The SPREAD of COMMUNISM After 1900 [AP World History Review—Unit 8 Topic 4]

The Spread of Communism: A Historical Overview

The Rise of Communism in China

• The United States viewed the spread of Communism during the Cold War negatively, likening it to an unwelcome situation.

• China's transition from a 2,000-year dynastic rule to a republic began with the 1911 revolution led by Sun Yat-sen, but tensions arose against the Nationalist Party due to their ties with Western powers.

• A civil war erupted between the Chinese Communists and Nationalists starting in 1927, which was temporarily paused when Japan invaded northern China in 1931.

• After World War II, the Communist Party emerged victorious with Soviet support, leading Mao Zedong to proclaim the People's Republic of China in 1949.

• Mao's policies included nationalizing industry and collectivizing agriculture; unlike Stalin's approach in Russia, this process was relatively peaceful due to trust built during the Civil War.

Economic Policies and Consequences

• Mao implemented the Great Leap Forward aimed at rapid industrialization through heavy industry development but faced significant challenges.

• Unlike Stalin’s focus on urban areas, Mao emphasized small-scale rural industrialization; however, this resulted in poor-quality goods and severe famine affecting millions.

• During this famine, Mao refused foreign aid and continued grain exports despite widespread starvation among his people.

Global Spread of Communism: Case Studies

Egypt's Nationalization Efforts

• In Africa, particularly Egypt, British and French control over the Suez Canal (completed in 1869) was crucial for European economic interests.

• Gamal Abdel Nasser led a movement for Egyptian independence in 1952 but angered Western powers by nationalizing the Suez Canal amidst socialist reforms.

• This act prompted military retaliation from Britain, France, and Israel; however, U.S. President Eisenhower pressured them into withdrawal after Soviet threats.

Vietnam's Path to Communism

• Following World War II and Japan's defeat, Vietnam declared independence from both Japan and France; two rival governments emerged—communist in the north and anti-communist in the south.

The Rise of Communism in Cuba and Its Impact on U.S. Relations

Fidel Castro's Revolution

• In 1956, Fidel Castro led a revolution in Cuba that established it as a communist state, aiming to eliminate Cuba's economic dependence on the United States.

• One of Castro's primary goals was to purge Cuba of subservience to U.S. control, which had dominated its economy for decades.

Economic Reforms Under Castro

• With support from the Soviet Union, Castro initiated land distribution programs and raised wages, redistributing approximately 15% of Cuba's wealth from the rich to the poor.

• Castro nationalized significant portions of land owned by U.S. corporations that had previously exploited Cuba’s resources for their own gain.

• This situation mirrored other instances of nationalization, such as NASA's involvement with the Suez Canal, highlighting tensions between national interests and foreign exploitation.

U.S. Response to Cuban Nationalization

• The actions taken by Castro against U.S. corporate interests prompted a defensive response from the United States, indicating rising tensions during this period.