Strand 2: Marxism-Leninism

Question 1

What are the views of Marxism-Leninism?

Answer 1

Vladimir Ilyich (1874-1924) - leader of Bolshevik Party before Russian Revolution

• Refine Marx’s ideas of arise of communism
• Unacceptable implication that less developed countries would have to endure decades of capitalism
• Accelerated revolutionary socialism
• Revolution could prevent sympathy for captialist values

Question 2

How would revolution take place?

Answer 2

1. Plot/plan overthrow of existing regime
2. Incite/organise revolution
3. Educated masses on socialism
4. Form new organisation - The Communist Party = democratic centralism

Question 3

Who was Stalin?

Answer 3

• Directed Soviet Union in 30 years after Lenin’s death
• Constructed one of most brutal + totalitarian regime, collectivised agriculture, 5 year plan for development
• Promoted “socialism in one country”

Question 4

Who was Mao Tse-tung?

Answer 4

• China’s socialist state
• Refined Trotsky’s “permanent revolution”
• Campaign of persecution against traditional Chinese culture thought to legitimise inequalities - religion, respect to elderly, subordiation of women

Question 5

What were the views of Rosa Luxemburg (1871-1919)?

Answer 5

• Wrote newspaper “The Red Flag” = raise awareness of exploitation under capitalism
• Reform of Revolution (1900) - accepted Marx’s argument of exploitation but rejected Lenin’s view on revolution - believe it would arise ospontaneously after class consciousness

• New democracy = underpinned by common ownership + open debate/elections
• Socialist revolution revolt against capitalism
• Established German Communist Party after Great War
• Critic of both Leninism + social democracy = defened Marxist conception of history driven by dialectical materialism
• Inevitability of triumph of revolution/capacity of masses