Global IV
Handout #06
March 5, 2012
MCMILLAN
MARXISM
“The theory of Communism may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of
private property.”
–Karl Marx
In the 1840s, Karl Marx wrote a book called The Communist Manifesto where he explained his
theory of scientific socialism or communism. This philosophy proved to be one of the most
influential political philosophies of the 20th century. Some of the main aspects of this philosophy
are explained below:
CLASS STRUGGLE
According to Marx, all history can be explained through the lens of class struggle. He
felt there was an inevitable evolution of class struggle that would end with Communism.
Below is the progression of class struggle:
Slavery
slave vs owner

Feudalism
peasant vs land owner

Capitalism
proletariat vs bourgeoisie
worker vs owner
!!Communism!!
(Final stage)
No more struggle because no more classes
This is a scientific fact according to Marx
WHY A STRUGGLE?
PROLETARIAT (WORKER)-----> WANTS MORE MONEY
VS
BOURGEOISIE (OWNER)-------> WANTS MORE MONEY
RESULT:
REVOLUTION OF PROLETARIAT OVER BOURGEOISIE
HOW IS A COMMUNIST REVOLUTION
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Global IV
Handout #06
March 5, 2012
MCMILLAN
ACHIEVED?
Four steps from capitalism to communism
1. PROLETARIAT UNITE AND OVERTHROW THE BOURGEOISIE
-Marx believes this is inevitable
2. DICTATORSHIP OF THE PROLETARIAT
-Necessary to complete the victory over the bourgeoisie
3. REVOLUTION SPREADS AROUND THE WORLD
-Again, Marx felt this was inevitable. Once the proletariat started a revolution, they
would unite against the bourgeoisie in all countries
4. GOVERNMENT WITHERS AWAY
-Once the bourgeoisie has disappeared, there will be no need for a government
HOW IS THE REVOLUTION JUSTIFIED?
Why does the proletariat have the right to overthrow the bourgeoisie?
All value comes from labor put into a product
Labor is performed by workers, not owners
Owners who don’t work take profit that should belong to workers
Factories really belong to the workers because they are the ones who
put value into products
This means the proletariat should be able to take over factories
WHAT ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY?
Same as workers taking over factories
Bourgeoisie have huge majority of private property
Acquired using proletariat profits
Proletariat should be able to take all private property
WHAT SHOULD A COMMUNIST SOCIETY
LOOK LIKE?
No private property
No classes
No inheritance
Centralized banks
Factories extension of state
Free education and health system
“FROM EACH ACCORDING TO HIS ABILITY, TO EACH ACCORDING
TO HIS NEEDS.” - Karl Marx
NAME: ________________________
PERIOD: ____
WHAT IS MARXISM?
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Global IV
Handout #06
March 5, 2012
MCMILLAN
Review the cartoon above. According to Karl Marx, history has been nothing but
a struggle between the “haves” and the “have-nots”. Using this knowledge,
explain what the artist is trying to tell you. What is this cartoon saying?
__________________________________________________________
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THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION
Use page 248 of the Brief Review for Global History and Geography to answer the following questions.
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Global IV
Handout #06
March 5, 2012
MCMILLAN
1. Explain what a “soviet” is. Who took over these soviets?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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2. Who was Vladimir Lenin?
_____________________________________________________________
3. Who were the Bolsheviks? Which two people led them?
_____________________________________________________________
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4. Lenin gained the support of the people by promising the Russian people
several things. What was Lenin’s slogan? What three things did he promise
the Russian people?
_____________________________________________________________
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5. What happened in November, 1917?
_____________________________________________________________
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6. Who were the communists? What did they do for Russian workers and
peasants?
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