Communist Manifesto

From this excerpt of the Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels express the constant class struggles in history between the oppressor and the oppressed. Since Ancient Rome and the Middle Ages there was a hierarchy with different class rankings. In modern times, however, there, now, exist only two major classes in society; the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat.

Many different factors attributed to the rise of the Bourgeoisie. As Modern Industry, took the place of manufacturing, classes were reestablished. For example, the Bourgeoisie took the place of industrial leaders. The development of Modern Industry then further gave development to the Bourgeoisie, through increased commerce and capital. Since the Bourgeoisie is dependent on industry, it is therefore unstable. There must be constant revolution of production in order for the Bourgeoisie to exist in society. Which in turn, a revolution must occur every so often in order for the Bourgeoisie to stay in power.

As the Bourgeoisie society was rising, so was the opposing working middle class', the Proletariat's, animosity towards them. What the Bourgeoisie used to build them up in power, is, ironically, what the working class utilized to bring them down in return. Marx and Engels define the working classes only role in society as to work; however, their downfall is that their only role in society is to work. There is no distinction of age and/or sex for the Proletariats. The only difference between men and women is the wages both sexes were paid for that job. The Proletariats are looked down upon as the inferior class to a point where Marx and Engels claim that they are enslaved to the Bourgeoisie, the machine, the hourly wages and the Bourgeoisie owner himself.