In 1848, a slim pamphlet was published in London that would ignite revolutions and change the course of history. The Communist Manifesto, authored by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (read here for more info about them), was more than a political statement. It was a call to arms for the working class—a radical blueprint to overthrow the existing order and reshape society.
Even today, its influence reverberates. Understanding The Communist Manifesto is key to discerning the roots of Marxism that rears its head up in various ideologies.
The Purpose of the Manifesto
Marx and Engels wrote The Communist Manifesto as a rallying cry for the proletariat—the working class. Their goal was to unify workers under the banner of communism to overthrow the bourgeoisie, the capitalist class.
The manifesto begins with its famous declaration: “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.” Marx and Engels argued that all human history could be reduced to a series of conflicts between oppressors and the oppressed. Their solution was simple yet radical: dismantle the structures that allowed these conflicts to persist.
But, The Communist Manifesto was not just a critique of capitalism or systems that created such conflicts. It was an ambitious vision of a future without private property, families, and religion.
The Ten-Point Plan
The core of The Communist Manifesto includes the Ten-Point Plan. It is a list of measures Marx and Engels believed would pave the way for that vision of a classless society. Here’s what they proposed:
- Abolition of private property: The state would seize and control all land and resources.
- A heavy progressive income tax: Wealth redistribution through taxation.
- Abolition of inheritance rights: Preventing wealth from being passed down to future generations.
- Confiscation of property from emigrants and rebels: State seizure of assets from dissenters.
- Centralization of credit in the hands of the state: A state-run banking monopoly.
- Centralization of communication and transportation: Government control over media and infrastructure.
- State ownership of production: Factories, farms, and businesses to be owned collectively.
- Equal obligation to work: Everyone would be required to contribute labor.
- Gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country: Redistribution of the population.
- Free public education: State-run schools to educate future generations.
On the surface, these points seem like measures for equality. Yet, when implemented, they lead to state control, loss of freedom, and widespread oppression. This is why the term “equity’ can serve as an easy signal for Marxist doctrine.
A Revolutionary Vision
The Communist Manifesto painted a picture of a utopian future: a world without class distinctions, where wealth and resources would be shared equally, and conflict would cease to exist. But Marx and Engels insisted that reform or persuasion could not achieve such a society. It required a revolution. They explicitly called for the “forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions.” This was not a peaceful transition—it was an all-out war.
What they either neglected to consider—or understood all too well—was that a revolution that grants absolute power to the state does not lead to freedom but to tyranny. Destroying private property, suppressing religion, and dismantling the family does not produce equality. These actions create dependency on an all-powerful state.
The revolutions inspired by Marxism birthed regimes that silenced dissent, crushed individual freedoms, and justified brutality in the name of “progress.” From the Soviet Union to Maoist China to modern socialist states, the road paved by The Communist Manifesto has been one of bloodshed, economic ruin, and the suffering of millions.
A Biblical Contrast
The message of The Communist Manifesto stands in direct opposition to biblical truth.
Marxism seeks to abolish private property, but Scripture affirms the right to own and steward what God has entrusted (Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15, Exodus 20:15).
Marxism fuels class warfare, and the Bible calls for voluntary charity (Is. 1:17, Micah 6:8, 2 Cor 8:6-7).
Marxism views the family as an institution to be dismantled, seeing parental influence as an obstacle to state control. But Scripture tells us that God Himself ordained the family (Genesis 1:28, Proverbs 17:6, 1 Timothy 5:8).
Marxism grants ultimate power to the state; the Bible speaks of true freedom—not in submission to human rulers but in deliverance from oppression (Exodus 3:7-8, Isaiah 61:1, Galatians 5:1).
Marx and Engels sought to replace God with the state, believing man could create a perfect world. But every attempt to build paradise apart from God has led to oppression, destruction, and despair. Their manifesto was a blueprint—not for freedom, but for enslavement.
Why It Matters Today
Though written over 170 years ago, The Communist Manifesto remains relevant. Its ideas have taken new forms in education, media, and politics, often under the guise of progress and equity. Recognizing its influence is the first step in resisting its dangerous effects.