The Spread of Communism During the Cold War 📚

Introduction

• Communism seen negatively by the US during the Cold War.
• Despite US opposition, Communism spread globally.

Communism in China

End of Dynastic Rule

• 1911: Revolution led by Sun Yat-sen ended 2000-year dynastic rule in China.
• China established as a republic.

Rise of the Communist Party

• 1920s: Internal tension against Nationalist Party over Western dependence.
• Emergence of Chinese Communist Party led by Mao Zedong.

Conflict and Civil War

• 1927: Conflict between Communists and Nationalists began.
• 1931: Japan invaded northern China.
• 1935: Communists and Nationalists united temporarily against Japan.
• Post-World War II: Civil War resumed.

Communist Victory

• 1949: Communists, aided by the Soviets, won the civil war.
• Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Economic and Agricultural Reforms

• Nationalized industry and redistributed land to peasants.
• Collectivization of agriculture was relatively peaceful compared to the Soviet Union.

The Great Leap Forward

• Mao aimed to rapidly industrialize China through heavy industry in rural areas.
• Strain with the Soviet Union over differences in Communist ideology.
• Program led to poor-quality industrial goods and a catastrophic famine.

Communism in Other Parts of the World

Egypt

• 1952: Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrew British control and declared Egypt independent.
• Nationalized the Suez Canal, angering Western powers.
• British, French, and Israeli forces invaded; the Soviet Union threatened nuclear strikes, and the US pressured the invaders to withdraw.

Vietnam

• Post-World War II: Vietnam declared independence from Japan and France.
• Emergence of two rival governments: communist North and anti-communist South.
• Land redistribution from wealthy landowners to peasants in the North.

Cuba

• 1956: Fidel Castro led a revolution establishing a communist state.
• Aimed to reduce US economic control over Cuba.
• Land distribution and wage increases; nationalized land owned by US corporations.
• US CIA's failed attempt to overthrow Castro led to stronger Soviet ties.

Conclusion

• Various regions adopted Communism through land reforms and redistribution of resources.
• Faced significant opposition from Western powers, especially the United States.