After the Great French Revolution of 1789-1794, the roots of modern-day communism can be clearly seen. In 1795, Gracchus Babeuf wrote the "Plebeians' Manifesto" which stated, for full social and economical equality:

"...to establish a common administration; to suppress individual property; to attach each man to the employment or occupation with which he is acquainted; to oblige him to place the fruits of his labor in kind into a common store; and to establish a simple administration for food supplies, which will take note of all individuals and all provisions, and will have the latter divided according to the most scrupulous equality." - "Plebeians' Manifesto"1

Because of this and other acts considered to be threatening to the Directory, Babeuf was executed in May of 1797. Babeuf was not forgotten though, others followed in his

Meanwhile in England, Robert Owen, a Welsh industrialist, was developing his own brand of Socialism. Unlike many philosophers of his time, Owen based his ideas on experience rather than speculation. He managed a factory and realized that labor was the essential "factor of production". He looked to the workers rather than government for solutions to economic problems. He proposed "cooperative societies", or self-contained communities of producers and consumers which he hoped would prove his theories. But his socialist experiment never took place because adequate funding was denied.

Even more influential, though, was German thinker Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. Hegel introduced "radical" ideas to European politics in the early 1800's, but they would not be fully realized by others until after his death in 1831. He was convinced that all life evolves from total unconsciousness to full self-consciousness. By this he meant that we as a race of people are gradually becoming more aware of our existence. At his intellectual peak, Hegel said, "The real is the rational." And although this may not have been Hegel's intent, many 19th and 20th century followers interpreted this as a outward rejection of religion which in itself is centered on faith.

Both Marx and Feuerbach were powerful spokesmen of the proletariat. They both knew that labor was an indispensable factor of production as Robert Owen did in the early 19th century. Throughout the class struggles of the late 20th century, Marx stood by the proletariat. He argued that the providers of a nation, the working class, should be treated fairly, democratically. This lead to the development of the Paris Commune in 1871. It was said by Marxian Communist's to be the first attempt to establish a democratic workers' state. Unfortunately, the commune ended with tens of thousands of men and women being executed or deported.

When attention shifted from Marx to the development of a Communist state in Russia, leaders like Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky and later, Joseph Stalin lead the Soviet Union into the 20th century and through two world wars. And as the economic situation worsened in China, the U.S.S.R. came to their aid and soon, a Communist party was established with Mao Tse-tung

Some common words found in the essay are:
Hegel Hegel, Republic Socrates, Socialism Unlike, Charles Fourier, Plebeians' Manifesto, Manifesto Feuerbach, War China, , Thomas Munzer, Soviet Union, 20th century, soviet union, modern-day communism, marx engels, according capacities according, factor production, capacities according, french revolution, communist party, according capacities, ideal system,
Approximate Word count = 1511
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)