Communism

Definition

Communism is a political and economic ideology that aims for a classless society in which all property is publicly owned, and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. The theory advocates for the abolition of private property, believing that capitalism leads to class struggle and inequality. The rise of communism during the 20th century shaped major events, influencing conflicts and political alignments, particularly through the lens of the Cold War and interactions between fascist powers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Communism emerged as a response to the industrial revolution and the social inequalities created by capitalism, promoting collective ownership of production.
2. The Spanish Civil War saw significant communist involvement, with the Soviet Union supporting the Republican side against fascist forces, which highlighted the ideological battle between communism and fascism.
3. Operation Barbarossa was not just a military invasion; it was also ideologically charged, as Nazi Germany sought to destroy communism by invading the Soviet Union.
4. The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact allowed both Germany and the Soviet Union to pursue their own agendas without immediate conflict, demonstrating a temporary coexistence of ideologies despite their fundamental opposition.
5. The division of Germany post-World War II led to a clear ideological divide between the communist East and capitalist West, setting the stage for tensions that defined the Cold War.

Review Questions

• How did communism influence the dynamics of the Spanish Civil War, particularly in relation to fascist powers?
  • Communism played a crucial role in shaping the Spanish Civil War by providing support to the Republican forces against Francisco Franco's Nationalists, who were backed by fascist powers like Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. The Soviet Union sent military aid, advisors, and even international brigades composed of communist volunteers to bolster the fight against fascism. This ideological clash not only intensified the civil conflict but also reflected larger struggles between communism and fascism across Europe.
• In what ways did Operation Barbarossa symbolize both a military strategy and an ideological battle against communism?
  • Operation Barbarossa was Germany's strategic invasion of the Soviet Union that aimed to capture vital resources and eliminate communism. This invasion was not only a significant military campaign but also represented Hitler's deep-seated ideology that saw communism as a major threat to Nazi beliefs. The brutality of this campaign reflected an effort to eradicate communist influence in Europe while simultaneously revealing the intense ideological divide between fascism and communism during World War II.
• Evaluate how the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact affected post-World War II geopolitical tensions and contributed to the origins of the Cold War.
  • The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact allowed both Germany and the Soviet Union to carve up Eastern Europe without conflict initially, leading to mutual benefits. However, this temporary agreement laid bare the underlying tensions between communism and fascism that would later explode into wider conflict. After World War II, as Germany was divided and Europe was restructured, the ideological divide became starkly apparent with Eastern Europe falling under communist influence while Western Europe leaned towards capitalism. This division solidified during the Cold War as countries chose sides based on these conflicting ideologies, resulting in decades of tension.

Related terms

Marxism: A theoretical framework developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that critiques capitalism and proposes a revolutionary path toward achieving a classless society through the establishment of a proletarian state.

Soviet Union: A socialist state that existed from 1922 to 1991, characterized by a one-party system led by the Communist Party, which sought to implement Marxist principles across its vast territory.

Cold War: A prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, along with their respective allies, following World War II, largely defined by ideological conflict between communism and capitalism.