历史唯物主义, or historical materialism, is a philosophical approach developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It posits that the material conditions of a society, such as its economic structure and class relations, fundamentally shape its social, political, and ideological systems. This theory emphasizes that history progresses through the conflict between different social classes. According to historical materialism, changes in the mode of production, like the transition from feudalism to capitalism, drive historical development. It suggests that human consciousness and societal norms are influenced by these material conditions, rather than the other way around.