2. Communism And The Russian Revolution

Question 1

The word communism comes from a French word _____ which meaning belonging to all.

Answer 1

Commun

Question 2

When did the ideas of communism develop fully?

Answer 2

During the industrial revolution

Question 3

Describe the Industrial Revolution.

Answer 3

When hundreds of thousands of people left the agricultural areas and moved to the towns to find work in new factories.
Their living and working conditions were bad and many lived in severe poverty.
A large gap in wealth developed between a small number of rich people and the majority who were poor.

Question 4

What economic system was the result of industrialization?

Answer 4

Capitalism

Question 5

By the ____ capitalism became the dominant economic system 8n Western Europe and North America.

Answer 5

1850’s

Question 6

What did philosophers and reformers speak out against?

Answer 6

Between those who had wealth and power and those who owned very little.

Question 7

What did these reformers suggest would be best for society?

Answer 7

It would be a fairer place if people shared common ownership of resources.

Question 8

Why did they think common ownership was the answer?

Answer 8

It would reduce the divisions in society and would lead to co-operation instead of competition and conflict.

Question 9

What was the Industrial Revolution?

Answer 9

Changes in society as a result of new industrial machinery which made production easier.

Question 10

What is socialism?

Answer 10

A system in which all classes have equal opportunities.

Question 11

What are the key features of communism?(5)

Answer 11

• Resources are owned by state on behalf of the people; no private ownership; all profits used for the benefit of society as a whole
• Greater equality and No class divisions by an unequal spread of wealth
• Government control of the economy, all decisions to be centrally planned by it
• Housing, medical services, the education system, and all social services provided free by the state
• Equality and the common good are valued more than individual freedom

Question 12

Who was Karl Marx?

Answer 12

He was a German philosopher who lived most of his life in exile in London.

Question 13

Why did Marx live in exile?

Answer 13

He wrote newspaper articles which authorities believed encouraged a revolution in Germany in 1848.

Question 14

What was Marx concerned about after the Industrial Revolution?

Answer 14

Social inequalities

Question 15

Marx believed a ____ system in which a few wealthy individuals exploited the mass of workers, was morally wrong, would lead to conflict and in the end would fail.

Answer 15

Capitalist

Question 16

What is Marxism?

Answer 16

The first form of communism, consisting of the strict application of Marx’s ideas.

Question 17

What Marxism based on?

Answer 17

On the belief that all human history was based on a struggle between those who had wealth and power, and those who were poor and powerless.

Question 18

In the Industrial Age in which he lived, he believed that this struggle was between the _____ and the _____.

Answer 18

Capitalists

Proletariat

Question 19

What was the proletariat?

Answer 19

Urban working class.

Question 20

What types of revolution did Marx believe needed to happen to bring about change?

Answer 20

An ARMED revolution.

Question 21

Once power is seized what would the working class need to do?(2)

Answer 21

• Establish a ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’ for a while to prevent old rulers from getting back into power.
• They would also need to nationalize factories,banks, land and communications systems in order to redistribute wealth.

Question 22

What is dictatorship of the proletariat ?

Answer 22

The control of government in an inflexible way, by the proletariat.

Question 23

What was Marx’s most famous book?

Answer 23

Das Kapital

Question 24

Marx’s ideas attracted a following of many ______ and Political _____ throughout Europe, including Russia.

Answer 24

Intellectuals

Activists

Question 25

Where did Marx believe that a proletariat revolution would take place?

Answer 25

It would happen in an industrialized country such as Germany or Britain, where there were many workers in the cities.

Question 26

Contrary to Marxism what type of country has the first communist revolution?

Answer 26

A country with little industry and where most people were peasant farmers in rural areas, RUSSIA.

Question 27

Summary of Karl Marx’s ideas:(9)

Answer 27

• fully industrialized society
• clash between classes
• armed revolution by working class
• dictatorship of the proletariat
• nationalization of resources to redistribute wealth
• socialist state
• no need for governments
• communist society