Communism

Question 1

Communism

Answer 1

A theory or system of social organization in which all property is owned by the community and each person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs.

Question 2

Karl Marx

Answer 2

The German father of communism, author of the Communist Manifesto.

Question 3

Fredrich Engels

Answer 3

Close supporter of Marx; co-author of the Communist Manifesto.

Question 4

Communist Manifesto

Answer 4

(Published in 1848) A political pamphlet often cited as the founding document of Communism.

Question 5

Primitive
Communism

Answer 5

First economic stage. This is how humans first lived together – in small tribes. Primitive means ‘not very advanced’ e.g. hunting and gathering. Communism means that everything was shared amongst the tribe – food, jobs, belongings. No-one owned land.

Question 6

Fedualism

Answer 6

Second economic stage. Under feudalism, a king or emperor or chief becomes the ruler over all the people.
The people are kept uneducated and told that god chose the king to rule. The church helps the king this way.
He gives land and privileges to ‘nobles’ who rule the people for him.
As trade develops, some people get richer.

Question 7

Capitalism

Answer 7

Third economic stage. The business owners or capitalists get richer while the workers do all the hard work.
The capitalists get more power to serve their own interests.
Capitalism creates a huge working-class of people who soon get angry at the way they are treated. They organise in unions and demand changes.

Question 8

Socialism

Answer 8

Fourth economic stage. In the Socialist revolution, all the rulers – kings, churches, capitalists- are removed.
The workers take control of the country to produce things for everyone.
Because nothing is made for profit, all people benefit from education and health.

Question 9

Communism

Answer 9

Fifth economic stage. The remaining capitalists put up a bitter fight, but the will of the people will always win.
As everyone now works together, war is a thing of the past – armies are not needed. Sharing means no police are needed. Everything is provided by the people – so money becomes a thing of the past.
All human activity goes towards benefiting each other – allowing all to live their lives to the full.

Question 10

Five economic stages

Answer 10

Primitive Communism, feudalism, capitalism, socialism, communism

Question 11

Features of a Totalitarian State

Answer 11

Government has total control over country- politically, economically, socially and culturally (broader than dictatorship – which may only seek political control).
Highly nationalistic: Heavy use of flags, salutes, uniforms, rallies/parades.
Military state: Use of military, secret police to enforce totalitarian rule and to imprison any opposition inside country.
Very strict laws/rules and discipline/punishment.
Censorship (of any opposing literature, media or ideas).
Propaganda (media- radio, slogans, posters).
Total conformity of people to an ideology and allegiance to their leader.

Question 12

Fascism

Answer 12

An authoritarian government system in which a dictator controls the lives of the people, who are not allowed to disagree with the government.

Question 13

Conservative

Answer 13

A philosophy that seeks to preserve traditional social institutions and practices

Question 14

Liberal

Answer 14

To believe in personal freedom and that society should change gradually in order to increase equality.

Question 15

Bourgeoisie

Answer 15

The middle class

Question 16

Proletariat

Answer 16

Collective term of the working class; term specific to Marxism

Question 17

Little Red Book

Answer 17

Famous piece of Maoism propaganda containing transcripts of Mao’s speeches and other quotes; widely distributed during the cultural revolution

Question 18

Purpose of the Little Red Book

Answer 18

To spread his message all over China and convince the Chinese youth to follow his ideologies, as well as to allow the said youth to feel as if the metaphorical ‘distance’ between them has lessened.

Question 19

Sun Yatsen

Answer 19

Father and forerunner of the Republic of China; a liberal who put the end to the Qing Dynasty.

Question 20

Three principles of Sun Yatsen

Answer 20

Nationalism, Democracy, and the People’s Livelihood.

Question 21

Vladimir Lenin

Answer 21

A Russian Marxism politician and developer of Leninism.

Question 22

Land Reform 1950

Answer 22

The agrarian land reform is a law confiscating the lands of rural landlords and redistributing them to the peasants.
Poor peasants publicly abused and shamed landlords. Peasants gained more luxury and wealth, which drastically changed the social structure of China.
It is estimated that the Chinese economy grew by upto 73.8%. The CCP gained more control over the countryside.

Question 23

The First Five-Year Plan

Answer 23

A list of economic goals aimed towards enhancing China’s economy and industrial production, which was inspired by Stalin’s Five-Year Plan.
Farmer were not able to keep up with fast productions, and many died of hunger. Life expectancy had risen from 36 to 56 years.
Increased steel, coal, oil, cement, machine, chemical fertiliser production; established stable industries.

Question 24

Marriage Law

Answer 24

A new marriage law was established in 1950, which transformed marriage into a contract between two willing persons.
The law gave women legal equality with men, and thus protected their rights; women were also able to work as well.
Created the expectation that women were to be socialist housewife but also needed to work—putting incredible pressure on women.
Slowed down population growth. An increase of women doing hard labour and working in institution. Divorce rate was ever-increasing.

Question 25

Hundred Flowers Campaign

Answer 25

A period in which students voiced their criticisms towards the government, and eventually became an Anti-Rightist Campaign.
The students and teachers who criticised him were persecuted—no one was safe. Caused citizens to realise that Mao was not trustworthy.
The general public lost their trust and retracted some support towards Mao and the Chinese Communist Party.

Question 26

The Great Leap Forward

Answer 26

A economical campaign aimed towards reforming agriculture and industries.
Caused families to be separated, destroyed communities, and depleted housing stock.
Created famines—20 million died. Grain and food production dramatically decreased; economic recession occured.

Question 27

Cultural Revolution

Answer 27

A sociopolitical movement in the People’s Republic of China launched by Mao Zedong in 1966, and lasting until his death in 1976. It involved mass manipulation of the younger generation into becoming ‘Red Guards’ by Mao, into despising conservatism and destroying the four old traditions: religion, literature, capitalism, and imperialism. Countless deaths of civilians, Red Guard and military personnel occurred during this period.

Question 28

What factors contributed to the CCP victory in the Chinese Civil War by 1949?

Answer 28

They were better at fighting than the Nationalists, and they won the favour of peasants when they protected the peasant lands in the North, as compared to the Nationalists had corrupt and forced the people to pay exorbitant taxes.