The Events Leading Up to the Russian Revolution

Communism – an economic system characterized by the absence of social classes and common ownership of the means of production – Everyone receives according to his or her needs Review

Socialism – favors equality and public ownership of major economic institutions – Cooperation is the best way for people to coexist

Resources are owned by the people Everyone works for the good of everyone else The government decides how wealth should be distributed to everyone

Capitalism – private ownership of businesses, open competition, and production for profit – Competition brings out the best in people – Everyone works for his own wealth

The government is not allowed to interfere with the individual’s dealings except to see that laws are being followed

Proletariat – working class in Industrialized Europe – The “have-nots” Class System

During the Industrial Revolution, the working class wanted to share the wealth the factory owners were enjoying

The Origins of Marx’s Ideas Georg Hegel: dialectics – Thesis  a problem is intentionally created – Antithesis  opposition to the problem is created – Synthesis  the desired result is brought in as a solution Change (Synthesis) Opposing force (Thesis) Opposing force (Antithesis)

The Origins of Marx’s Ideas John Locke: no man has the right to more than another man Marx lived in Europe during the industrial revolution – Witnesses the horrible living and working conditions of the working class

History advances through conflict, and economics is a major force for change

Class Struggle 1.Once people were able to produce more than what they needed, exploitation began 2. From this point on, class struggle occurred 3. Capitalism is only a temporary phase in which the productive people, the proletariat, are exploited by the bourgeois

Class Struggle 4. Eventually, the bourgeois and proletariat will clash; the proletariat will seize control and abolish classes and private ownership of property 5. Finally, the state will wither away, no government will be needed and communism will exist

Vladimir Lenin, a leader of the Russian Revolution, followed the teachings of Karl Marx.