COMMUNISM: THEORY & PRACTICE

EUROPE

Ukraine-Crimea Peninsula

Eastern Europe/Russia

Central Asia

KARL MARX German Philosopher -originated idea of communism- economic system where citizens own property together and everyone shares the wealth -hated capitalism = a few rich people and many poor people "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.”

KARL MARX Karl Marx studied law and philosophy, and was initially influenced by the works of G. W. F. Hegel. Marx rejected the idealism of Hegel and developed a more materialistic theory of history as science, ultimately predicting that the triumph of the working class was inevitable.G. W. F. Hegel With his collaborator Friedrich Engels, MARX PUBLISHED THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO IN 1848.Friedrich Engels His work greatly influenced modern socialism, and he is considered one of the founders of economic history and sociology , German

REVOLUTION

Russian revoluition

COMMUNISM

Marx's theories were put into action in Russia by revolutionary V.I. Lenin...V.I. Lenin Marx is no relation to the comedian Groucho Marx. Groucho Marx

UNDER SOVIET RULE Adopted Communism Set Up a Command Economy -to force citizens to accept communism -took control of EVERYTHING -made ALL economic decisions

The exact implementation of Communism varied slightly from county to country, but followed the general thrust. Here are the 10 measures the proletariat will use to bring about the full realization of the communist utopian dream, once they have the political power: THE 10 MEASURES OF COMMUNISM 1.Abolition of private property in land (NO PRIVATE OWNERSHIP – GOVERNMENT OWNS ALL LAND, STORES, FACTORIES, ETC.). 2.A heavy progressive income tax (TAXES WEALTHY MORE THAN POOR).

3.Abolition of all rights of inheritance (WHEN YOUR SOMEONE DIES THEY DON’T CHOOSE WHO GETS MONEY & PROPERTY – THAT GOES TO THE GOVERNMENT). 4.Confiscation of property of emigrants and rebels (ANYONE WHO DIDN’T AGREE WITH THEM GOT WHAT THEY OWNED GIVEN TO THE GOVERNMENT). 5.Centralization of credit in the banks of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly (GOVERNMENT CONTROLS ALL THE MONEY, BUSINESS & TRADE).

6.Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the state (GOVERNMENT RUNS ALL MEDIA & TRANSPORTATION) 7.Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the state; The bringing into cultivation of waste lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan. (GOVERNMENTS SAYS WHAT TO MAKE AND HOW MUCH).

8.Equal obligation of all to work. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture (EVERYBODY HAS TO WORK, ESPECIALLY IN FACTORIES & FARMS). 9.Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; Gradual abolition of all the distinction between town and country by a more equable distribution of the populace over the country. (CITY & COUNTRY ARE EQUAL, POPULATION IS SPREAD OUT)

10.FREE EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. OUTLAW CHILD LABOR IN FACTORIES, IN ITS PRESENT FORM. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION WITH INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, ETC.

JOSEPH STALIN

Because communism is nearly opposite of all of the values Americans believe in (faith, hard work, prosperity, etc.) our country has always been opposed to communism. After WWII, the rise of power of the Soviet Union and China made Americans more fearful that their system would try to take over ours, and this fueled the Cold War even more.

Soviet military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1988

During the height of the Cold War Now

Why does Communism fail? Lacks creativity>>> Forced collectivization>>>>

5 YEAR PLANS Determined In Advance What to Make & How Much Workers Paid If They Met Quota Or Not Resulted In Shortages / Delays In All Sectors

PRODUCTION Focused On Defense & Industry -due to Cold War Produced Few Consumer Goods -shortages in food, clothing & housing -long lines A Disaster

Failures continued Lacks incentives>>

Failures continued Little/no rights>>> Human rights violations/mass murder in cases>>

COMMUNISM IN THE 20 TH CENTURY POL POT- CAMBODIA MAO-CHINA ESTIMATES OF MILLION KILLED IN COMMUNIST COUNTRIES

Economic failure Economy can’t grow and prosper on just Govt spending

FAILURES OF COMMUNISM POLITICAL REPRESSION LACK FREEDOM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPERIALISM SUPPORT TERRORISM ECONOMIC

AFTER THE SOVIET COLLAPSE Became a Democracy Changed to Market Economy (Capitalism ) Privatized Businesses -opened to foreign investments too

DIFFICULTIES Happened Overnight -no time to learn & adjust No Experience With Business/Economics Total Collapse of Economy in 1989