Communism in its infancyĭuring one of these periods, they helped set up the new Communist League in London in 1847 as two of its most influential members. Both born into middle-class families in the conservative German nation of Prussia, they held radical views early in life and were often forced into exile for fear of recrimination. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels were two such dissatisfied intellectuals. But today, it is arguably stronger than ever.

Millions suffered at the hands of the KGB. After the French Revolution the educated classes would not pretend that nothing had changed. Terrified of a repeat of the seismic events at the start of the century, Europe’s rulers had been highly reactionary for decades, and by the time of the “hungry” 1840s discontent was growing amongst liberal intellectuals like Marx and Engels. In 1848 almost all of Europe was still ruled by an Emperor or a King, backed by both the aristocracy and the emerging class of wealthy businessmen and entrepreneurs, which Marx would dub the Bourgeoisie.Ĭhange had been briefly promised under Napoleon’s earlier rule, which had exported the values of the epoch-defining French Revolution, but at the time of the writing of the book even France was back under the rule of the hated Bourbons, as if the revolution had never happened. Like any work of literature, the Manifesto was a product of the world in which it was written. The stage was set for the manifesto to introduce the revolutionary doctrine of Communism, which had the potential to create and destroy nations, and shape the trajectory of societies. Marx and Engels put forth radical ideas, advocating for the abolition of private property, the overthrow of the capitalist system, and the establishment of a classless society. Published during a time of great social and political unrest in Europe, it reflected the growing dissatisfaction among the working class with oppressive socio-economic conditions.

On 21 February 1848, this influential manifesto was published, coinciding with a critical period in Europe when left-wing revolutions were on the brink of eruption. The Communist Manifesto, authored by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, members of the London-based Communist League, is a historic document that altered the course of history.

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