Introduction to Communism

Economic Systems

Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

Objectives

• Know what is communism and its basic history.

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• Begin to think about ways that our study about Russia can help us understand the world around us.

Why else to study Russia?

communism

power

authority

policies

me

Soviet Union

Making connections

What, if any problem (s) do you see in this picture? �What might happen as a result of this scene? �What might have led to this scenario? �How might they solve this?

What, if any problem (s) do you see in this picture? �What might happen as a result of this scene? �What might have led to this scenario? �How might they solve this?

• This is a picture of the Velvet Revolution from 1989 when the people of Czechoslovakia overthrew the communist government that ruled over them since 1948.

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• What gave people the power (the ability) and authority (the right) to cause this change?

Communism

• Communism is theory that says the government should own all farms and factories for the benefit of all the citizens (public ownership).

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• Everyone should share the work equally and receive an equal share of the rewards.

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• In this theory, no one can own private property.

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History of Communism

Karl Marx (1818-1883)

• Philosopher and economist
• “Father” of Communism
• Called for a working-class revolt against capitalism

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• What was happening in 1800s where workers were being exploited?

• Reaction to Industrial Revolution

What is communism? Video

Spread of Communism

• Communism spread, starting in 1920 in the Soviet Union, to many countries.

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Communism Today

• There are few communist countries left: North Korea, China, Laos, Vietnam and Cuba

Communism in Reality

• The theory did not work.

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• Countries with communism usually ended up with leaders who abused their power.

Josef Stalin, USSR

Mao Zedong, China

Kim Jong un, North Korea

Some Questions You May be Wondering:

• How did communism rise in the Soviet Union?

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• Why there? Why did it rise in some places and not in others?

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• What appealed (or appeals) to people about communism when, today, it seems to be a flawed theory?

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• How did it influence people’s lives, really?

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• Why did people in some countries succeed in removing the communist government from power (ex: Czechoslovakia), but others did not (ex: China, North Korea)?

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• What is in the future?

In this case study:

We will learn about Russia and the rise and fall of communism to:

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• Know the difference between power and authority and explain where power and authority may come from.

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• Examine how various policies may influence people’s live and change the relationship between governments and their citizens.

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• Begin to explore major economic systems (capitalism, socialis, and capitalism).

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• Make connections. Apply what we learn to understand the world around us.

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