Explain the main features of Marx’ theory of history.

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Explain the main features of Marx' theory of history

The opening words of the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and

Friedrich Engels read `the history of all hitherto existing society is

the history of class struggles'. Marx believed he had discovered the

fact that classes were linked to historical periods and the nature if

production. He believed that a series of class struggles and

revolutions would eventually lead to a classless society. According

to A. Heywood, Marx' philosophy on history `outlines why capitalism is

doomed and why socialism is destined to replace it'.

Marx' theory of history goes further than this however, as Marx said;

`the philosophers have only interpreted the world, the point however

is to change it'. He therefore believed his work to be `scientific'.

Engels declared that he had uncovered the `laws' of historical and

social development in his theory of `historical materialism'.

Historical materialism held that material circumstances were

fundamental to all forms of social and historical development. It

reflected the belief that the