p Millions of people in all parts of the world are taking great interest in Marxism-Leninism nowadays.

p Marxist doctrine has changed from being the scientific prevision it was in the day of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, to become the foundation of the practical activities of many millions of people.

p Transformations have taken place under the banner of Marxism that have radically changed the world-such historic events as the Great October Socialist 10 Revolution, the building of developed socialism in the USSR, the formation and development of the world socialist system, the social and national liberation struggles, and the victories won by the working class and working people of the world. Marxism-Leninism is exerting an ever growing influence on the destinies of mankind.

p “The Marxist doctrine is omnipotent because it is true,”   [10•1  said Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. It expresses the interests of society’s foremost, progressive forces and fully meets the vital needs of society in its historical development.

p The theory, created more than a century ago by Karl Marx and Frederick Engcls, has been further developed in Lenin’s works. The names of Marx and Lenin are inseparable. Leninism is the Marxism of the epoch of imperialism and proletarian revolutions, of the collapse of the colonial system and the transition of society from capitalism to socialism. Today, Marxism is absolutely unthinkable without Leninism.

p Marxism-Leninism is a single international theory. It serves as a theoretical weapon for all 11 peoples lighting for socialism and generalises their revolutionary experience.

p Marxism-Leninism represents an organic unity of philosophy, political economy, and the theory of scientific communism. The solid foundation of Marxist-Leninist science as a whole comprises the philosophical theory of Marxism-Leninism - dialectical and historical materialism.

The aim of this book is to set out in popular form the main issues of historical materialism, which is an integral part of Marxist-Leninist philosophy.