Communism Karl Marx Soviet Flag Stalin Vladimir Lenin

Karl Marx Marx was a philosopher born in Germany. His book, The Communist Manifesto, helped create the Communist economic system.

What life was like during Marx’s life. The majority of the land and wealth was held in the hands of a few people. The majority of people lived in unsanitary conditions, with little clean water and food. They worked long hours for little pay.

The Struggle between Economic Classes Marx believed that Capitalism had created economic classes, or divisions in society based on wealth. Marx identifies 2 main economic classes. The workers (proletariat) and the owners (bourgeoisie).

The Workers Workers includes anyone who earns their livelihood by selling their services and being paid a wage or salary for their labor time. They typically have no independent way to survive.

The Bourgeoisie (Owners) The Bourgeoisie includes anyone who gets their income from the work of others.

What’s the Problem? Marx believed the income of the owners, is based on the abuse of the workers (proletariat). The owners would pay the workers low wages. The workers would have to work in bad conditions. The workers would work long hours.

Marx’s solution He believed there should not be economic classes. He believed everybody should own everything. He believed that there should not be separate countries. He believed that any decisions made should be made for the good of society (the people as a whole).

Marx’s Solution 2 Marx believed that the workers must overthrow the capitalists and create a communist system.

Communism in Action. During WWI the Russian people revolted against their king (Tsar Nicholas II). The revolt was led by Lenin, a follower of Marx.

Communism in Action 2. Lenin was the leader of Russia until his death until 1924. When he died Stalin took over. Stalin was a brutal dictator who killed an estimated 700,000 people and imprisoned many others. Many others were sent to work camps.

Stalin and the Disappeared If Stalin had you killed he would have you cut out of all of the pictures in which you appeared with him!

Communism in other Countries China, Vietnam, Cuba, and North Korea are a few of the countries that adopted the communist economic system. Cuban Flag Chinese Flag Vietnamese Flag North Korean Flag

Communism in Practice Communism was tried in many countries. In most countries where it was attempted there was a dictator, or a person who has almost complete power. Dictators usually use violence and fear to stay in power. Communism is often remembered negatively because of the fear and violence.