Liberalism/socialism/communism do represent different degrees of control over people. They have existed throughout history, Marx was simply prominent in the last 100 years or so. He did not originate the concept of control over others, he simply tried to make it more acceptable to the masses. Makes it easier to gain, then remain, in control.
Liberalism comes by promising utopia. It always fails so the next step is socialism, more forced control. When that fails, then the walls go up. People don't want to be controlled by others. They want to be free. But freedom means that left-wing 'leaders' aren't needed. Conflict arises when those leaders refuse to accept that!