The Communist Manifesto
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Introduction I. Bourgeois and Proletarians II. Proletarians and Communists III. Socialist and Communist Literature IV. Position of the Communists...
Themes
All Themes Capitalism and Progress Class and Hierarchy Inequality and Distribution of Wealth Work Intellectual Suppression vs. Empowerment
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Bourgeoisie Proletariat Communists Aristocracy Peasants Artisans
Terms
All Terms Capital Capitalism Commodity Communism Division of labor Feudalism Free trade Guilds Instruments of production Means of production Productive forces
Symbols
All Symbols Chains
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The Communist Manifesto

by

Karl Marx

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Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Introduction
  • I. Bourgeois and Proletarians
  • II. Proletarians and Communists
  • III. Socialist and Communist Literature
  • IV. Position of the Communists...
Themes
  • All Themes
  • Capitalism and Progress Theme Icon
    Capitalism and Progress
  • Class and Hierarchy Theme Icon
    Class and Hierarchy
  • Inequality and Distribution of Wealth Theme Icon
    Inequality and Distribution of Wealth
  • Work Theme Icon
    Work
  • Intellectual Suppression vs. Empowerment Theme Icon
    Intellectual Suppression vs. Empowerment
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • Bourgeoisie
  • Proletariat
  • Communists
  • Aristocracy
  • Peasants
  • Artisans
Terms
  • All Terms
  • Capital
  • Capitalism
  • Commodity
  • Communism
  • Division of labor
  • Feudalism
  • Free trade
  • Guilds
  • Instruments of production
  • Means of production
  • Productive forces
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • Chains Symbol Icon
    Chains
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
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Download the Teacher Edition
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The Communist Manifesto Study Guide

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MLA

Howard, James. "The Communist Manifesto." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 20 Oct 2018. Web. 7 Dec 2025.


Chicago

Howard, James. "The Communist Manifesto." LitCharts LLC, October 20, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2025. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-communist-manifesto.

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