What Is Communism?

3. Who Were Marx and Engels?

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels developed what has come to be known as modern communism. Marx, a German philosopher and economist, and his assistant Engels believed that the conflict between the classes caused the root of the society's problems. By eliminating the classes (rich and poor), these thinkers believed that it was unfair and unjust for a few to reap the profits while the many did the hard work and labor, which is, of course, the hallmark of a capitalist society. They believed that social revolution could bring about the changes needed to switch from an unfair capitalist way of life to a communist way of life where everyone, all workers, could share in the wealth of their nation. They published their thoughts in The Communist Manifest.

LWilk / Getty Images