Ch 07 - Communist revolutions: Russia, China, and Cuba Flashcards
Who were Karl Marx and Frederick Engels?
Karl Marx was a German philosopher and journalist, and Frederick Engels was an industrialist. Together, they observed the poor working conditions in 19th-century Britain and developed the theory of communism.
What did Marx and Engels observe about industrial workers in Britain?
They observed appalling conditions, including child labor, 12- to 16-hour workdays, and repetitive work with machines, which they found inhuman.
What was Karl Marx’s theory of history?
Marx argued that history progresses through class revolutions. First, capitalists overthrow monarchies, and then workers rise up to overthrow the capitalists, leading to communist states.
How did workers in Europe and North America respond to Marx’s idea?
Workers formed unions and labor parties, which improved wages, limited hours, and increased social benefits, instead of pursuing revolutions.
What did Marx predict about workers’ revolutions?
Marx predicted a global surge of workers’ revolutions against capitalists and liberal constitutional states, replacing them with communist societies where property is owned collectively.
What was the state of Russia in the 19th century?
Russia was the largest but most backward European state, with serfs only freed in 1861 but burdened by redemption payments. Industrial centers were limited, and the tsar ruled absolutely.
Where did Marx’s predicted communist revolutions occur?
They occurred in agrarian states like Russia and China, where intellectuals aimed to leap directly from peasant societies to communism.
What happened during the February Revolution of 1917?
Women’s protests over bread shortages grew into mass demonstrations. Soldiers defected to the protesters, forcing Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate and ending Romanov rule.
What events led to the 1905 Revolution in Russia?
Russia’s defeat by Japan sparked peasant rebellions, worker strikes, and naval mutinies. Although suppressed, these events pressured the government to create reforms like the Duma and land changes.
What role did World War I play in the Russian Revolution?
Russia’s defeats in the war, combined with domestic protests and food shortages, undermined the tsarist regime, leading to the February Revolution and Tsar Nicholas II’s abdication.
Who was Vladimir Lenin, and what was his idea?
Lenin was a revolutionary thinker who proposed a vanguard communist party to lead workers and peasants in overthrowing the tsarist regime and creating a communist society.
What was the provisional government in Russia?
It was a temporary government formed after the tsar’s abdication, but it lost support due to its decision to continue Russia’s involvement in World War I.
What were soviets?
Soviets were councils organized by workers, soldiers, and peasants, which became key supporters of the Bolshevik Revolution.
What occurred during the October Revolution of 1917?
The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, staged a bloodless coup by taking control of key government buildings overnight, establishing a communist government.
What was the Red Army, and who organized it?
The Red Army was the communist military force organized by Leon Trotsky, consisting of defecting soldiers, workers, and drafted peasants.
What was the White Army?
The White Army was the counterrevolutionary force of tsarist generals aiming to overthrow the communists during the Russian Civil War.
How did the Red Army defeat the White Army?
The Red Army used its central position, control of rail lines, greater support from workers and peasants, and experienced officers to triumph in the civil war from 1918 to 1921.
Why were Tsar Nicholas II and his family executed?
They were executed by the communists to prevent them from becoming rallying symbols for the White Army.
What was depicted in a 1919 White Army poster about Leon Trotsky?
The poster depicted Trotsky as the “Red Menace” of the Russian Revolution, sitting on the wall of the Kremlin.
What was “war communism” under Lenin?
It was a policy where the party took total control of the economy and claimed all assets during the Russian Civil War.
What was Lenin’s New Economic Policy (NEP)?
A policy allowing peasants and small private businesses to market their products to help the economy recover after the civil war.
What leadership struggle arose after Lenin’s death in 1924?
A struggle between those wanting to continue the NEP and those advocating for full communist control. Joseph Stalin led the latter faction and became leader.
What were Stalin’s collectivization and industrialization programs in the 1930s?
Stalin collectivized peasant farms and redirected grain to cities for industrialization, causing millions of deaths due to famine and resource seizures.
How did Stalin suppress opposition?
He used purges, show trials, executions, and created a vast “gulag” prison system across the Soviet Union.
What was Stalin’s role in World War II and its aftermath?
Stalin’s industrialization helped defeat Nazi Germany. After WWII, the Soviet Union became a global superpower and supported communist regimes in Eastern Europe.
Who was Mao Zedong?
Mao Zedong, born in 1893, was the leader of China’s Communist Revolution and placed the peasantry at the core of his movement.
What challenges did China face under the Qing dynasty?
The Qing dynasty faced Western technological superiority, foreign intervention, rapid population growth, and internal uprisings like the Taiping Rebellion.
What was the Boxer Rebellion?
An antiforeigner movement in 1900 where Chinese rebels attacked Europeans in Beijing, leading to foreign occupation and massive indemnities.
Who was Sun Yat-sen?
An early revolutionary leader who became the first president of the Republic of China in 1912.
What led to the fall of the Qing dynasty?
Anti-Manchu uprisings and defections by the New Army culminated in the 1911 Chinese Republican Revolution, ending over 2,000 years of imperial rule.
How did Yuan Shikai’s rule impact China?
Yuan Shikai’s rule led to the dissolution of the republic, warlord dominance, and his failed attempt to restore the monarchy.
What was the role of the Guomindang (GMD) in early republican China?
The GMD, led by Sun Yat-sen and later Chiang Kai-shek, aimed to restore the republic and unite China but eventually clashed with communists.
What was the Northern Expedition?
A 1926-27 military campaign where the GMD and CCP cooperated to defeat warlords.
When was the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) founded, and who was an early leader?
The CCP was founded in 1921, with Mao Zedong as an early leader.
What was the “White Terror” campaign?
A campaign initiated by Chiang Kai-shek in 1927 to eliminate communists, resulting in mass killings across China.
What strategy did Mao propose for the CCP during the Northern Expedition?
Mao argued that the CCP should take advantage of peasant uprisings and raise a peasant army.
What opposition did Mao face within the CCP regarding his strategy?
Mao was opposed by other CCP leaders who believed that only an industrial proletariat could be the core of a communist party.
Where did Mao establish a rural base in 1930, and what was it called?
Mao established a rural base in Jiangxi, southern China, called the “Soviet Republic of China.”
How did Japan’s invasion of Manchuria in 1931 impact Chiang Kai-shek’s priorities?
The invasion forced Chiang to focus on defending China against Japan, but he still remained determined to eliminate Mao’s forces.
What reforms did Mao implement in the Jiangxi base?
Mao carried out land reforms and built up his peasant Red Army.
What was the Long March, and what were its outcomes?
The Long March was an 80,000-strong retreat from Jiangxi to Shaanxi in 1934 to evade Nationalist forces. Only about 8,000 survived, but it solidified the CCP leadership’s reputation for endurance.
What significant event occurred in 1937, escalating conflict in China?
Japan launched a full invasion, capturing Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing.
How did the CCP and GMD differ during the Japanese invasion (1937-1945)?
The CCP built support in peasant communities and were seen as less corrupt, while the GMD operated from cities and grew increasingly corrupt.
What led to the CCP’s victory in the Chinese Civil War?
CCP’s strong peasant support, Soviet assistance, and the Nationalists’ corruption and economic mismanagement.
When was the People’s Republic of China proclaimed, and by whom?
Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China in October 1949.
What were the CCP’s initial economic policies once in power?
They nationalized farmland, organized collectives, and emphasized heavy industry following the Soviet model.
What role did Mao’s “Little Red Book” play in the Cultural Revolution?
It spread revolutionary slogans and bolstered Mao’s personality cult.
What was the Great Leap Forward (1958-60)?
A campaign to accelerate economic growth through rural communes and backyard furnaces, focusing on iron and steel production.
What was Mao’s goal with the Cultural Revolution (1966)?
Mao aimed to promote “continuous revolution,” combat materialism, and revitalize revolutionary ideals.
What were the consequences of the Great Leap Forward?
It caused economic chaos, a food shortage, and a catastrophic famine that killed tens of millions.
Who took over economic planning after the Great Leap Forward?
Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, and Deng Xiaoping took over economic planning in 1960.
Who were the Red Guards, and what were their actions during the Cultural Revolution?
Tens of millions of youth became Red Guards, attacking CCP officials, intellectuals, and professionals under Mao’s encouragement.
What was Mao Zedong’s strategy during the Northern Expedition?
Mao argued for raising a peasant army by taking advantage of peasant uprisings, opposing the orthodox CCP view that only the industrial proletariat could lead a communist party.
What event in 1931 forced the GMD to shift focus away from Mao?
Japan’s invasion of Manchuria in 1931 forced the GMD to focus on defending China against the Japanese.
What happened to many students and professionals during the Cultural Revolution?
Millions were exiled to rural villages to perform manual labor, including future leader Deng Xiaoping.
Where did Mao establish his rural base in 1930, and what did he call it?
Mao established his rural base in Jiangxi, southern China, and proclaimed it the “Soviet Republic of China.”
How did the CCP’s approach differ from the GMD during the Japanese invasion (1937–1945)?
The CCP built its base in peasant communities, was less corrupt, and focused on welfare, while the GMD remained city-based, increasingly corrupt, and reliant on U.S. aid.
What was the Long March, and what were its outcomes?
The Long March (1934–1935) was a retreat of 80,000 communists from Jiangxi to Shaanxi to escape Nationalist forces. Only about 8,000 survived the 6,000-mile journey, toughening CCP leadership and solidifying their legendary status.
What was the Great Leap Forward, and what were its consequences?
The Great Leap Forward (1958–1960) emphasized rural industrialization through communes and backyard furnaces. It caused economic chaos, food shortages, and a famine that killed tens of millions.
What led to the CCP’s victory over the GMD in the Chinese Civil War (1945–1949)?
The CCP’s disciplined forces, Soviet support, and GMD corruption, including hyperinflation and mistreatment of liberated populations, led to Mao’s victory. The GMD fled to Taiwan in 1949.
What were Mao’s initial policies after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949?
Mao nationalized farmland, organized collectives, and prioritized heavy industry following the Soviet model.
What economic reforms did Deng Xiaoping implement after 1978?
Deng ended communes, allowed land leasing and market activities, encouraged foreign investment, privatized state enterprises, and implemented the one-child policy.
What was the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, and why was it launched?
Launched in 1966, the Cultural Revolution aimed to rekindle revolutionary ideals. Mao mobilized youth as Red Guards, closed schools, and attacked intellectuals and rivals, causing widespread chaos and exile of professionals.
What characterized Fulgencio Batista’s rule in Cuba?
Batista canceled elections in 1952, relied on the army, and aligned with elites connected to foreign business investments, especially U.S.-owned sugar production.
How did Deng’s leadership handle pro-democracy movements?
Deng harshly repressed the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, maintaining the CCP’s authoritarian control.
How did the Cultural Revolution end?
Armed conflict between factions and social disorder led the army to restore order. After Mao’s death in 1976, the Gang of Four was arrested, ending the radical phase of the revolution.
How did Castro’s guerrilla forces gain support?
Castro’s promises of land reform, schooling, and health care won peasant support. His forces used hit-and-run tactics to outfight Batista’s military.
What was Fidel Castro’s initial attempt to overthrow Batista?
Castro led the failed attack on the Moncada barracks in 1953. He was captured, gave a famous speech, and was sentenced to prison but released in 1955 under an amnesty.
How did the U.S. react to Batista’s actions in 1958?
The U.S., dismayed by Batista’s violence, halted arms shipments, weakening Batista’s forces.
Who joined Fidel Castro in exile in Mexico, and what was their plan?
Fidel and Raul Castro, along with Che Guevara and others, planned an armed insurrection. They sailed to Cuba on the yacht Granma in 1956 but were ambushed, leaving only a small group to regroup in the Sierra Maestra.
What led to Batista’s downfall?
Castro’s forces advanced as Batista’s army refused to fight. Batista fled on January 1, 1959, and Castro entered Havana with popular support.
What reforms did Castro implement after taking power in Cuba?
Castro nationalized foreign business operations, carried out land reforms, and initiated national literacy and health campaigns, building thousands of new schools and clinics.
What event brought the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war?
The Cuban Missile Crisis, triggered by the placement of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, brought the U.S. and the Soviet Union close to nuclear war.
Why did Castro initially avoid openly proclaiming his intention to establish a communist state?
Castro feared that the United States would move to crush his revolution.
What event marked the U.S.-backed attempt to overthrow Castro, and when did it occur?
The Bay of Pigs invasion, financed by the CIA and carried out by Cuban refugees and exiles, occurred on April 7, 1961.
How did Castro respond after the Bay of Pigs invasion?
Castro proclaimed his intention to make Cuba a communist society and formed an alliance with the Soviet Union, even placing Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba.
How was the Cuban Missile Crisis resolved?
The United States imposed a naval blockade, leading to a tense standoff. Ultimately, the Soviet missiles were withdrawn from Cuba.
What long-term U.S. policies were enacted against Cuba after the Cuban Missile Crisis?
The United States maintained a strict trade embargo on Cuba and imposed restrictions on travel, which remain in place.
How did the Cuban economy perform under Castro’s communist regime?
The economy struggled under communism and survived largely with support from the Soviet Union and later allies like Venezuela.
What happened to Castro’s opponents who remained in Cuba?
Opponents who criticized Castro’s regime faced imprisonment or execution.
How did Castro’s revolution inspire others?
Castro’s victory and defiance of the United States inspired other would-be revolutionaries, including Che Guevara, who promoted the “foco” theory of revolutions.
Who succeeded Fidel Castro as leader of Cuba, and when?
Raul Castro succeeded Fidel Castro in 2008 when Fidel became too ill to rule.
What was Che Guevara’s “foco” theory?
Che Guevara argued that a small band of guerrillas (a foco) could overthrow any unjust regime.
Why did the “foco” theory often fail in practice?
The success of Castro’s revolution depended on unique factors like Batista’s brutality and corruption, resentment of foreign interference, and the U.S. arms embargo. Similar movements against efficient regimes or U.S.-supported governments were crushed.
What happened to Che Guevara while promoting revolution in Bolivia?
Che Guevara was captured and executed in Bolivia in 1967.
What recent economic reforms have occurred under the Castro regime?
The regime has encouraged international tourism and reformed rules on small businesses, banking, real estate, and markets for cars, computers, and consumer goods.
How has the Castro regime survived for decades?
The regime survived by drawing on Cuban nationalism, resentment of the U.S. embargo, and gradual economic reforms.
What remains uncertain about Cuba’s future under Raul Castro’s leadership?
It is unclear how quickly changes will occur under Raul’s conservative guidance and what direction new generations of leaders might take.
