Why were there so many civil wars in the 20 th Century? Possible Answer

Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution helped accelerate population growth by developing new medicines and medical devices. Increasing populations meant greater numbers of peasants without land. The Industrial Revolution was controlled by the capitalists. It used the principle of mass production in the factories. The factories employed workers at low wages, demanded long hours in unsafe conditions, and created job insecurity. Workers were also at the mercy of the business cycle. Wealth gaps developed that fueled interest in social/economic justice.

Possible answer continued… Governments were controlled by autocrats (monarchies)/landed aristocracy/church who owned large tracts of land and held to feudal relationships. In the liberal democracies governments were influenced by the bourgeoisie who had control of the new industrial wealth. Mass production required new markets, raw materials and investment opportunities. This brought wars of imperialism in which loss of life and suffering was considerable.

Possible answer continued… Because of the abuses of the Industrial Revolution and its association with capitalism, Communism became popular with radicals who wanted to change the entire structure of society. Communism was intended to address the abuses of industrialization by dismantling the entire structure of society. This meant the destruction of the conservative forces which included the family, church, bourgeoisie, monarchy and the military to name a few. They promoted the ideas of equality of wealth, worldwide dictatorship of the proletariat, and an end to wars of imperialism. Some of the communists did want to create a better world. Many however wanted to personally profit from this radical change where less business-oriented occupations would be rewarded.

Continued…. The civil wars of the 20 th century involved the violent struggle within various countries on which ideology to adopt..the radicalism of Communism or the moderation of socialism which called for retaining some private property and incentives. Socialism however called for government regulation and involvement in the economy to remedy some of the worst abuses of capitalism.

Continued…. The civil wars in the 20 th century included the Russian Civil War, the Spanish Civil War, Fascist Revolution in Italy, Nazi Revolution in Germany, the Chinese Civil War, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In the Russian Civil War communism prevailed. Lenin and the Bolsheviks were promising “bread, land and peace.” This was an appeal to the many landless peasants who made up the vast majority of people in Russia. Upon taking power the Bolsheviks nationalized all property, cancelled foreign debts, dropped out of World War I and inflated the currency, all with disastrous results.

Continued…. In the Spanish Civil War, Fascist Revolution and the Nazi Revolution, Socialism prevailed. Italy touted syndicalism and corporativism to tame capitalism. Spain followed a similar program. Mussolini’s slogan was “land, grain and births,” an attempt to appeal to the peasants. Hitler expanded Socialism in Germany by regulating the cartels and creating the labor front.

Continued…. After WWII, Communism prevailed in China in part due to the devastation of WWII. Also Chiang’s perceived self-interest benefitted Mao and the Communists. The Chinese Communist program was similar to the Soviets. Both the Korean War and Vietnam wars were struggles over what ideology to adopt..Communism or Socialism.