How did historical materialism differ from Hegel's philosophy of history?

While both Karl Marx and G.W.F. Hegel viewed history as a directional, dialectical process driven by conflict, they differed fundamentally on the nature of the forces propelling that change.12

• Idealism vs. Materialism: Hegel was an idealist who believed history was the unfolding of the "World Spirit" or "Idea" in time, where change was the expression of spirit realizing its own freedom. In contrast, Marx’s historical materialism argued that the material world is the primary reality. He asserted that it is not consciousness that determines being, but rather social being—specifically the mode of production—that determines consciousness.123
• The Driver of Change: For Hegel, contradictions were resolved through the development of thought and spirit. For Marx, the "motor of history" was the material conflict between evolving productive forces and existing social relations. When these relations became impediments to production, they were resolved through concrete social action and class struggle rather than abstract thought.1342
• Methodology: Marx rejected Hegel’s attempt to deduce historical events from abstract dialectical principles. Instead, he maintained that these principles must be inferred from the actual, material course of events.2