History Communism Key terms

Question 1

Define communism.

Answer 1

A theory or system of social organisation in which there is a classless society; production is organised to provide for what people need, without any requirement for money; everything is owned by everyone; there is no private property.

Question 2

Define Soviet.

Answer 2

Russian word for council; workers’ councils played an important part in the Bolshevik Revolution (1917), which overthrew the temporary Russian government of the time.

Question 3

Define Marxism.

Answer 3

Theories following the writings of Karl Marx (1818-83), who developed an economic and political argument for the inevitable triumph of communism over capitalism.

Question 4

Define Bolshevik.

Answer 4

Member of the Russian Social-Democratic Worker’s Party, which, under the leadership of Lenin became the dominant political power in Russia in 1917.

Question 5

Define satellites.

Answer 5

A political term that refers to a country that is formally independent, but under heavy political and economic influence or control by another country.

Question 6

Define proletarian.

Answer 6

Member of the proletarian; a working-class person whose contribution to the State is their labour.

Question 7

Define bourgeoisie.

Answer 7

The capitalist class who, under a ‘free’ system, exploit the workers to make profits for themselves.

Question 8

Define legitimacy.

Answer 8

Rightful control, which means the acceptance of authority by the people under that authority.