Karl Marx was one of the most influential men who ever lived. His writings and personal accomplishments have greatly swayed economics, social sciences, politics, religion and scholarship in general. During his lifetime, his political efforts, although not revolutionary, influenced the views of others who would later continue his legacy. The majority of Marx's influence, however, was after his death. The development of Marxism, and the conception of Marxist Social Democracy in Europe did not happen until over 20 years after his death. Marxism continues to have influence on our views as a society today. Marxism is studied in colleges and universities all throughout North America. There have been numerous political parties, movements and organizations molded by Marxist attitudes. Half of mankind is under direct effect of the interpretations of Marx. (Carmichael, 1967). Marx had immense influence during his own lifetime, through the development of Marxism and through the transformation of his writings into an ideology still used today.
             Karl Marx was born on May 5, 1818 in Trier, Prussia. His family was highly ambiguously Jewish; his father eventually converted to the religion of reason and humanism.
             "It seems not unlikely that Marx's lifelong detestation of formal
             religion, his unmistakable hostility to Judaism, and his curiously
             exaggerated aversion to individual Jews were somehow bound up
             with the slightest equivocal position of Jews like his father."
             As a child, Marx was hard working, attentive and well behaved. (Carmichael, 1967, 6). He was always very close with his father, but distant and cold towards his mother. He had no close friends among his classmates. He showed no inner warmth towards other children, he did not feel a need for relations with people his own age. Karl, instead, preferred the company of his father and his father's friends. He loved to read and discuss literature with...