the text introduces the background and methodology of Engels' study, paying tribute particularly to the significant contributions of Lewis Henry Morgan, who meticulously analyzed early social structures among Indigenous peoples in North America. Engels emphasizes that the historical development of family structures cannot be understood in isolation but must be viewed within the context of evolving economic relations and the struggles between different social classes. He critiques the traditional narratives surrounding family and property, proposing instead a materialist conception of history that highlights how societal organization is a product of the control over resources and social relationships. This sets the stage for a thorough examination of human societal evolution and serves as a foundation for Engels’ broader socio-political arguments. (This is an automatically generated summary.)