eration. By analyzing "the essence of Christianity," Marx was able to replace the God in Hegel's equation with concrete factors. Thus, Hegel's ideas were suitable to be revised later in Marx's life to fit his own philosophy.
             The largest influence in Marx's life, however, was his longtime friend, Friedrich Engels. Engels was a paradox in some ways: He was wholeheartedly in favor of a proletarian revolution, but he was member of a wealthy German family, and thus enjoyed many bourgeois luxuries and pastimes. Engels introduced Marx to many of the things that would help him shape his economic and human philosophy later in life. He exposed Marx to many of the works of influential economists of the time. Marx, studying these, gained a better grasp of economics and theories about changing societal structures. He also showed Marx the German Workers' Education League, which was an offshoot of a Parisian secret society called the "League of the Just." This was to be merely one of the many organizations that Marx would come into contact with. Engels also showed Marx the atrocities faced by working-class Britain. Conditions in Britain for factory workers were far beyond substandard. Workers were explo!
             ited, underpaid, and generally mistreated. Marx took these to be the conditions for all Capitalist labor forces, however, which was one of the first signs to him that a proletarian revolution would be necessary.
             Friedrich Engels' greatest influence on Marx, however, was his bond with Marx. Marx was constantly in debt. This probably furthered his dislike for Capitalism. Engels would help him out of debt whenever he could, and sometimes when he couldn't. This overwhelming generosity strengthened Marx's love and respect for brotherhood and sharing, and thus, Communism. Engels, perhaps too good of a friend, instilled a bit too much faith in his fellowman into Marx. Engel...