Communism and Karl Marx

Who was The Communist Manifesto (1848) written by?

• Karl Marx

• Friedrich Engels

In what ways did the Communists distinguish themselves from other political parties or working class groups?

The are "the most advanced and resolute section of the working-class" (The Communist Manifesto) who lead will lead the proletariat.

What is the "distinguishing feature" of communism?

the abolition of the bourgeois property

How is modern bourgeois property defined?

The final form of the system of producing and appropriating products based on class antagonism, the exploitation of many by few.

The theory of communism can be summed up in a single sentence; what is this sentence?

the abolition of private property

Once the proletariat working class wrests power from those in power, what actions will be taken?

• all capital is taken from the bourgeoisie

• all means of production are centralized in the state (proletariat ruling class)

• increase productive forces quickly

In the so called "ten pillars" of Marxism, what would the State come to control?

• land/property

• taxes, take more money from the rich

• banks (credit), all money + loans

• means of production (factories)

• education

• communication

• travel

How would families, women, and children be impacted by the implementation of communism?

• no more child labor → kids get an education

• women are oppressed by work and men (husbands, fathers) → twice oppressed

• parents do not own their children

• marriage is bad

Eventually with the loss of the "old bourgeois society," what will be created?

A community where the development of one is the development of all.

How did Hegel (particularly Hegel's Dialectic) influence Karl Marx?

Thesis + Antithesis = Bourgeoisie + Proletariat

What elements of Karl Marx's background are important to note when discussing his works?

• his dad was a lawyer

• he was born Jewish (his dad was) but converted to Lutheranism

• he was well educated, earning a Ph.D. in philosophy

• had to flee Prussia in 1843 because he wrote articles about the laboring poor's struggles and it caught the attention of the Prussian police

• traveled all around Europe, promoting socialism and avoiding authorities

• lived a middle class life with his wife and kids, often relying on his friend, Friedrich Engels for money

• after the revolutions of 1848, he settled down in London

• friends with Friedrich Engels (who he wrote The Communist Manifest with) who was rich, coming from a family that owned factories

How is Marxism (or "Scientific Socialism") different from what Marx would have called Utopian Socialism?

• need to get completely rid of private property (VS having government regulate it)

• violent, revolutionary, people were scared of it

• redistribute property and inheritance

• lower-class needs to have a SHORT TIME dictatorship

Complete the Quote: "The History of All…is the History of Struggle" (The Communist Manifesto)

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