Global Communism

8.4 Spread of Communism after 1900

Spread of Communism after WWII

Communism in China

• Communist Victory:

  • Led by Mao Zedong.

  • Received substantial support from peasants due to:

  • Opening schools and hospitals

  • Redistributing land

  • Punishing corrupt/abusive military members

  • Key Event:

  • In 1949, Communists defeated the nationalists and established the People’s Republic of China.

  • Post Victory Policies:

  • Nationalized Chinese industries

  • Created Soviet-style Five-Year Plans emphasizing heavy industry over consumer goods.

Great Leap Forward (1958)

• Policy Details:

  • Implemented a land reform where peasant lands were organized into communes.

  • State held land instead of private ownership.

  • Protesters were sent to reeducation camps.

  • Consequences:

  • Failing harvests led to severe food shortages.

  • Despite shortages, grain was still sent to Cuba and Africa to maintain a facade of success.

  • Result:

  • Approximately 20 million Chinese perished from starvation before the plan was abandoned in 1960.

Civil War Context

• The Communists and Nationalists struggled for control since 1931, briefly shifting focus to Japan during WWII before their civil war reignited post-war.

Cultural Revolution

• Objective:

  • Mao sought to revitalize a commitment to communism and consolidate his power following criticisms from the Great Leap Forward.

• Red Guards:

  • Revolutionary students encouraged to seize officials and educators, sending them to reeducation camps if dissenting.

  • Tasks included hard physical labor and forced admissions of insufficient revolutionary commitment.

Sino-Soviet Relations

• Despite shared communist ideologies, hostile relations existed between the USSR and China.

  • Post-1961, the nations clashed along their border and competed for global influence.

  • Example: Albania left the Warsaw Pact to align with China, obtaining greater autonomy and support.

Post-WWII China

• Historical Context:

  • After Japan's surrender in WWII, internal power struggles continued within China.

• Global Context of Cold War:

  • The U.S. supported the Nationalist Party (Chiang Kai-shek), while the Soviet Unions backed Mao Zedong’s Communist Party.

• Resources and Strategy:

  • Chiang received more military and monetary support but mismanaged resources, leading to public discontent.

  • Mao's policies focused on land redistribution and equality, garnering the backing of its extensive peasantry.

• Outcome:

  • In 1949, the Chinese Communist Party emerged victorious, prompting the Nationalists to retreat to Taiwan.

  • China transformed into an authoritarian regime under the Communist Party.

Economic Policies under Mao

• China turned to Soviet models for development, implementing Five-Year Plans focused on rapid industrialization.

• Mao soon sensed an ideological drift from the Soviets and distanced himself from Soviet influences in the 1960s/1970s.

Great Leap Forward Consequences

• This initiative forced small-scale industrialization emphasizing peasant production.

• Coordinates with significant food exportation to the USSR, exacerbating local shortages and leading to massive starvation.

• Liberal groups such as educators and scientists were scapegoated during this hardship, resulting in severe enough oppression to decimate intellectual contributions.

Cultural Revolution Consequence

• Mao’s efforts to reimpose revolutionary fervor included purging intelligentsia and fanning anti-traditional sentiment among youth.

• Propaganda campaigns proliferated, reinforcing Mao's ideological prominence as public dissent was harshly suppressed.

Deng Xiaoping Era (1978-1989)

• Following Mao’s death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping emerged as a leader amid economic turmoil.

• Shift in Policy:

  • Deng favored a mixed economy approach, promoting hybrid socialism over purist communism.

• Key Reforms:

  • Privatization of agriculture resulting in heightened production incentives.

  • Focus on developing manufacturing and exporting goods, harnessing a global economic framework in a largely single-party state.

Economic Growth Metrics

• GDP Growth:

  • Between 1952 and 2005, China's GDP exhibited growth from 67.9 billion in 1952 to 18232.1 billion in 2005.

  • Analyses should take into account major events such as the Korean War, Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution, and entry into the WTO, among others.

Tiananmen Square Protest (1989)

• Mass protests emerged in Beijing, primarily composed of students advocating for democratic reforms.

• As the protests escalated towards a million participants, Deng perceived them as a threat, resulting in a lethal military crackdown.

• The act drew global outrage, showcasing the unyielding authoritarian nature of the Communist regime.

Land Reform in Latin America

• Venezuela:

  • Government redistributed 5 million acres, comprising both state and previously privately held land.

  • The reform faced backlash from landowners while benefiting poor farmers and laborers.

• Guatemala:

  • Under President Jacob Arbenz, land reforms were initiated, threatening American business interests (notably United Fruit Company).

  • Resulted in a U.S.-supported coup in 1954 to remove Arbenz, illustrating Cold War dynamics.

Land Reform in Asia and Africa

• Vietnam:

  • During WWII, Japan occupied Vietnam but post-war independence efforts raised revolutionary sentiments.

  • The Communists aimed to redistribute land to peasants, acquiring vast public support.

• Ethiopia:

  • Amidst initial economic benefits under Haile Selassie, land reform failed, leading to Mengistu Haile Mariam's ascent and Soviet support.

• India:

  • Gandhi spearheaded independence movements, leading to mixed outcomes in land redistribution post-1947.

  • Kerala saw significant advances in land rights which were curtailed by national governmental pushback under capitalist pressures.

Conclusion

• S.A.Q. Practice:

  • For assessment and discussion: Explore causes behind the adoption of communism and land reform across Asia, Latin America, and Africa.