AP World History Strayer Chapter 21

Flashcards covering key concepts from Chapter 21 of Strayer's AP World History, focusing on communism, the Cold War, and significant events and figures.

What did communism promise and what did it actually deliver?

Communism promised equality and abundance for all but actually created uncertain economic life and a few privileged.

What two nations engaged in global rivalry during the Cold War?

The United States and the Soviet Union.

Who inspired the ideas of modern communism?

Karl Marx.

How did true communists believe their goals of reform were to be achieved?

Through revolution.

What is the difference between communism and socialism in Marxist theory?

Communism is the final stage of social equality without private property, while socialism is an intermediate stage on the way to this final goal.

By 1970, what portion of the world's population lived under communist regimes and what were the two largest communist countries?

About 1/3 of the world's population was under communist regimes, with the Soviet Union and China being the two largest.

What common ideology did different expressions of communism share in the 20th century?

They derived from European Marxism, minimized national loyalty, and aimed for a revolution of the lower classes and a worldwide socialist federation.

What was the purpose of the Comintern?

To control the policies and actions of the Soviet Communist Party in revolutions.

What was the communist equivalent of the NATO alliance?

The Warsaw Pact.

What revolution inspired the communist revolutions of the 20th century?

The Russian Revolution of 1917.

What were some social changes in Russia following the revolution?

Soldiers resented officials and deserted; factory workers seized factories; peasants redistributed land.

Who were the Bolsheviks and why were they able to gain power easily in Russia?

The Bolsheviks were a small socialist party that gained power due to the public's impatience and outrage against the Provisional Government.

What did the Bolsheviks promise the Russian people?

To end the war, provide land for peasants, allow workers to control factories, and assure self-determination for non-Russian nationalities.

What was the outcome immediately following the Bolshevik takeover in October 1917?

A three-year civil war ensued, where they fought various factions and ultimately signed a peace treaty with Germany.

What was Russia called after the civil war?

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

How did communism spread in Eastern Europe?

It was imposed from outside after WWII, as Stalin required friendly governments to prevent invasion threats.

What was the Chinese Communist Party's strategy for gaining popularity?

They focused on rural peasants, used guerrilla warfare, and implemented land reform experiments.

Name some opportunities gained by women in the Soviet Union and China under communist rule.

In the Soviet Union, women gained political equality and legal rights; in China, the Marriage Law of 1950 improved women's rights.

How did Japan's invasion of China during WWII help the CCP?

It weakened Guomindang control and increased support for the CCP.

What were the major economic differences between the Soviet Union and China in the development of communist economies?

China had a greater population but a smaller industrial base; Chinese literacy and infrastructure were less well developed.

What were the strengths of the communist world by the 1970s?

Territorial reach, military parity with the US, and Cuba's achievements in healthcare.

What were some failures of communist regimes that led to their downfall?

No more economic growth, declining availability of goods, and moral failures related to war crimes.

Who took over as head of the Soviet Union in the 1980s, and what reforms did he implement?

Mikhail Gorbachev implemented reforms such as perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness).