Communism

Definition

Communism is a political and economic ideology that advocates for a classless society where all property is publicly owned, and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. This ideology emerged in response to the inequities of capitalism, seeking to establish a system where the means of production are owned collectively, leading to the elimination of social classes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Communism became prominent in China after the Chinese Civil War (1927-1949), leading to the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
2. The Communist Party of China (CPC) was founded in 1921, inspired by Marxist principles and influenced by the Russian Revolution.
3. Key early policies of the CPC included land redistribution and collectivization, which aimed to eliminate feudal structures and empower peasants.
4. The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) was an ambitious campaign by Mao Zedong to rapidly transform China from an agrarian society into a socialist society through rapid industrialization and collectivization, but it resulted in widespread famine.
5. The Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 were partly driven by demands for political reform and greater personal freedoms within the communist framework, showcasing tensions between communist ideology and popular aspirations for democracy.

Review Questions

• How did communism contribute to political fragmentation and the rise of warlords in early 20th century China?
  • Communism's rise created significant political fragmentation as various factions vied for control over China's future. The Nationalists, led by Chiang Kai-shek, opposed communism and sought to eliminate its influence, leading to violent clashes with communist forces. This conflict weakened central authority, allowing warlords to gain power over regions of China, as local leaders capitalized on the chaos created by this ideological struggle.
• In what ways did the May Fourth Movement reflect discontent with both traditional Chinese culture and Western imperialism, and how did communism emerge as a response?
  • The May Fourth Movement was a cultural and political response against traditional Confucian values and Western imperialism following China's defeat in World War I. Intellectuals called for modernization, democracy, and science while rejecting old norms. Communism emerged as a radical response among these discontented youths, offering a vision for a new society that could liberate China from both foreign domination and feudalistic traditions.
• Evaluate the impact of early Communist policies on Chinese society and agriculture, especially regarding land reform and counterrevolutionary suppression during the establishment of the Communist government.
  • Early Communist policies focused on land reform aimed at redistributing land from landlords to peasants, fundamentally changing agricultural practices in China. This reform sought to dismantle feudal structures that had long oppressed rural populations. However, these policies also involved suppressing counterrevolutionaries perceived as threats to communist ideals. This suppression often led to violence and social unrest but was justified as necessary for consolidating power and fostering loyalty among peasants towards the Communist Party.

Related terms

Marxism: A socio-political and economic theory developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, which serves as the foundation for communist ideology, emphasizing class struggle and the need for revolutionary change.

Proletariat: The working-class people who, according to Marxist theory, are oppressed under capitalism and are expected to rise up to overthrow the capitalist class.

Bolshevik Revolution: The 1917 revolution in Russia led by the Bolshevik Party, which resulted in the overthrow of the provisional government and the establishment of a communist government under Lenin.