Karl Marx viewed history as a series of class struggles between the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat). He believed that these struggles drove the development of society, and that ultimately, the proletariat would overthrow the bourgeoisie and establish a classless society based on common ownership of the means of production. He saw history as a progression from primitive communism, to feudalism, to capitalism, and finally to socialism and communism. Marx believed that the contradictions inherent in capitalism would lead to its downfall and the eventual triumph of socialism.
