By: Anthony Botticella, Giancarlo Caprara Karl Marx By: Anthony Botticella, Giancarlo Caprara

Introduction Life Political Views Religious Views Communist Manifesto How his ideas affect us today Marxism

Early Life Born on 5 May 1818 Born in Trier, Kingdom of Prussia’s province of the Lower Rhine Heinrich Marx and Henrietta Pressburg Ancestrally Jewish, but father converted to Lutheranism Father was an attorney and mother part of business family Marx was part of a relatively wealthy family Died 14 March 1883 Young Karl Marx

Education University of Bonn in Germany Wished to study philosophy and literature Father insisted on studying law Father transferred him to the University of Berlin Joined a Doctor’s Club Student group that discussed Hegelian ideas

Political Views Often referred to as the “Father of Communism” Revolutionary Socialist Capitalism is the exploitation of workers Believed that Capitalism would fail on its own Leading to the Proletariats revolution against the Bourgeoisie After Capitalism is overthrown, socialism is the next step before communism After the revolution comes a government, society and economy ruled completely by the workers

Political Views Continued Economic Utopia All labour exchanged for equal value No-one and everyone would own all property Heavily progressive income tax Resulting in universal healthcare and education Many things to be in the hands of the state Transportation, credit, national bank and an exclusive monopoly Very left wing thinker

Karl Marx and wife Jenny von Westphalen Life on the Run Became editor of a small, middle-class, liberal newspaper Authorities first censored, but eventually shut down the newspaper Views became more radical and revolutionary Had to flee Germany First to Paris then to Brussels Troubles followed him until he moved to London, 1849 Marx and his family lived in London in relative poverty Karl Marx and wife Jenny von Westphalen

Religious Views Ancestrally Jewish, but father converted to Lutheranism Although being baptized, Marx rejected all religion Became and atheist and insisted on religion being forgotten “Religion is the opium of the people” Gives working classes false hope for millennia Understood the appeal of religion

Friedrich Engels Founded Marxist theory with Karl Marx First met Marx November 1842 While in slums in Manchester, he witnessed many horrors Sent many articles to Marx about the matter The most important/dedicated facilitator to Marx’s works Filled gaps in Marx’s system Friedrich Engels

The Communist Manifesto 1848 political book created by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels Commissioned by the “Communist League”, published in London Regarded as one of the most influential political manuscripts Analyzed class struggle, the problems of capitalism, communism’s potential in the future Summarized Marx’s and Engels’ theories about the nature of society and politics The Communist Manifesto

Marxism Literary theory based on social classes Marx believed history can only be studied through class struggle Transition from Capitalism to Socialism is inevitable Once socialism is established, ideal communism end product Labour theory of value

Marxist Communism Violent overthrow of capitalism would lead to international socialism Once fully evolved, transformation to ideal state of communism Worker-governed society, no dictator All citizens and jobs are equal, no social classes Common ownership of the means of production Wealth to be shared amoung the society Would inspire significant people

Impact on Today’s World Socialism evident in many nations, but mostly Europe Very good economies to live in (Sweden, Denmark, Norway etc.) Some socialist principles is North America, mostly Canada Communism was attempted, but failed October Revolution in Russia, 1917 Marxism is largely studied in today’s education Not very popular in America, very misunderstood

Video Clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16IMc5mhbZk

Conclusion Father of Communism Revolutionary Socialist Wrote The Communist Manifesto with Friedrich Engels Rejected religion, but also found the appeal Co-founder to Marxism alongside Friedrich Engels One of the most influential economist to exist Ideas and policies have a major impact in today’s world