The Communist Manifesto Three-Act Plot Analysis

Act I

Feudalism collapses; the bourgeoisie becomes the most powerful class, and the aristocracy fades away. But the bourgeoisie is oppressing the proletariat (the workers). The workers begin rebelling.

Act II

The workers band together in groups that are larger and larger and more and more powerful. Eventually, the time comes for violent revolution.

Act III

The proletariat overthrows the bourgeoisie and establishes a temporary or "vanguard" government to transition society from capitalism to communism. This is brought about by seizing the means of production and all capital from the rich and putting all of this into the hands of the community, the workers. According to Marx, this will end economic classes forever.