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.
 Marxs 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 productionno 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.

Translation
Give what you can
&
Take what you need.