This document outlines Karl Marx's theory of historical materialism, which proposes that history progresses through a dialectical process of contradicting forces. According to Marx, feudalism gave way to capitalism as merchants and traders rose up against the old feudal order. Capitalism in turn creates its own opposing force in the workers and proletariat that will lead inevitably to socialism and eventually communism through this ongoing dialectical process.

1. Historical (Dialectical) Materialism Thesis 1 Antithesis 1 Synthesis 1 (Thesis 2) Antithesis 2 Synthesis 2 (Thesis 3) Antithesis 2 Synthesis 3 Process repeats until the ultimate synthesis is reached, called the Absolute Idea Absolute Idea

2. Karl Marx and Communism Karl Marx, the father of Communism replaced the concept of opposing ideas with the concept of opposing economic forces. Marx felt that Communism was the inevitable, natural result of these opposing forces. Feudalism Rise of merchants and traders Capitalism Workers and Proletariat Socialism/ Communism