Communism

Definition

Communism is a political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. This concept was central to the Soviet Union's identity, shaping its policies and international relations from the early 20th century onwards, influencing both domestic and foreign affairs during critical historical moments, including economic reforms, wartime alliances, and the Cold War.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The October Revolution of 1917 established the first communist government in Russia, leading to the creation of the Soviet Union as a model for communist governance.
2. Under Joseph Stalin, the Soviet Union implemented policies such as collectivization and industrialization, which were aimed at rapidly transforming the economy but often led to widespread famine and suffering.
3. Communism influenced global politics during World War II, with the Soviet Union forming temporary alliances with capitalist countries against Nazi Germany.
4. The Cold War was marked by ideological conflict between communist states led by the Soviet Union and capitalist countries, particularly the United States, resulting in proxy wars and significant political tension.
5. The legacy of communism continues to shape modern politics, with various countries grappling with its historical impact on governance, economic systems, and social structures.

Review Questions

• How did communism shape the economic policies implemented during the New Economic Policy (NEP) period in the Soviet Union?
  • Communism played a critical role in shaping the NEP as it represented a pragmatic shift from full state control to a mixed economy. Introduced by Lenin in 1921, the NEP allowed some private enterprise and small-scale private ownership while maintaining state control over major industries. This approach aimed to revive the economy after the devastation of the Russian Civil War while still adhering to communist principles. By balancing state interests with market mechanisms, the NEP was a significant step in addressing economic hardships while laying groundwork for future socialist policies.
• Analyze how communism influenced the strategies employed by the Soviet Union during World War II, particularly in relation to its alliance with capitalist nations.
  • During World War II, communism significantly influenced Soviet strategies, particularly through its temporary alliance with capitalist nations against a common enemy. The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact highlighted this complex relationship, as it allowed both nations to avoid conflict at first. However, once Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, the USSR had to align itself with Western powers like the United States and Britain. This alliance was driven by necessity rather than ideological compatibility, showcasing how communism impacted wartime diplomacy while leading to deeper ideological divides post-war.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of communism on international relations after World War II and its contribution to the emergence of the Cold War.
  • The long-term impacts of communism on international relations after World War II were profound, primarily contributing to the emergence of the Cold War. As the Soviet Union expanded its influence across Eastern Europe, establishing communist regimes aligned with its ideology, tensions grew with Western powers fearing the spread of communism. The ideological divide led to arms races, proxy wars, and significant geopolitical strategies like containment from capitalist nations. This ongoing conflict not only defined global politics for decades but also shaped national policies worldwide, influencing movements for independence and social change in various regions.

Related terms

Marxism:

A socio-economic theory developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that critiques capitalism and advocates for a revolutionary overthrow of capitalist societies, leading to a classless society.

Leninism:

An adaptation of Marxism developed by Vladimir Lenin that emphasizes the role of a vanguard party in leading the working class to revolution and establishing a socialist state.

State Capitalism: An economic system where the state has significant control over production and capital, often used by communist states to manage economies during transitions or crises.