California Teacher Credentialing Examination (CSET) Practice Test

Karl Marx viewed history primarily through the lens of class struggle, particularly as a struggle between the exploiters and the exploited. He believed that the dynamics of power and production shaped society and that the fundamental social relationships were defined by the ownership of the means of production. This perspective posited that throughout history, society has been divided into classes, with those who own the means of production exploiting those who do not.

Marx's historical materialism emphasized that economic forces and class relations drive social change. The conflict arises from the interests of the ruling class (the exploiters) opposing those of the working class (the exploited). According to Marx, this class struggle is the engine of historical development, leading to societal transformations and revolutionary change.

The view that history is merely a series of political reforms fails to capture the deeper economic and class conflicts present in society. Similarly, while conflict between the rich and poor is a component of Marx's theory, his focus is not just on wealth inequality but on the structural relations of exploitation that define class interactions. Lastly, while acknowledging that economic processes are vital to historical development, Marx's interpretation emphasizes the specific relationships of exploitation and domination that characterize each historical phase rather than a simplistic notion of economic development alone.