lesson 29 reading and writing.doc

7/27/2019 Lesson 29 reading and writing.doc

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Karl Marx The Creator of Socialism andCommunism.

While the champions oflaissez-faireeconomicspraised

individual rights and voiced anti-government

interference, other thinkers focused on the good ofsociety in general. They condemned (criticized) the evils

of industrial capitalism, which they believed had created

a huge gap between the rich and poor. To end povertyand injustice, they offered a radical (major) solution

socialism. Under the economic system ofsocialism, the

people as whole, rather than private individuals wouldown and operate the means of production the farms,

factories, railroads, and other big businesses that

produced and distributed goods to the people.

Karl Marx lived in Germany in the 1800s. At that time, countries like Britain and

Germany were experiencing the IndustrialRevolution. Cities were growing, factories werebeing built, and things were being made by

machines in factories instead of by hand.

Railroads were being built. A small number of

people who owned these factories were gettingvery rich due to all the business and profit from

their new factories. Meanwhile, while they weregetting rich, they paid their workers very little.This is the capitalism system. Most people in

Capitalism according to Marx are poor, work in

dangerous conditions, and live in bad housingconditions, crowded apartments, have sewage problems, no toilets, no running water etc.

Karl Marx thus criticized capitalism. He wanted workers to benefit from their hard

work and long hours and not just the owners. He wanted workers to have a revolutionand take over. His ideas became known as socialism, or later on as communism.

Socialists wanted to develop a world in which society would operate for the benefit of all

members, rather than just for the wealthy.

In a socialist society, government would own all

businesses. The government would ensure that

every member of society has a job that contributesto the overall well being of the country. There will

be no unemployment. In addition, the government

would decide what each job is worth. Thegovernment will decide how much pay each


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worker in the different jobs will receive, as well as how many days they will work. Since

people are working for the overall well being of the country, workers would be paid

equally or very close to one another. Doctors will work the same hours for the similar payas laborers. Lawyers wouldnt receive much more compensation (money) than a farmer.

A college graduate will have a higher-level job, but receive similar compensation as a

non-college graduate. Thus, in this society, everyone will do a job he or she is capable ofdoing, so that each part of society can function to the best of its ability. Money would not

play a major factor in this society, and thus, social classes would cease (not) exist.

In a socialist society, the government will control how much is produced, so no material,

time, or resources is wasted. The government will own all land, to prevent people from

selling their land, and thus disrupting the balance of the classes. All social classes shall

be abolished (gotten rid of) due to the government owning all means of production and

regulating (controlling) businesses and controlling employee pay. Everyone, male or

female, young or old, educated or not, will be viewed equally by all citizens and the

government. With everyone having the same rights, same income, same land rights, the

ideal (perfect) society will be formed. All people will be working together for thecommon good of the state!

Part 1 Answer the multiple-choice question by choosing the best possible answer

1) Which statement is supported by the ideas of Karl Marx?

A) Private ownership of businesses helps workers

B) Industrial Capitalism allows workers and employers to work together for a common

goodC) Countries should benefit from the wealth of their colonies

D) Industrialization benefits the wealthy and exploits the poor

2) What did Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels believe would be the result when

communism emerged finally as the dominant political and economic system?

A) The Soviet Union would become the worlds only super power

B) Only two social classes would exist in society

C) All the evils of the industrial society would disappear

D) Citizens would own their individual farms and homes

3) Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels encouraged workers to improve their lives by

A) demanding pensions and disability insurance

B) overthrowing the capitalist system

C) participating in local governmentD) electing union representatives


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4) According to the theories of Karl Marx, history can be viewed as a

A) succession of famines that result in the destruction of civilizationsB) repeating cycle of Imperialism and colonialism

C) listing of the accomplishments of the ruling classes

D) continuous struggle between economic classes

Part 2 Choose THREE questions out of the five to begin working on in class. You willprobably not finish, and need to complete this at home. Do more than three for extra

credit. All questions should be AT LEAST SEVEN SENTENCES LONG!

1) Who is Karl Marx? What theory did he come up with? According to the article, whatare the problems he has with capitalism? Do you agree with the article?

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2) What are some characteristics / policies / goals / of a socialist society?

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3) How does a socialist society compare to a capitalist society?

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4) Would you want to live in a socialist society? Why or why not? Give me clearEVIDENCE.


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lesson 29 reading and writing.doc

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