Materialist Conception of History

The Materialist Conception of History is a theory that suggests economic and material conditions—like technology, resources, and classes—are the primary drivers of historical change. It posits that societies develop and transform mainly because of changes in their economic base, which influence laws, politics, culture, and social structures. For example, shifts from feudalism to capitalism were driven by technological advances and new economic practices, shaping how societies organize and evolve over time. This view emphasizes that understanding the material and economic realities of a time period is key to understanding its history.