Karl Marx and Communism

What was the Communist League?

- A tiny group of tiny group of primarily German socialists revolutionaries. - Enthusiastic promoter of the radical working class

What is the bourgeoisie?

- Bosses of the workers - Bankers, doctors, investors, etc.

What would the role of the state be in terms of economics and control of the means of production?

- Centralization of credit in hands of the state - Factories owned by the state - Communication and transport in charge of the state

Why is a "class analysis of history" critical to Marxism?

- Class analysis says natural laws could control nature and work together throughout history. - Discovered natural laws of history and put forth communist ideas. - It would have eventually happened

In what ways was communism a philosophic heir of the Enlightenment?

- Communism wanted people to be equal in a state. No one should rule others or have more than others

How would a communist state differ in terms of rural and urban life?

- Communist state differs on terms of rural and urban life by the course of combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries - Gradual abolition of the distinctions between town and country, by a more equable distribution of the popultion

Why would "Political power" disappear in a communist state?

- Disappears in a communist state b/c no one should have more power over someone else - Class distinctions have disappeared - All production focuses on the nation - Public power loses its political character - Political Power is the organized power of one class for harassing another class

How would the right of private property be effected after a communist revolution?

- Effected by abolishing private property in the land - Heavy progressive or graduated income tax on land

What is The Communist Manifesto?

- Explains the goals of Communism - Argues the class struggles of one exploiting of class by another - Motivates force behind all historical development - States ideas of a revolutionary socialism - Creation of a classless society - End product of the struggle of the bourgeoisie and the proletariat

Who was Karl Marx?

- German Jewish man - Ph.D in philosophy (U of Bonn) - Editor of a liberal bourgeois newspaper - Atheist - Strongly supported communism - Wrote the Common Manifesto - States ideas of a revolutionary socialism

Who was Friedich Engles?

- German man - Wrote "The conditions of the working class in England" - Supported Marx ideas with his knowledge of actual working conditions - Wrote the Common Manifesto - States ideas of a revolutionary socialism

Why is a "materialist analysis of history" critical Marxism?

- Materialistic analysis believed that the emergence of a classless society would lead to progress in science, technology, and Industry.

What influences did the Revolution have on the rise of communism?

- The common manifesto - Fredrich Engles - Projected the creation of class society - End product of the struggle between the bourgeoisie and proletariat. - Some say it caused the revolution

What is the "first step in the revolution?"

- The first step is for the workers to rise above the proletariat to the position of the ruling class

What is the Proletariat? Why is it important?

- The working class - Necessary force for the communist revolution - Rose against and destroyed the bourgeoisie

What will be the final result of communist revolution?

- Took over the bourgeoisie. Everyone is now equal.