Communism and Socialism

Communism and Socialism are two ideologies that have changed societies and revolutionized economies.

Communists and Socialists began with the idea of societies in which everyone is equal.

German economist, Karl Marx condemned capitalism for robbing workers of skills and independence.

Marx believed in collective ownership of production to alleviate profit driven companies.

Communist system supported classless or egalitarian society where everyone works to their ability and receives according to need.

Communism became associated with Marxist revolutionaries while socialists came to represent a belief in gradual progression to egalitarian society.

In 1017, the Czar of Russia was overthrown. A Marxist revolutionary, Vladamir Ilyich Lenin and the Bolshevik party came to power creating the first communist government.

In 1928, Joseph Stalin came to power in the new Soviet Union and rid the Russian country of private ownership.

Stalin began a program of terror known as the Great Purge. His secret police arrested millions of people and a totalitarian regime emerged.

In 1947 American president Truman announced the Truman Doctrine which was designed to contain communism.

Vocabulary: Utopia- Ideal commonwealth where citizen live in perfect conditions Capitalism- Free market economy Communism- economic theory of collective ownership of property and organization of labor for common advantage. Socialism-economic theory of social organization where production and distribution of goods is collectively owned and distributed equally. The government often plans and controls this type of economy. Bourgeoisie- middle class of society Proletariat- labor class of society Egalitarian society-classless society, work according to ability, receive according to need