Biography of Karl Marx: Western Civilization II, Mohawk College

This report provides a biography of Karl Marx, focusing on his life, intellectual development, and lasting impact on the world. The assignment, written for a Western Civilization II course at Mohawk College, explores Marx's early life, education, and involvement with the Young Hegelians. It highlights his significant contributions to sociology, economic history, and political thought, including his theory of class struggle and the development of capitalism as presented in the Communist Manifesto. The report emphasizes Marx's influence on 19th-century society and his predictions about the future, which remain relevant today. The paper adheres to APA format with a minimum of five references and in-text citations, demonstrating a clear understanding of the historical context and the importance of Marx's ideas. The assignment showcases the socio-economic conditions of the 19th century and the impact of industrialization on the working class, providing a comprehensive analysis of Marx's life and work.

Running head: KARL MARX
KARL MARX
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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KARL MARX
On 14th March, one of the greatest thinkers of the world ceased to think whose ideas
have changed the perception of looking at the world the way it was seen. His ideas on sociology
and economic history changed the world. In this paper, the main aim is to discuss the way Karl
Marx, who was expelled from Germany and France became someone who changed the world by
contributing his ideas.
Born in Prussia on 5th March 1818, Marx was one of the nine children born to Heinrich.
His father was a successful lawyer and a passionate activist for Prussian reform who revered to
Voltaire and Kant (Faccarello & Kurz, 2016). In his university that had a rebellious culture,
Marx would take an active part. He was introduced to Hegel in during his studies in the
University of Berlin and became largely involved with the young Hegelians taking part in social
reforms that were increasing during the 19th century. Then onwards he began becoming
politically zealous criticising the political and religious establishments when revolutionary
uprisings were engulfing Europe in the year 1848.
According to Nicolaievsky & Maenchen-Helfen, (2015), Karl Marx not only interpreted
the world but changed it with his greatest ideas and thinking. His theoretical works are the
foundation of the social change that represents the scientific perception of the class struggle
which is the major driving force of history. The doctrine of class struggle is the theory central to
Marxian thought that consists of milestones in the field of sociology, philosophy, political and
economic studies. According to Marx, 'the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of
class struggle', it is the first line of his greatest work Communist manifesto 1848. The most
widely read political document provides tools for analysing capitalism and capitalist crisis. His
ideas in the manifesto help in understanding the development of mankind and the rules of its

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development. It gives the idea of the way capitalism was beginning to shape the world and its
features along with the impact of it on common people. The conditions of workers in the 19th
century after industrialization were severe. The 19th century economic condition was arbitrary
where on rich could become rich and poor would remain poor specially the working class. It was
the main reason for writing the manifesto where he put forward the conditions of the labour class
people. The socio-economic system of the period was going through change. The 19th century
was the time period that witnessed significant social and economic changes. Individuals make
their own history however the factors that determine the motive of people including the sum total
of all these clashes that occur in the human societies are given the pattern by Marx. The objective
situations of production of material life which create the basis of all men’s historical activity
along with the law of development of the following conditions was the materials that were
obtained from Marx’s theory.
According to Holmes (2015), the significance of his work created centuries ago is
relevant even today. His work helped understanding the pattern of society that was dominating
during that period. Through his years of living, he highlighted the aspects of political economy
of 19th century considering the rise of capitalism.
Although there are critics who opposed to Marxist’s perception, however, they do not
deny the importance of his theory during the 19th century that have impact even today. A stir
occurred to the 19th century monotonous thinking pattern of the philosophers, economic scientists
and social thinkers. It gave rise to many more theories contrasting and contradicting with his
perception during that time. There is no denying that with his exception theories and ideas he
predicted a future in 19th century that is now lived by people. It is not surprising that even after

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125 years after the death of the political activist, his theories on society, politics and economic
ring true today.

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References:
Faccarello, G., Gehrke, C., & Kurz, H. D. (2016). Karl Heinrich Marx (1818–1883). Handbook
on the History of Economic Analysis, 2, 211-233.
Holmes, R. (2015). Eleanor Marx: a life. Bloomsbury Publishing USA.
Nicolaievsky, B., & Maenchen-Helfen, O. (2015). Karl Marx: Man and Fighter (RLE Marxism).
Routledge.