The early political climate in Germany during the late 19th century profoundly shaped Karl Marx's thought process. The rapid industrialization and the rise of capitalism led Marx to critically analyze the relationship between capital and labor. His exposure to the harsh realities faced by the working class fueled his belief in class struggle and the necessity of revolutionary change. The influence of contemporary political thinkers, combined with the economic conditions of the time, pushed Marx to develop his theories on communism as a solution to societal inequities and injustices.