Karl Marx was a famous German philosopher and economist born in 1818 who is known as the father of communism. Some of Marx's most influential ideas included historical materialism, alienation, mode of production, class consciousness, and class struggle. Marx believed that changes in society and history are directly related to changes in modes of production and technology. He saw capitalism as exploiting workers and creating conflict between social classes that would ultimately lead to revolution. Marx's ideas have had a significant impact on societies and political ideologies around the world.