Karl Marx & The Communist Manifesto

“Religion is the opiate of the masses.”

What does this mean?

“Workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your

chains.”

Who is Karl Marx?

• German philosopher

• Thought utopia was unrealistic

• Wrote the Communist Manifesto in 1848

What is communism?

• A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members.

• The Marxist version of Communist doctrine advocates the overthrow of capitalism by a revolution of the proletariat (working class)

Communism?

• True communism has never existed…

• The government (of any country) has never given up control of the means of production.

Marx’s 6 Stages to History

• Marx thought all of history is a STRUGGLE between haves and have nots.

• Primitive Communism = pre-history, no one has anything, everyone is equal

Stage 2

• Slave Societies = Greeks & Romans, this is the beginning of class struggle between the haves and have nots

Stage 3

• Feudalism = Middle Ages, Nobles are above the peasants

Stage 4

• Capitalism = Competition in the economy

• Bourgeoisie = Haves

• Proletariat = Have Nots

• Haves EXPLOIT (take advantage of) the have nots

Stage 5

• Socialism = Government takes over control of the means of production. The struggle between haves and have nots is over.

• Means of Production = All of the expensive goods that you need to be wealthy in a capitalist society.

Stage 6

• Communism = No government control of the means of production…no classes in society

• The way to go from socialism to communism is a VIOLENT overthrow of the bourgeoisie by the proletariat.

According to Marx

• History = struggle between the haves and have nots

• In the end, Marx believed the proletariat (working class) would be successful.

• Society would be classless = communist

Communism put simply =

From each according to his abilities… to each according to his needs.

TranslationGive what you can

&Take what you need.