspects of industrialization (Most significantly, the unfair (Most significantly, the unfair exploitation of the working class.exploitation of the working class.

Socialism According to Socialism According to MarxMarx

He believed that a select few in He believed that a select few in society controlled most of the wealth society controlled most of the wealth and were taking advantage of the and were taking advantage of the working class (Long hours, low pay, working class (Long hours, low pay, miserable working conditions, etc.)miserable working conditions, etc.)

2 classes emerged:2 classes emerged:1. 1. Bourgeoisie-Bourgeoisie- Those who Those who

owned the means of production and owned the means of production and were considered the wealthy class in were considered the wealthy class in a capitalist societya capitalist society

2 Classes cont.2 Classes cont.Proletariat- Proletariat- Working classes or Working classes or

lower class in Capitalist society.lower class in Capitalist society.Originally derogatory in nature, Marx Originally derogatory in nature, Marx

used the term to describe the used the term to describe the working class.working class.

What Needs To Take Place What Needs To Take Place First?First?

Marx believed that history could be Marx believed that history could be explained through class struggle explained through class struggle (Examples:(Examples: ))

Marx was convinced that history Marx was convinced that history would pass through certain phases would pass through certain phases (I.E. Feudalism, Capitalism, (I.E. Feudalism, Capitalism, Socialism) until finally a Communist Socialism) until finally a Communist society would emerge.society would emerge.

Major Historical EventsMajor Historical Events

Feudalism: This picture shows serfs at work in the fields andLouis XVI being beheadedduring French Revolution. Major events in history accordingTo Marx

Basic Characteristics Basic Characteristics of Communism:of Communism:

Collective ownership of land and the Collective ownership of land and the means of production.means of production.

Classless society (Everyone is Classless society (Everyone is =====)=====)

Everyone would work according to Everyone would work according to their abilities and…their abilities and…

Everyone receives according to their Everyone receives according to their needs.needs.

Communism Appears Communism Appears Easy, However…Easy, However…

Before it can take place, the working Before it can take place, the working class (Proletariat) in the capitalist class (Proletariat) in the capitalist nation, must rise up and overthrow nation, must rise up and overthrow the minority who controlled the the minority who controlled the means of production (Bourgeoisie).means of production (Bourgeoisie).

Marx refers to this as the Marx refers to this as the “dictatorship of the proletariat.”“dictatorship of the proletariat.”

Bolshevik Bolshevik RevolutionRevolution

CommunismCommunismAfter the proletariat has successfully After the proletariat has successfully

overthrown the bourgeoisie:overthrown the bourgeoisie:

1. Communism would gradually 1. Communism would gradually emerge.emerge.

2. The need for government 2. The need for government would no would no longer exist.longer exist.

3. There would no longer be 3. There would no longer be separate separate classes in society.classes in society.

History of Class StruggleHistory of Class Struggle

U to p ia n S o c ie ty

F e u da lism C a p ita lismB o u rge io sie /P ro le ta ria t E m e rge

S o c ia lismD ic ta to rsh ip o f th e P ro le ta ria t

C o m m u n ism