Communism Flashcards
Communism
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.
Karl Marx
The German father of communism, author of the Communist Manifesto.
Fredrich Engels
Close supporter of Marx; co-author of the Communist Manifesto.
Communist Manifesto
(Published in 1848) A political pamphlet often cited as the founding document of Communism.
Primitive
Communism
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.
Fedualism
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.
Capitalism
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.
Socialism
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.
Communism
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.
Five economic stages
Primitive Communism, feudalism, capitalism, socialism, communism
Features of a Totalitarian State
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.
Fascism
An authoritarian government system in which a dictator controls the lives of the people, who are not allowed to disagree with the government.
Conservative
A philosophy that seeks to preserve traditional social institutions and practices
Liberal
To believe in personal freedom and that society should change gradually in order to increase equality.
Bourgeoisie
The middle class
Proletariat
Collective term of the working class; term specific to Marxism
Little Red Book
Famous piece of Maoism propaganda containing transcripts of Mao’s speeches and other quotes; widely distributed during the cultural revolution
Purpose of the Little Red Book
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.
Sun Yatsen
Father and forerunner of the Republic of China; a liberal who put the end to the Qing Dynasty.
Three principles of Sun Yatsen
Nationalism, Democracy, and the People’s Livelihood.
Vladimir Lenin
A Russian Marxism politician and developer of Leninism.
Land Reform 1950
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.
The First Five-Year Plan
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.
Marriage Law
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.
