Understanding Communism Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

Germany became a dictatorship after ceasing to be a democratic country.

True

What was forced upon Germany by the Weimar Republic after World War I?

The Treaty of Versailles

What percentage of the German population did the Jewish people account for during Hitler's regime?

  • 20%
  • 1% (correct)
  • 10%
  • 5%
  • What book did Hitler write while in prison that outlined his fascist beliefs?

    <p>Mein Kampf</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the main techniques used by Hitler to ensure the support of the German people?

    <p>Propaganda</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Kristallnacht known as?

    <p>The Night of the Broken Glass</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following techniques of dictatorships:

    <p>Censoring the media = Controlling information Glorifying the leader = Creating a cult of personality Finding a scapegoat = Blaming a specific group for problems Using intimidation = Creating a climate of fear</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key idea of communist ideology?

    <p>Collective ownership of the means of production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the government play in communist ideology?

    <p>The government is responsible for the well-being of individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'subsistence agriculture' mean?

    <p>Farming only what is needed to survive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant outcome of the Russian Revolution?

    <p>Establishment of the first communist country</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following were key ideas of Leninism?

    <p>Belief in a necessary communist government</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the purpose of the Red Terror?

    <p>To eliminate rivals and suppress opposition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ideology promotes the notion of 'survival of the fittest'?

    <p>Social Darwinism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'Holodomor' refer to?

    <p>A famine in Ukraine as a result of Stalin's policies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The events of __________ increased the popularity of socialism in Russia.

    <p>the first Russian Revolution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Stalinism embraced liberal values and multi-party democracy.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a key political idea of fascism?

    <p>Cult of the leader</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Understanding Communism

    • Emphasizes collective well-being over individual rights, with government as the primary protector of individual welfare.
    • Foundational values include collective ownership of production means, abolition of private property, and economic equality.
    • Revolutionary change is prioritized over gradual reforms, distinguishing it from democratic socialism.

    Key Political Ideas of Communist Theory

    • Revolution led by workers to overthrow wealthy landlords and business owners.
    • State governance by the Communist Party for the people's interest, aiming for reduced hierarchy and enhanced representation.

    Key Economic Ideas of Communist Theory

    • Collective ownership of resources, land, and capital; private property is abolished.
    • Attempts to equalize incomes among all citizens.

    Key Social Ideas of Communist Theory

    • Aim to create a classless society with gender equality.
    • Promotes cooperation over competition within societal structures.

    Difference between 20th Century Communism and Marxist Ideology

    • 20th-century implementations, notably in Russia, involved substantial state control, contradicting Marx’s vision of a stateless society.
    • The Soviet Union emerged as a communist entity from the early 1900s until the 1990s, uniting various republics under a common government.

    Russian Revolution and the Origins of Soviet Communism

    • 1800s Russia, under czar rule, lagged in industrialization and lacked basic rights recognized in other liberal nations.
    • Czar Alexander II initiated reforms in 1861, which were insufficient to satisfy revolutionary elements.
    • Assassination of Alexander II in 1881 led to a rollback of reforms under Czar Alexander III.

    Rise of Socialism in Russia

    • Late industrialization led to rapid social change, creating stark inequalities between rich and poor.
    • Inspired by Marxism, the working class grew increasingly discontent, leading to the pivotal events of Bloody Sunday in 1905.

    Origins of the Socialist Democratic Labour Party (SDLP)

    • Formed in 1898 by Marxists, including Lenin and Trotsky, but quickly banned by the czar.
    • Members remained active through underground movements.

    First Russian Revolution

    • Events of 1905 set the stage for the 1917 Revolution and the eventual establishment of a communist government.

    Understandings of Leninism

    • Lenin criticized the ineffective temporary government post-Nicholas II's abdication and pushed for communist ideals.
    • Key slogans like "Peace! Land! Bread!" resonated with the public's demands, enhancing Bolshevik support.

    Second Russian Revolution

    • Massive protests led to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II, resulting in the rise of the Bolsheviks and eventual murder of the royal family.

    Russian Civil War (1918-1921)

    • Conflict between the Bolshevik Red Army and the anti-Bolshevik White Army, supported by foreign nations fearing communism.

    Red Terror Campaign

    • Following an assassination attempt on Lenin in 1918, a violent campaign ensued to eliminate opposition through torture and execution.

    Positive Changes Under Lenin’s Governance

    • Redistribution of land and workplace autonomy for workers; promotion of artistic freedom.
    • Empowerment of the poor and working class compared to czarist rule.

    Stalinism

    • Transition to Stalin’s leadership post-Lenin prompted an era marked by controversy, power struggles, and purges of rivals.
    • Stalin utilized oppressive measures to maintain control, diverging significantly from earlier communist principles.

    Policies of Stalinism

    • Established a Gulag system for dissenters, employed secret police, executed political purges, and pursued rapid industrialization and collectivization.

    Holodomor: Famine in Ukraine

    • Affected by drought and aggressive policies of collectivization, leading to famine and the deaths of millions in Ukraine, recognized as a genocide.

    Perestroika: Political and Economic Restructuring

    • Under Mikhail Gorbachev, perestroika aimed at transitioning to a market economy and depicted a move towards liberalization in the mid-1980s.

    Key Political Ideas of Fascism

    • Emphasizes extreme nationalism, leader worship, and the glorification of military power.

    Key Economic Ideas of Fascism

    • Advocates for government-directed economies prioritizing state interests, often opposing labor rights.

    Key Social Ideas of Fascism

    • Compromises individual rights, promotes racial superiority and national strength over social equality.

    Nature of Fascism

    • Emerged post-World War I as a response to perceived failures of liberal democracy, particularly in Germany and Italy.
    • Fascists rejected liberal values while combining elements of nationalism and militarism.

    Social Darwinism Influence

    • A belief in natural hierarchies justified social inequalities, asserting that societies should favor the reproduction of 'superior' traits.

    Hitler and the Rise of Nazism

    • Hitler’s political ascent began in the 1920s, leveraging legal means after an initial failed coup.
    • Blamed various groups for Germany's issues to rally support, culminating in his rise to Chancellor and the enforcement of a dictatorship through fear and propaganda.

    The Treaty of Versailles Aftermath

    • Germany's punitive treaty terms post-World War I fostered resentment and contributed to the rise of extremism.

    Mein Kampf's Ideological Impact

    • Hitler's autobiography laid the groundwork for Nazi ideology, emphasizing anti-Semitism and Aryan supremacy.

    Hitler’s Dictatorship Techniques

    • Utilized propaganda, youth indoctrination, and violent repression to consolidate power and eliminate dissent, eschewing liberal democratic values.### Rise of Nazi Persecution
    • Hitler implemented a fascist regime that stripped rights and freedoms from those not fitting his ideal societal vision.
    • The Nazis targeted various groups, notably the Jewish population, Roma, people with disabilities, homosexuals, and political dissenters, including communists and feminists.

    Jewish Targeting as Scapegoats

    • Despite comprising less than 1% of the German population, Jewish people were blamed by Hitler for Germany's issues.
    • The Nuremberg Laws of 1935 were established to define Jewish identity and uphold "Aryan" purity.

    Kristallnacht

    • On November 9-10, 1938, Kristallnacht (Night of the Broken Glass) marked a significant escalation in anti-Jewish violence.
    • Triggered by the assassination of a Nazi official by a Jewish youth, riots led to vandalism of Jewish properties.
    • Approximately 91 Jews died, and around 30,000 were arrested and sent to concentration camps.

    The Holocaust

    • The systematic internment and extermination of over six million Jews occurred during the Holocaust as a result of Nazi policies.
    • Other targeted groups included Polish people, Soviet POWs, Jehovah's Witnesses, and anyone opposing Nazi ideology.
    • Estimates suggest a total of over 14 million individuals were killed under Hitler’s regime.

    Technological and Social Techniques of Control

    • The regime censored media and controlled artistic expression to manipulate public perception and participation.
    • Hitler’s glorification of leadership and achievements was a key tactic to maintain support.
    • Educational curriculum was altered to glorify the nation and Hitler himself, creating a foundational narrative favorable to the regime.
    • The identification of scapegoats served to redirect public discontent away from the government.
    • Large rallies and powerful speeches were critical in promoting accepted values and regime ideology among the youth.
    • Propaganda, indoctrination, and terror were systematically employed to suppress opposition and dissent.
    • Utilization of military and police force established a fearful environment to ensure compliance.
    • Dissenters faced imprisonment or exile, and political opposition was eliminated, consolidating power within a single ruling party.
    • Elections were manipulated to restrict choice, denying any true voting alternatives to the populace.

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    Explore the fundamental concepts of communism with these flashcards. This resource highlights key elements such as collective ownership and the role of government in individual well-being. Perfect for anyone studying political ideologies or preparing for exams.

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