Communists

Definition

Communists are individuals or groups advocating for a political and economic ideology that seeks to create a classless society in which all property is collectively owned, and each person contributes and receives according to their abilities and needs. This ideology emerged as a response to the inequalities of capitalism during the Industrial Revolution, leading to movements that sought to overthrow capitalist systems and establish socialist or communist governments, particularly significant in the context of the global tensions that defined the 20th century.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Communism gained traction as a movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, spurred by discontent with working conditions during the Industrial Revolution.
2. The Communist Manifesto, published by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848, outlines the principles of communism and calls for the proletariat to rise against capitalist oppression.
3. The Russian Revolution of 1917 marked a pivotal moment for communism, as it led to the establishment of the Soviet Union, which became a model for other communist movements around the world.
4. During the Cold War, communism became synonymous with opposition to Western capitalism, leading to ideological conflicts between communist states and capitalist nations.
5. Communist movements often sought to eliminate private property and redistribute wealth in order to create economic equality, resulting in various forms of government control over resources and industries.

Review Questions

• How did communism emerge as a response to industrialization, and what were its main goals?
  • Communism emerged as a response to industrialization due to widespread social and economic inequalities faced by workers in rapidly industrializing societies. The main goals of communism include establishing a classless society where all property is collectively owned, eliminating private property, and ensuring that everyone contributes according to their abilities while receiving according to their needs. This ideology was seen as a way to address the exploitation and harsh conditions endured by workers under capitalism.
• Discuss the impact of the Bolshevik Revolution on global perceptions of communism during the early 20th century.
  • The Bolshevik Revolution had a profound impact on global perceptions of communism by demonstrating that a successful overthrow of a capitalist regime was possible. It inspired communist movements worldwide, leading to both fear and fascination among other nations. In some countries, it prompted governments to adopt more repressive measures against leftist movements while others sought to understand or adapt aspects of socialist policies as responses to public discontent. This dynamic set the stage for intense ideological conflicts during the Cold War era.
• Evaluate how communism influenced geopolitical relations during the Cold War period.
  • During the Cold War, communism significantly influenced geopolitical relations as it created a dichotomy between capitalist Western nations and communist states led by the Soviet Union. The fear of communism spreading globally resulted in various strategies such as containment policies by Western powers. This led to proxy wars, military alliances like NATO against the Warsaw Pact, and intense propaganda campaigns aimed at promoting capitalism while discrediting communism. The ideological battle not only shaped international relations but also affected domestic policies within numerous countries, resulting in lasting legacies that can still be felt today.

Related terms

Marxism: A socio-political and economic theory developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that critiques capitalism and advocates for a revolutionary approach to achieve a classless society.

Proletariat:

The working class who, according to communist theory, would rise up against the bourgeoisie (the capitalist class) to establish a communist society.

Bolsheviks:

A faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party that, under Lenin's leadership, seized power in the October Revolution of 1917, ultimately establishing the first communist state.