"The Communist revolution is the most radical rupture with traditional property relations; no wonder that its development involves the most radical rupture with traditional ideas" (Marx, 29). The Communist Manifesto, written in 1848 by Karl Marx and Frederick Engles, is certainly one of the most revolutionary and widely read documents in the world. Within the document, Marx (who is primarily credited for the manifesto) provides a thorough critique of the conflict of European's social classes and advocates socialism. The Communist Manifesto was created in response to a need to publish the Communist league's views and abolish rumors spread by ruling opposition parties. The following essay will summarize Marx's critique of the ruling capitalist system, the key points of the communist movement he advocates, and the effects the document had on the international community after its publication. .
The Communist Manifesto gives insight into Europe's hierarchal social structure of the 19th centuary. After the French Revolution, feudalism was overthrown and replaced by free trade, which birthed a new class known as the bourgeoisie. The bourgeoisie are millionaires who profit from a technological wave, beginning with the Industrial Revolution, at the expense of laborers, known as proletariats. They use technological developments, religion, and politics to insure their control and status. "The executive of the modern state is but a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie" (Marx, 11). In exchange for a constantly expanding global market, they exploit people all over the world. Since the world is compelled to catch up or are threatened with extinction, bourgeoisies are produced internationally. Marx explains that the proletariats are expendable commodities to the bourgeoisies, and that they are slaves in bondage to the factory machines, their over looker, and the bourgeoisie manufacturer.