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AP World History: Modern
Unit 8 Overview: Cold War & Decolonization
8.1 Setting the Stage for the Cold War and Decolonization
8.2 The Cold War
8.3 Effects of the Cold War
8.4 Spread of Communism After 1900
8.5 Decolonization After 1900
8.6 Newly Independent States After 1900
8.7 Global Resistance to Established Power Structures After 1900
8.8 End of the Cold War
8.9 Causation in the Age of the Cold War and Decolonization

🌍ap world history: modern review

8.4 Spread of Communism After 1900

Verified for the 2025 AP World History: Modern exam•Last Updated on June 18, 2024

Chinese Revolution 🇨🇳

The Chinese Revolution of 1900 destroyed the age-old dynasty system. Out of it emerged a republic led by Sun Yat-Sen. However, this republic soon collapsed due to warlord conflicts.

Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party

Nationalists took power next and established their government--the Kuomintang, which battled for political control against the Chinese Communist Party. Anger toward the Kuomintang sparked in the May Fourth Movement, a cultural and political movement that emerged in China in 1919. It was sparked by a widespread sense of national humiliation and disillusionment with traditional Chinese values in the wake of the country's defeat in World War I and the imposition of unequal treaties by foreign powers. 

Student-led protests, intellectual debates, and cultural activism aimed at modernizing China and promoting democracy, science, and vernacular language during the May Fourth Movement played a key role in the intellectual and cultural transformation of China, laying the groundwork for the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) rise to power in 1949.

Japan's Invasion of Manchuria

The CCP soon gained grassroots support and slowly started pushing the Kuomintang out of cities. However, the CCP’s real growth took off with the  Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931. The Kuomintang was split between defending the government from the CCP or Japanese aggression, and they elected to focus their attention on the CCP. 

Conversely, the CCP started to fight the Japanese with the People's Liberation Army, which earned them widespread public support. The CCP also started to promote more education, better status for women, and peasant rebellion. All of this helped them gain support from commoners, and in 1949, the Chinese Communist Revolution ended with the CCP establishing the People’s Republic of China.

The Great Leap Forward

After the People's Republic of China gained control, the government made economic changes through the Great Leap Forward, a social and economic campaign launched by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under the leadership of Mao Zedong from 1958 to 1962. Its goal was to rapidly transform China from an agricultural society into an industrialized one by mobilizing the population to create large-scale agricultural and industrial communes. However, the campaign's hasty and poorly-planned implementation, combined with natural disasters and mismanagement, led to widespread famine and the deaths of millions of people. 

The Great Leap Forward was eventually abandoned in 1962, and its failure led to a significant shift in Chinese economic policies.

Communism’s Spread in Other Areas

Vietnam

The Vietnamese Communist Party, led by Ho Chi Minh, played a major role in the Vietnamese independence movement against French colonial rule. After World War II, Ho Chi Minh declared the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, which was not recognized by the French or the international community. The Vietnamese communists waged a long and bloody struggle against French colonial forces, culminating in the decisive defeat of the French at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. This led to the Geneva Accords, which partitioned Vietnam into the Communist-led North and the anti-Communist South.

Ethiopia 🇪🇹

Mengistu Haile Mariam converted Ethiopia into a communist regime as head of the ruling Marxist-Leninist party, the Workers' Party of Ethiopia. He nationalized industries and collectivized agriculture; however, his regime was characterized by widespread human rights abuses, including the execution of tens of thousands of political opponents and the forced relocation of millions of people. Mengistu's government also fought a costly war with Eritrea and faced a major famine that killed hundreds of thousands of people, which led to his ousting from power in 1991.

Land Reform in Kerala

The Indian state of Kerala elected a government that legitimized peasants’ right to cultivate the land and set a limit on the amount of land one could own. 

Other states in India enacted similar reforms, such as abolishing the British Zamindari system (feudal landholding) and ending the position of intermediary tax collectors. 

Iran 🇮🇷

The White Revolution (1963) was a set of aggressive modernization reforms, such as forcing big landholders to redistribute land, increasing federal funding for internal improvements, and encouraging industrial growth and education. 

Reform in Latin America 🌎

In Latin America, there was a general trend of peasants taking over dispossessed states to cultivate, as well as a trend toward modernization. Some specific examples include Brazil, which added taxes on large land tracts, and Chile, which encouraged peasant farming on large plantations. 

Review Game

Put the following events of Chinese History in chronological order:

  • CCP gains power and influence, largely for attacking the Japanese
  • Republic collapses due to warlord conflicts
  • Establishment of the People’s Republic of China
  • May Fourth Movement; ideas of communism began to expand
  • Nationalists take power and establish the Kuomintang
  • Chinese Revolution puts into place a republic led by Sun Yat-sen
  • Chinese Communist Revolution
  • Japanese invasion of Manchuria

Answers

  • Chinese Revolution puts into place a republic led by Sun Yat-sen
  • Republic collapses due to warlord conflicts
  • Nationalists take power and establish the Kuomintang
  • Japanese invasion of Manchuria
  • May Fourth Movement; ideas of communism began to expand
  • CCP gains power and influence, largely for attacking the Japanese
  • Chinese Communist Revolution
  • Establishment of the People’s Republic of China

Key Terms to Review (21)

Battle of Dien Bien Phu: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was a decisive engagement fought between March and May 1954, where the Viet Minh forces besieged French troops in a remote valley in northern Vietnam. This battle marked the end of French colonial rule in Indochina and signified a significant victory for communist forces in their struggle against colonial powers, contributing to the broader spread of communism in Asia during the mid-20th century.
Brazil Land Tax: The Brazil Land Tax was a tax system implemented in Brazil that primarily aimed to generate revenue from land ownership. This tax was significant in shaping land distribution and ownership patterns, impacting social structures and economic relations, especially during periods of social change and upheaval. As the spread of communism gained momentum in the 20th century, issues surrounding land ownership and wealth inequality became increasingly relevant in Brazil, making the land tax a focal point in discussions about social justice and reform.
Chile Peasant Farming: Chile Peasant Farming refers to the agricultural practices and socioeconomic conditions of rural farmers in Chile, particularly during the 20th century when land reform policies aimed to redistribute land to peasant communities. This farming system emerged in response to the inequalities of land ownership and was closely tied to the rise of leftist movements, including communism, as peasants sought greater rights and access to resources.
Chinese Communist Party: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China, established in 1921. It arose from a context of social upheaval and revolution, aiming to implement Marxist-Leninist principles and create a socialist society. The CCP played a crucial role in the spread of communism after 1900, particularly in Asia, as it navigated internal struggles, foreign interventions, and its eventual rise to power in 1949, influencing global communist movements.
Chinese Revolution: The Chinese Revolution refers to the series of events that led to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. This transformation was marked by significant social, political, and economic changes, including the rise of communism in China and the influence of various revolutionary movements throughout the early 20th century.
Democratic Republic of Vietnam: The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV), established in 1945, was a socialist state in Southeast Asia that emerged after World War II and played a key role in the spread of communism in the region. It was led by the communist party under Ho Chi Minh and sought to unify Vietnam under a communist government, challenging colonial powers and promoting revolutionary ideas that inspired other movements across Asia.
Geneva Accords: The Geneva Accords were a series of agreements reached in 1954 aimed at resolving conflicts in Indochina, particularly focusing on the division of Vietnam into North and South. These accords marked a significant moment in the Cold War context, as they established a temporary separation between communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam, setting the stage for future conflict as both sides vied for control over the country amidst the wider struggle between communism and democracy.
Great Leap Forward: The Great Leap Forward was an economic and social campaign initiated by the Chinese Communist Party from 1958 to 1962, aiming to transform China from an agrarian society into a socialist society through rapid industrialization and collectivization. This ambitious initiative sought to increase agricultural and industrial production, but ultimately led to widespread famine and economic disaster, highlighting the challenges of implementing communism in practice.
Ho Chi Minh: Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese revolutionary leader who played a crucial role in the struggle for Vietnam's independence from French colonial rule and the subsequent establishment of a communist state. His leadership significantly influenced the spread of communism in Southeast Asia and contributed to decolonization efforts around the world.
Japan's Invasion of Manchuria: Japan's Invasion of Manchuria was a military conflict that began in 1931 when the Japanese Imperial Army invaded the northeastern region of China known as Manchuria. This invasion marked a significant turning point in East Asian politics and was driven by Japan's desire for natural resources, territorial expansion, and an assertion of its power in the region, setting the stage for unresolved tensions that would later contribute to global conflicts.
Land Reform in Kerala: Land Reform in Kerala refers to the series of legislative and policy measures initiated in the late 20th century aimed at redistributing land to reduce inequality and improve agricultural productivity. This movement, influenced by communist ideologies, sought to address issues of landlessness and promote social justice, ultimately transforming the agricultural landscape and socioeconomic conditions in the region.
Mao Zedong: Mao Zedong was a Chinese communist revolutionary and founding father of the People's Republic of China, who played a pivotal role in shaping modern Chinese history. His leadership marked significant shifts in power dynamics within China and influenced global communism, leading to reforms that aimed to transform the Chinese economy and society radically.
May Fourth Movement: The May Fourth Movement was a cultural and political movement in China that emerged in 1919, fueled by student protests against the Treaty of Versailles and foreign imperialism. This movement aimed to promote nationalism, modernization, and a rejection of traditional Confucian values, laying the groundwork for the rise of new ideologies, including communism.
Mengistu Haile Mariam: Mengistu Haile Mariam was the leader of Ethiopia from 1974 to 1991, serving as a prominent figure in the Derg, a Marxist-Leninist military junta that established a socialist state in Ethiopia. His regime is significant in the context of the spread of communism after 1900, as it exemplifies how communist ideologies influenced governance in Africa during the Cold War, leading to both internal repression and international alignments.
Peasant Rebellion: Peasant rebellion refers to uprisings and revolts by the rural working class, often driven by grievances related to land, taxation, and social inequality. These movements were significant in the context of the spread of communism after 1900 as they reflected the growing discontent among the lower classes and served as catalysts for revolutionary ideas and movements that aimed to overthrow existing social and economic systems.
People's Liberation Army: The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the combined military forces of the People's Republic of China, consisting of the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Support Force. Established in 1927, the PLA played a vital role in the establishment and consolidation of communist rule in China, significantly contributing to the global spread of communism after 1900 through its influence in various conflicts and revolutions.
People’s Republic of China: The People's Republic of China (PRC) is a socialist state established in 1949, governed by the Communist Party of China (CPC). It emerged after a long civil war and marked the victory of communist forces over nationalist forces, fundamentally reshaping China's political landscape and its role in global affairs. The PRC has since become a major player in the spread of communism and has faced significant calls for reform in response to both domestic challenges and international pressures.
Vietnamese Communist Party: The Vietnamese Communist Party is the founding and ruling political party of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, established in 1930. It played a crucial role in the spread of communism in Southeast Asia after 1900, leading revolutionary movements against colonial powers and shaping Vietnam's political landscape through its commitment to Marxist-Leninist ideology.
White Revolution: The White Revolution, also known as the White Revolution of Iran, was a series of reforms initiated by the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in the 1960s and early 1970s aimed at modernizing the country and promoting economic development. This program included land reforms, nationalization of forests and pastures, and the promotion of literacy and health care, which were significant as they occurred in a context where communism was spreading in various parts of the world, raising concerns among leaders about potential leftist influences.
Workers' Party of Ethiopia: The Workers' Party of Ethiopia was a Marxist-Leninist political party established in 1984 that aimed to implement socialism in Ethiopia, particularly following the overthrow of the imperial regime. This party played a crucial role in the political landscape during the Derg regime, focusing on creating a one-party state and promoting communist ideologies amid a backdrop of civil war and famine in the country.
Zamindari System: The Zamindari System was a land revenue system in British India that allowed zamindars, or landowners, to collect taxes from peasants in exchange for land ownership rights. This system was characterized by the zamindars' role as intermediaries between the British colonial government and the agricultural population, often leading to exploitation of farmers. The zamindari system is significant as it contributed to the socio-economic disparities in rural India and played a role in shaping resistance movements against colonial rule, which were influenced by communist ideologies.
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8.5 Decolonization After 1900