The "Communist Manifesto" was published in 1848, written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. This seminal text outlined the principles of communism and served as a political and theoretical foundation for the movement. It proposed that historical development is driven by class struggles and urged the working class (proletariat) to rise against their capitalist oppressors (bourgeoisie). The manifesto argued for the abolition of private property and called for a revolutionary change to create a classless society. Its publication marked the beginning of a significant ideological movement that influenced political thought and revolutionary activities globally.