Communism - is a political, social, and economic ideology that advocates the replacement of private ownership and profit-based economies with a classless economic system under which the means of production, such as buildings, machinery, tools, and labor, are communally owned, with private ownership of property either prohibited or severely limited by the state. Marx believed that history could be explained through class struggle Marx was convinced that history would pass through certain phases (I.E. Feudalism, Capitalism, Socialism) until finally a Communist society would emerge. The idea of communism as a philosophy of government or society is predominantly based on the ideas of Karl Marx. It shares its ideals with Marxism or socialism. Given below are a few characteristics of the ideology:-

1. Karl Marx: “The Father of
Communism”

2. What is The Communist Manifesto?
 The Communist
Manifesto was Marx
and Engels’ greatest
work
 Published in 1848
 Not widely read in
Europe until after
Marx’s death in 1883
 Marxist “Bible”

3. Communism
- is a political, social, and economic ideology that
advocates the replacement of private ownership
and profit-based economies with a classless
economic system under which the means of
production, such as buildings, machinery, tools,
and labor, are communally owned, with private
ownership of property either prohibited or
severely limited by the state

4. Who are the major players in
Communism?
 Two (2) groups:
1. Proletariat =
Working class /
lower classes of
society
2. Bourgeoisie =
Upper classes / the
ones who gain
wealth off the
proletariat

5. What Needs To Take Place
First?
 Marx believed that history could be
explained through class struggle
 Marx was convinced that history would
pass through certain phases (I.E.
Feudalism, Capitalism, Socialism) until
finally a Communist society would emerge.

6. Communism
 After the proletariat has successfully overthrown
the bourgeoisie:
1. Communism would gradually emerge.
2. The need for government would no
longer exist.
3. There would no longer be separate
classes in society.
 Everyone would work according to their abilities
and…
 Everyone receives according to their needs.

7. Characteristics
The idea of communism as a philosophy of
government or society is predominantly based on
the ideas of Karl Marx. It shares its ideals with
Marxism or socialism. Given below are a few
characteristics of the ideology:-

8. Classless society
A classless society is where there are no
differences between the rich and the poor. Society
is otherwise divided into the bourgeoisie and the
proletariat, who are the owner class and the
worker class, respectively.
Common ownership of all resources
For society to be classless, people need to abolish
the existing system of control and division.
Common ownership is the best way to achieve
this goal. Therefore, the community as a whole
produces, and the community as a whole enjoys
its benefits.

9. Private property
When private people enter production, they tend to focus more on
profit. As their earning capacity increases, their quality of life changes,
resulting in dramatic lifestyle changes. Obviously, this will be different
for those who do not have money. Therefore, abolishing private
property is an essential characteristic of communist ideology.
Social equality
The basis of the communist ideology is the achievement of social
equality. In other words, an egalitarian society in which there are no
differences or discrimination between the rich and the poor.

10. Against democracy
Democracy involves the liberty to enter private organizations or
players into the market, among other things. Communist ideology
does not accept privatization as it is a deterrent in the path of a
classless society. Communism in China is an example where they
oppose the idea of democracy.

11. History of Class Struggle
Utopian Society
Feudalism Capitalism
Bourgeiosie/Proletariat Emerge
Socialism
Dictatorship of the Proletariat
Communism

12. Marx’s Theory?
 Marx and Engels studied the history of the world’s economies and the
way that power, industry and finance are controlled.
 They saw the way countries developed in stages over world history
Primitive
Communism
Feudalism
Capitalism
Socialism
Communism
(Marxism)

13. What is Primitive Communism?
Primitive
Communism
 This is how humans first lived together – in small
tribes.
 Everything was shared amongst the tribe – food,
jobs, belongings. No-one owned land.
 Eventually a group comes to power – this leads to
Feudalism…

14. What is Feudalism?
Primitive
Communism
Feudalism
•Under feudalism,
a king or emperor
or chief becomes
the ruler over all
the people.
•He gives land
and privileges
to ‘nobles’ who
rule the
people for
him.
•The people
are kept
uneducated
and told
that God
chose the
king to rule.
The church
helps the
king this
way.
•As trade develops,
some people get
richer. This leads
to Capitalism…..

15. What is Capitalism?
Feudalism
Capitalism
•The business
owners or
capitalists get
richer while
the workers do
all the hard
work.
•The
capitalists
get more
power to
serve
their own
interests.
•Capitalism creates a huge working-
class of people who soon get angry at
the way they are treated.
•Eventually they begin to demand
changes. This will lead to a revolution
and Socialism…

16. What is Socialism?
Socialism
Capitalism
•In the Socialist
revolution all the rulers
– kings, churches,
capitalists are got rid
of.
•The workers
take control of
the country to
produce things
for everyone.
•Because nothing is
made for profit, all
people benefit from
education and
health.
•These ideas
spread across
the world to
create
Communism….

17. What is Communism (Marxism)?
Socialism
Communism
(Marxism)
•As everyone now works
together, war is a thing of the
past – armies are not needed.
•Sharing means no police are
needed.
•Everything is provided by the
people – so money becomes a
thing of the past.
•All human activity
goes towards
benefiting each
other – allowing all
to live their lives
to the full.

18. How did Marx / Engels’ work
influence European society?
 Marx / Engels’ work is
going to influence a new
generation of
revolutionaries
 Tired of corruption
 Desiring a new society
 Marx / Engels’ works are
feared by many European
leaders
 Arrest, imprison, or exile
many Communist leaders