Download - Intro to Communism
Intro to Communism Terms: Bourgeoisie, Proletariat, Marx Marxs
View on Capitalism
Communism was a theory by Karl Marx as a way to organize society
fairly and value peoples labour. The Industrial Revolution reduced
peoples value to simply a part of the machinery of factory. No
creativity or attachment to work. Boring, repetitive tasks. Views
on Capitalism Marx saw that capitalism created classes in society.
Bourgeoisie are the owners of capital. Proletariat are the workers.
These two classes will continually be in conflict. Marxs View on
Capitalism
Bourgeoisie own all the capital (factories, tools etc) They also
get all the profits. They can reinvest the profits in the company
or remove it and pay themselves. They control the economy.
Socialism v. Capitalism
Usually 1 party state Industry and agriculture owned by the
state.People encouraged to work for the common good. Classless
society with no profit making Elections and more than one political
party. Most industry and agriculture owned by individuals. They
employ workers and keep all profits made. Profits create classes of
people. Marxs View on Capitalism
Proletariat These are the workers and get paid a wage. They get no
share in company profits. At the mercy of the Bourgeoisies. The
goal of the Bourgeoisie is to reduce the costs of production and
pay as little as possible to maximize profits. Term Dictatorship of
the Proletariat
A dictatorship of the proletariat will be created to organize the
country. They will ensure that the gains of the revolt is secured
from the capitalist. Most Communist regimes have only achieved
this. Person Vladimir Lenin Lenin was leader of the Communist
Bolshevik party. Aided by Germany because he wanted Russia to get
out of the war. Party increased from to 2 million Created a
military group called the red Guards November 1917 Lenin and the
Bolsheviks seize power in a revolution.
Lenin gives all land to the peasants Factories are given to the
workers who elect a committee to run them. Term: Dictatorship of
the Proletariat
Lenin sets up a Dictatorship of the Proletariat Kills all political
opponents including the tsar Education increased Religion banned in
schools, priests prosecuted Labour laws include 8 hour days, health
benefits, Holidays, pension mandatory Term: Truman Doctrine U.S.
President Harry Truman believed that is was the responsibility of
the U.S. to prevent the spread of Communism in the world. Change in
foreign policy from isolationism which was practiced throughout the
two world wars. UN Involvement Term: Domino Theory
Truman was afraid that if Korea fell to Communism than so would
Japan and other Capitalists countries. (Domino Theory). 16
countries supported the UN invasion of Korea including Canada.
Truman chose General Macarthur to lead the force. Marshall Plan
Truman believed Communism grew in countries in poverty.
Many governments were struggling to rebuild after the war. They
realised that if they built up Europe now, they could have a
trading partner for life and keep it from falling to communism.
Created by General George Marshall Marshall Plan The USA offered
money, equipment and goods to states willing to work together to
create recovery. Included cash machinery, food and technology. In
return, they would agree to buy American goods and allow American
to invest capital in their in their industries. Results 16 nations
set up the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation. In 1953
US gave 17 billion Increased tensions and divide between East and
West. Stalin prevented Soviet countries from engaging in the plan.
Results Stalin accused the USA of using the plan for their own
selfish interests Plan to dominate Europe and help the American
Economy. Berlin Blockade Term: Potsdam Potsdam Conference
Occupation zones decided.
Nazi party banned and were to be tried as war criminals. For
reparations each power was to collect industrial equipment from its
zone.USSR zone was mostly agriculture. Germans living in Poland,
Hungary, and Czechoslovakia were to return to Germany. Berlin
Blockade Political Divisions
After Potsdam Berlin was divided between West (allied controlled
and East USSR controlled. West was capitalist democracy and East
was Socialist. Berlin Blockade Reconstruction Differences
Allies wanted to rebuild Germany to be a strong country. Wouldnt
fall to Communism Create a trading partner Act as a shield against
the spread of communism in Europe Berlin Blockade Reconstruction
Differences
USSR wanted a weak Germany that would be incapable of an attack.
USSR refused to let their zone trade with the Western allied zone
(West Berlin) Berlin Blockade Conflict
Since Berlin was in Soviet zone, they controlled all access to
city. Believed the Allies had no business in Berlin since it was in
the Soviet zone. U.S put up a military base. Capitalist way of life
was on show as the U.S tried to make their zone better. Berlin
Blockade In protest, Stalin decided to restrict access to Berlin by
the Allies. Hoped to get the allies to pull out of Berlin by
starving the people. Abandon plans to develop Germany Eventually
the people would turn to him and switch to Communism and create one
city. Berlin Blockade Western Options
Ignore and drive through Blockade. Advantages: 1)Show the Russians
the U.S could not be blackmailed. 2)They were the only ones with an
A bomb. Disadvantages: 1)High risk of War 2)Russian forces
outnumbered U.S forces in Europe. Berlin Blockade Option 2: Pull
Out of Berlin
Advantages: 1) Avoid any risk of War Disadvantages: 1)Loss of
prestige (positive reputation) for the Western powers. 2) No one
trust the Americans in the future to stand against Communism.
Berlin Blockade Option 3: Supply West Berlin by Air
Advantages: 1)Less risk of War than option 1 Disadvantages: 1)
Risky Operation 4000 tons of supplies required daily. 2) Costly to
supply by two million people by air. Korean War Background 1945
after Truman dropped the bomb Japan surrendered to the allies.
Russia was fighting Japan on the Asian continent as well. Korea was
a colony of Japan. USSR invaded Korea in the North USA invaded from
the south. Background They meet at the 38th parallel (latitude) and
divide the country in two. United Nations In 1945 the UN is
formed.
Had a general assembly that met every year. A security council that
met more regularly on current issues. Security Council = Britain,
USA, USSR and elected representatives from other countries. U.N. UN
decided that Korea was to have elections to choose a national
government for the whole country and reunify. The US set up a
parliament in the South based on Capitalism with the capital in
Seoul. (Republic of Korea) The USSR set up a communist regime in
the North with the capital of Pyongyang (Peoples Democratic
Republic of Korea). The US and USSR withdraw troops but continue to
fund and supply the Korean Militaries.
1949 a civil war in Koreas Neighbour, China, results in the
formation of Communist government under Mao. Start of War 1950 Both
sides believed their government should rule the whole country. With
the encouragement of USSR and China, North Korea, under Kim Il
Sung, invaded the South. UN Involvement China was represented at
the UN by the former Capitalist regime. UN would not recognize the
Mao Communist government. USSR was absent from Security Council in
protest. Since USSR was not there to veto, a resolution was passed
saying the North broke peace and had to withdraw to the 38th
parallel again. North refused. UN called on its members to us force
and the US was to lead the attack. UN Involvement Truman was afraid
that if Korea fell to Communism than so would Japan and other
Capitalists countries. (Domino Theory). 16 countries supported the
UN invasion of Korea including Canada. Truman chose General
Macarthur to lead the force. Events of the War 1st phase June Sept.
North Korea pushes the South all the way back to a small corner of
the country called Pusan. 2nd phase Macarthur organised a landing
at Inchon.
Effectively surrounds N Korean troops. Despite Chinas warnings they
cross the 38th parallel. 3rd phase US ignore China and push all the
way to the Yalu River.
This borders with China. Macarthur ignored Trumans orders and began
to approach the Yalu. China enters the war. Pushes the force back
past the 38th parallel. Un counter Attack drives them back to the
38th parallel. Armistice signed in 1953. Cuban Missile Crisis
Person Fulgencio Batista
In 1950, Cuba was ruled by a ruthless dictator Fulgencio Batista.
He killed all opponents and used the military to support his rule.
Batista Government Capitalist government.
Military supported by the U.S He and members of his government were
very rich while the rest of Cubans were poor. Disliked Communists.
Batista Government The capital, Havana, was treated as a playground
for rich Americans. It was controlled by American Italian Mafia
Leader Lucky Luciano. Lucky set up a cocaine operation and ran
casinos. Batista Government Was also used to hide money from
illegal activities in the U.S. Many Americans set up factories in
Cuba to take advantage of local resources like sugar cane and
tobacco.Ex. Palmolive Colgate. This resulted in many rich Americans
and very poor citizens of Cuba Cuban Revolution Person: Fidel
Castro
Fidel Castro was a lawyer and was appalled at the corruption for
the Batista government. Received support through educating the poor
on the corruption of the government. He joined forces with Che
Guevara and organised an army which overthrew the Batista
government. Castro Regime Castros first business was to execute all
the corrupt government officials that abused the poor. Then he
nationalised all the foreign American assets. Wealth was to be
invested in Cuba. With this money he set up free health care. Term:
Bay of Pigs Invasion
Cuba has fell to Communism and Castro is allied with the USSR
because of the trade embargo. Kennedy could not have a communist
ally 50 miles off the coast of Florida. Many people who did not
agree with Castro and Communism fled the country and became exiles.
Bay of Pigs 1961 Kennedy decided to get the CIA to train the exiles
and plan an invasion of Cuba. Exiles taking country back sounds a
lot better than a US invasion. The invasion was a great failure and
Castro captured and jailed many of the exiles. Results of Bay of
Pigs 1961 Because of this Castro felt threatened and allied closure
with the USSR. He needed them for protection. Allowed Russia to
install military bases. Russia began shipping weapons into Cuba.
Cuban Missile Crisis Kennedys Options Cuban Missile Crisis Option 1
Do Nothing
He could do nothing and ignore the missiles. This would have been
political suicide and if the Russians had seen this as weakness on
his part, they could have taken advantage of it. Lose public
support and be seen as a weak president. Option 2 Invasion He could
order a full scale military invasion of Cuba. This would escalate
the problem as there were Soviet troops there. Heavy casualties
would look bad on the presidency. Did not know where all the sites
were or if any were operational and would be fired before they were
captured. Option 3 - Air Strike He could order an air strike
against the missile bases only. The problem again would be Russian
casualties. Air Force was not sure it could deliver pin-point
bombing raids on what were relatively small targets. Option 4 -
Diplomacy He could call on the Russians to remove the missiles
explaining the damage their presence was doing to Russian/American
relations. However, the Russians were highly unlikely to listen to
a polite request especially as they even refused to recognise the
existence of the missiles at the United Nations emergency meeting
on the matter. Option 5 - Blockade He could put a naval blockade
around the island - quarantine it - and not allow any more Russian
ships to enter Cuba. This would still leave missiles on Cuba but
the negotiations would continue in the background while publically
Kennedy would be seen to be doing something specific. Stalins USSR
Purges Stalin was always fearful of losing power.
Used terror in the form of Purges to get rid of any opposition.
This also helped with labour in mines Purges Managers and workers
that did not meet the five year plans or talked bad about them
Kulaks that opposed collectivisation 1934 Opposition party members
1935 senior communists that may support Other leaders (Trotsky)
Purges Ordinary citizens if someone suspected a neighbour of not
supporting the government they could be arrested. Children were
encouraged to tell on their parents. People tortured to confession
1 million people in Moscow killed Purges and Results 1937 the Red
Army Most senior officers and officials were killed or sent to
Gulags. Left the army unprepared against Hitlers invasion. Executed
= 1 million Died in Camps = 2 million In prison = 1 million Gulags
= 8 million These are figures form one year. Results Continued Most
of the advantages of Communism wasnullified after this. Expert
scientists, administrators and Engineers were usually sent to
Gulags or killed. People would tell on each other for self
interest. Stalin even killed members of his own family. The Later
Cold War Vietnam
Vietnam War Before the war France controlled Vietnam, Laos,
Cambodia
Called the area Indo-china People hated the oppressive French rule.
WW2 Japan invades Indo-China.
Group called the Vietminh was set up to resist the Japanese. Led by
Ho Chi Minh who was a communist. Allies worked with the Vietminh to
get rid of Japanese. WW2 Two weeks after the end of ww2 the French
turn on the Vietminh and tried to regain control. China and the
USSR help the Vietminh French are defeated 8 years later at Dien
Bien Phu and pull out of Northern Vietnam. 1954 Geneva Conference
Ended war in Vietnam
Independence granted to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia Vietnam divided
between Northern communist Vietminh and Southern Vietnam backed by
France and U.S. South ruled by unpopular dictator Diem who was
opposed by a communist group, the Vietcong Vietcong was supplied by
the USSR and China through the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Popular with the rural people and the force grew to 100,000 troops
occupying 40% of the land. Communism was on the verge of spreading
throughout South East Asia. Ho Chi Minh Trail 1964 North Vietnam
torpedoes US ships in the gulf of Tonkin.
President Johnson starts bombing the North and sends in US troops
to the South. Believes it will be a quick war. Timeline 1964
Operation Rolling thunder
Aims to destroy bases, ports and supply lines through bombing. More
bombs dropped here then in all previous wars combined. Troops fight
the Vietcong in the South. 1968 Tet offensive Vietcong conducts
surprise attacks on U.S bases. Shows the Vietcong can strike in
American held territory. Hurts American morale believe war cannot
be won. Johnson stops bombing and negotiates peace. 1969
Vietnamization Nixon hand over fighting to the South Vietnamese
army and pulls out troops. 1970 US invades Cambodia to sneak attack
North Vietnamese bases.Failed 1971 South Vietnam fails to destroy
Ho Chi Minh Trail 1972 North attacks the South, Nixon reorders
bombing of North. 1973 US agrees to ceasefire with the Two Vietnams
and Vietcong.
Pulls out remaining troops. North invades South Vietnam, Cambodia,
and Laos form Communist governments. Unpopular War 1. High level of
casualties 50.000 300 dying per week
2. economic cost of or half a billion a year in todays terms. 3.
Use of horrific weapons like Napalm and Agent Orange. 4. Stories of
drug addiction among US troops.
5. US atrocities My Lai US soldiers attack an undefended village
raping and killing 300 villagers, mainly women and children. 6.
Protests at Kent State University turns violent when Nixon calls in
National Guard and they shoot on protesters.4 Killed. Why was US
defeated? Failed to respond to guerilla warfare tactics by
Vietcong. US troops were inexperienced, low morale, avg age of 19.
The South army was weak. US failed to win support of peasants who
then helped Vietcong. US support lost at home. Why Was the Vietcong
Successful?
High morale, believed they were helping their people against
invaders. Effective guerilla tactics. Backed by China and the USSR
using Ho Chi Minh Trail. Hide bases underground away from bombing
(300 kms worth)