Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The Communist Manifesto is a political pamphlet written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848. It outlines their theories on class struggle, capitalism's flaws, and the need for a proletarian revolution to establish a communist society.
Related terms
Marxism: A socio-economic theory developed by Karl Marx that focuses on class struggle and the eventual establishment of communism.
Bourgeoisie: The capitalist class who own the means of production in society.
Proletariat: The working class who sell their labor power to survive under capitalism.