who was karl marx

Karl Marx was a German philosopher, political theorist, economist, journalist, and revolutionary socialist born on May 5, 1818, in Trier, Kingdom of Prussia (now Germany), and died on March 14, 1883, in London. He is best known for co- writing "The Communist Manifesto" with Friedrich Engels in 1848 and for his multi-volume work "Das Kapital," which provides a critique of political economy and capitalism through his theory of historical materialism. Marx's ideas, collectively known as Marxism, focus on the development of human societies through class conflict, particularly between the bourgeoisie (the ruling capitalist class) and the proletariat (the working class). He predicted that capitalism would eventually self-destruct due to its inherent contradictions and crises, leading to a proletarian revolution and the establishment of a classless, communist society. Marx was active in promoting revolutionary action and the emancipation of the working class. His work has been profoundly influential, shaping modern socialism, communism, and sociology. Despite controversies and critiques, Marx remains one of the most significant figures in modern intellectual history.