Communism

Also known as Socialism or Marxism

Founding Fathers

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

• 19th century German philosophers

Basic Ideas of Communism

• Individual ownership of property ends.

• All property is owned communally by all of the people.

• Government controls the whole economy.

• Economic decisions are made to benefit the people as a whole.

• Everyone is expected to contribute to the economy based upon his ability and to receive goods and services based upon his needs.

• A classless society in which everyone is equal is created.

• Religion, “the opiate of the masses,” is abandoned.

• Communism is spread around the world creating a stateless society.

Communist Terms

• Proletariat- working class

• Bourgeoisie- merchant class

• Means of Production- factories

• Classless Society- everyone is equal

• Dictatorship of the Masses- strong communist government

Using the Terms

The ___________ will rise up and seize

the __________ from the __________

and then create a __________ to help

build a new ___________.

The proletariat will rise up and seize the

means of production from the

bourgeoisie and then create a

dictatorship of the masses to help build

a new classless society.