Manifesto of the Communist Party

Authors & Publication Details

• Written by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels in late 1847
• First published in February 1848
• Source: Marx/Engels Selected Works, 1969 edition
• Translated by Samuel Moore with Frederick Engels, 1888

Prefaces & Editions

• Multiple prefaces: 1872 German, 1882 Russian, 1883 German, 1888 English, 1890 German, 1892 Polish, 1893 Italian
• Prefaces discuss translation efforts, contextual editions, and updates related to the evolving political landscape

Table of Contents

1. Editorial Introduction
2. Bourgeois and Proletarians
3. Proletarians and Communists
4. Socialist and Communist Literature
   • Reactionary Socialism
   • Conservative or Bourgeois Socialism
   • Critical-Utopian Socialism and Communism
5. Position of the Communists in Relation to the Various Existing Opposition Parties
6. Letter from Engels to Marx
7. Draft of a Communist Confession of Faith
8. The Principles of Communism
9. Demands of the Communist Party in Germany
10. The Paris Commune

Key Concepts

• Bourgeois and Proletarians: The history of society is a history of class struggles. The bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proletariat (working class) are the main classes.
• Proletarians and Communists: Communists do not form a separate party but are the most advanced and resolute section of the working-class parties.
• Abolition of Property: Communists aim to abolish bourgeois property, not all property. They intend to transform property into communal possession.
• Class Struggle: The proletariat is the only revolutionary class. All previous social movements were for the minority.

Socialist and Communist Literature

1. Reactionary Socialism
   • Feudal Socialism: Aristocratic critique of bourgeois society.
   • Petty-Bourgeois Socialism: Critiques modern production's contradictions.
2. Conservative or Bourgeois Socialism: Advocates for reforms within the existing society to preserve it.
3. Critical-Utopian Socialism and Communism: Early socialist thinkers lacked understanding of social movements.

The Paris Commune

• A working-class government formed in Paris in 1871.
• Aimed to dismantle the central state machinery and replace it with a government of the people.
• Represented a radical step towards social and economic reforms.

Demands of the Communist Party in Germany

• Includes universal suffrage, armament of the people, free education, abolition of feudal obligations.
• Focus on unifying Germany under a republican state structure.

Key Historical Context

• The Manifesto addresses the conditions of workers, proposing a society with equal opportunity and resources distributed based on needs.
• Envisions a society where state power is abolished in favor of communal self-governance.
• Advocates for international solidarity among workers.

Further Readings and Developments

• Draft of a Communist Confession of Faith: Early draft highlighting the principles of communism.
• The Principles of Communism: A precursor draft to the Manifesto, setting core communist tenets.
• Engels' and Marx's Letters: Provide additional context and insights into their collaboration and thoughts.