Proletariat facts for kids

A worker in Venezuela. Workers who use their hands are often seen as part of the proletariat.

This 1911 picture shows how some people saw capitalism. It says the proletariat "work for all" and "feed all".

The proletariat is a word used by people who believe in communism. It describes a large group of people in society. This group includes workers in cities who have jobs in factories or making things. These city workers are different from peasants, who are people who work on farms in the countryside.

People who follow the ideas of communism believe the proletariat should have a big change, sometimes called a revolution. They think these workers should take control of the "means of production." This means they should own the factories, tools, and land used to make goods. Sometimes, these workers are jokingly called "wage-slaves" because they work for wages.

The proletariat is the main group of people who do most of the important work in society. They also pay most of the taxes. People who support capitalism (another term from communist ideas) see these workers as important. They need them for their work and taxes. They also see them as a way to make money, or "profits," from their labor.

Who Are the Proletariat?

Understanding the Working Class

The word "proletariat" comes from an old Roman word. It described people who had little or no property. Their main contribution to society was having children (proles).

Today, it mostly means people who work for wages. They do not own the businesses or tools they use. Instead, they sell their ability to work to others.

This group includes many different kinds of workers. Factory workers, construction workers, and many service workers are part of the proletariat. They are essential for keeping society running.

Proletariat in History

The idea of the proletariat became very important during the Industrial Revolution. This was a time when many new factories were built. People moved from farms to cities to work in these factories.

These workers often faced tough conditions. They worked long hours for low pay. Their jobs could be dangerous. This led to new ideas about how society should be organized.

Thinkers like Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote a lot about the proletariat. They believed these workers were the most important class. They thought the proletariat would eventually change society.

Proletariat and Society

The Role of Workers in Society

Workers in the proletariat create most of the goods and services we use every day. They build our homes, make our clothes, and produce our food. They also provide services like transportation and cleaning.

Without the proletariat, many parts of society would stop working. Their labor is very important for the economy. They help businesses make products and earn money.

They also pay taxes, which help fund public services. These services include schools, roads, and hospitals. So, the proletariat supports society in many ways.

Proletariat and Economic Systems

In a capitalist system, businesses are usually owned by private individuals. These owners hire workers from the proletariat. The goal of the business is often to make a profit.

Some people believe that in this system, workers might not get a fair share of the profits. They argue that the owners get rich from the workers' labor. This idea is part of the "class struggle."

In a communist system, the idea is that the proletariat would own everything together. There would be no private owners. Everyone would work for the good of all.

Images for kids

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  Secessio plebis, a form of protest in Ancient Rome where the proletarii would leave the city, causing the economy to collapse

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  Jean-François Millet - The man with the hoe

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  Adolph Menzel - Iron rolling mill (1872-1875)

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  Soviet propaganda in Moscow, 1984