| Karl Marx was a German philosopher who
spent the last years of his life in London. He wrote the
Communist Manifesto setting out how workers should seize
power by revolution. He also wrote Das Kapital which explained
his view of history. His ideas influenced the thinking of
the Socialists in Russia and other European countries. Marx’s
ideas became known as Marxism. |
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Marx’s view of history.
Marx saw the whole of history as a struggle between the two classes
of people: the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’.
The ‘haves’ owned the most important resources (eg
land), used to produced food and goods. They formed the RULING
CLASS and exploited the ‘have nots’ by making them
work hard for little reward.
He believed that the struggle between these two groups would only
end when the ‘have-nots’ defeated the ‘haves’.
After this, people would co-operate and work for the good of each
other and there would be no need for governments. He called this
co-operation COMMUNISM.
Marx divided up history into a number of stages. During these
stages, Marx said that different classes struggled for power to
be the ruling class. At the end of each stage a new ruling class
took over.
The first stage was FEUDALISM when
the economy was based mainly on AGRICULTURE
and power was in the hands of the LANDED
CLASSES or aristocracy.
During this phase the MIDDLE CLASS
or bourgeoisie gradually grew richer and gained in power as industry
started and trade began to grow.
When they had gained sufficient power they took over political
control.
During the next phase - called CAPITALISM
- where the economy was based more and more on INDUSTRY
(and capital) the WORKING CLASS or
proletariat was oppressed and grew increasingly resentful until
they were driven to the point of revolution.
THE CAPITALISTS.
The people who owned the means of production in an industrial
society eg the factories, the machines the banks etc. Marx also
called them the BOURGEOISIE or middle
classes.
V
THE PROLETARIAT.
The people who worked in factories mines etc. They are called
the working classes.
This last struggle was different because no new ruling class would
take over. The have-nots would finally triumph and SOCIALISM
would be established. |
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