Karl Marx and communism
I can describe the political thought of the philosopher Karl Marx and explain its influence on European politics.
Karl Marx and communism
I can describe the political thought of the philosopher Karl Marx and explain its influence on European politics.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The philosopher Karl Marx developed an influential theory about communism.
- Marx concluded that the working classes were exploited by those who owned property.
- Marx described the workers as the proletariat and the property-owners as the bourgeoisie.
- Marx envisioned this class conflict would end in revolution.
- Marxist thought inspired socialist movements throughout the world, including in Russia.
Keywords
Communist - something is communist if it relates to the belief that wealth should be shared equally and people should be treated as equals
Capitalist - something is capitalist if it relates to a system where some people own industry privately and make profit for themselves
Bourgeoisie - the bourgeoisie are members of the middle classes
Proletariat - the proletariat are members of the industrial working classes
Aristocracy - the aristocracy are the highest social class, usually in countries that have a royal family
Common misconception
Students assume all communists and socialists shared the same ideas.
Marx's ideas were interpreted differently by different groups of socialists. In Russia, this led to the split of the Social Democratic Party.
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Karl Marx and communism, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Karl Marx and communism, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Russian Revolution: did communism completely transform Russian society? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the upper classes
the middle classes
the industrial working classes