Karl Marx The Father of Modern Communism Marxism Christina Rouse

Karl Marx Philosopher, Social Theorist, Political Economist, Historian, Communist and Revolutionary

Influences

Influences Growing Up  Marx was provided an education across the board by his father. Because of this, he received schooling in things such as Greek philosophy and journalism. These fields helped him develop and publish his ideas.  Marx was mentored by nobleman Ludwig von Westphalen. Westphalen introduced Marx to the ideas of socialist Henri de Saint-Simon and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich von Hegel.  Hegel’s ideas would later become the basis of Marx’s Dialectical Materialism theory.

Marx – Adolescent Years  Marx attended University of Berlin. During his time there, he became a part of a group called the Young Hegelians.  This group was centered around the philosophy of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich von Hegel.  Hegel believed that historical change was the basis of an intellectual system.  Marx combined Hegel’s ideas with Ludwig Feurerbach, who critiqued Hegel.  He argued that physical and human factors attributed to events in the world.  By combining these two theories, Marx created his own theory: DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM.  This is the process in which human history progresses.

Marxism Scientific Socialism

What is Marxism?  Marxism is the series of political and economic theories coined by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.  Human actions and institutions are economically determined.  Class struggle is needed to create historical change.  Capitalism will ultimately be superseded by communism.  There are four major propositions in Marxism.

Key Propositions 1. The economic interpretation of history 1. Human history is determined by economic factors, specifically who controls production and distribution. 2. The class struggle 1. There has always been a struggle between the rich and the poor. 3. Theory of Surplus Value 1. The value of a product was based off of labor; however the laborer only received a small fraction of his labor price. 2. The difference between the cost of the product and the pay of the laborer was called surplus value. 3. This surplus value was stolen from the laborer by capitalists. 4. Socialism was unavoidable 1. Capitalism brought itself down by the means of such things as unemployment. 2. The rich will grow richer and the poor will grow poorer, until the chasm between these two classes divides the society entirely. 3. This causes the lower class to revolt and overthrow the government, hence creating a classless, socialist society.

Publications The Communist Manifesto

The Creation of Communism: “The Communist Manifesto”  Marx collaborated with Friedrich Engels to write this document in 1847, and published it a year later.  This document formed the basis for modern Communism.  The Manifesto ultimately sparked revolutions throughout the world, specifically Russia and China.  “It is high time that Communists should openly, in the face of the whole world, publish their views, their aims, their tendencies, and meet this nursery tale of the Spectre of Communism with a Manifesto of the party itself.”  This call to arms influenced people everywhere to join the Communist party and give voice to their ideas.

The Communist Manifesto  “The bourgeoisie, wherever it has got the upper hand, has put an end to all feudal, patriarchal, idyllic relations. It has pitilessly torn asunder the motley feudal ties that bound man to his "natural superiors," and has left remaining no other nexus between man and man than naked self-interest, than callous "cash payment." It has drowned the most heavenly ecstasies of religious fervor, of chivalrous enthusiasm, of philistine sentimentalism, in the icy water of egotistical calculation. It has resolved personal worth into exchange value. And in place of the numberless and feasible chartered freedoms, has set up that single, unconscionable freedom—Free Trade. In one word, for exploitation, veiled by religious and political illusions, naked, shameless, direct, brutal exploitation. ”  This excerpt shows Marx’s belief, which echoes that of socialism. This expresses the view that Free Trade, furthermore, the entire laissez faire economic system, is unfair and cruel, tearing society apart. “The bourgeoisie has torn away from the family its sentimental veil, and has reduced the family relation to a mere money relation.”

The Communist Manifesto  “In the national struggles of the proletarians of the different countries, they point out and bring to the front the common interests of entire proletariat, independently of nationality.”  This excerpt clearly depicts the main ideas of socialism: the idea that the happiness of the majority is key.  Furthermore, it explains the Communistic aspect: it is necessary for all to be one, no matter what, so everyone is equal.

The Communist Manifesto  “The immediate aim of the Communist is the same as that of all the other proletarian parties: formation of the proletariat into a class, overthrow of the bourgeois supremacy, conquest of political power by the proletariat.”  Communism, a branch of Socialism, shares similar beliefs. One of which is the importance of the happiness of the majority. This passage expresses the need for the power to be held by the majority, resulting in greater satisfaction.

The Communist Manifesto  “Working Men of All Countries Unite!”

Connection to Socialism The Big Picture

Marx’s Role  Karl Marx created some of the most influential Socialist theories in partnership with Friedrich Engels.  He advocated a society that would eliminate Capitalism, creating a surplus value.  This would allow the equal distribution of power and the surplus value based upon the work effort, creating a fair environment for all people.  From Marx’s theories, many other Socialists drew their own. Marx inspired Socialists across the board and produced ideas that left a lasting impression on society and history.

"The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it." - Karl Marx, Theses on Feuerbach (1845)

Bibliography  "Karl Marx." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, Web. 2 Apr  "Karl Marx: quote on philosophers." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, Web. 2 Apr  "Communist Manifesto (1848)." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, Web. 2 Apr  "Friedrich Engels: speech at Karl Marx' graveside (1883)." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, Web. 2 Apr  "Karl Marx: Communism's Champion." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, Web. 4 Apr  "Georg Wilhelm Friedrich von Hegel." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, Web. 6 Apr    