Communism Study Guide
Define these vocab terms:
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Communism- Political and economic system in which the government owns all businesses and wealth is divided
equally between citizens.
Proletariat- Working class or average people.
Karl Marx- Father of Communism: came up with Communism in 1848.
Vladimir Lenin- Fist Communist leader to institute Communism as a form of government.
Communist Manifesto- Pamphlet written by Marx and Engles that presented Communism and discussed the
problems with Capitalism.
Tsar Nicholas II- Leader of Russia until 1917 when Communists overthrew him.
Bolsheviks- Communist political party that took over the Russian government in 1917.
October Revolution- Revolution in Russia in 1917 in which Communists overthrew the Tsar resulting in the world’s
first Communist government.
Describe Marxism-Leninism.
Based in the theories of Marx and Lenin. Wants to get rid of the class system (Upper, Middle, and Lower classes.) and
eliminate religion. The government owns everything. There can only be one political party.
10. The only way for Communism to become a country’s government is:
Armed revolution
11. How many political parties are allowed under Marxism-Leninism?
1
12. Marx believed Communism originated from:
Hunter-gatherers
13. During the Russian Revolution, the two armies fighting were the:
Red army and White Army
14. In 1922 the Bolsheviks won the revolution, resulting in the creation of the:
Soviet Union
15. What does the hammer and sickle symbol represent?
Alliance between workers and peasants.
16. Describe the events of the Russian Revolution from the fall of the Tsar to the end of the civil war.
Originally the Tsar ruled Russia. But he was a bad leader. His actions along with WW1 lead to poverty, famine, and
political unrest. To avoid civil war, the tsar abdicated his throne and the Provisional Government took over. The
Provisional Government continued WW1 causing more political unrest. Lenin and the Bolsheviks then overthrew the
Provisional Government, causing civil war. The Red Army supported the Bolsheviks and the White Army supported
the tsar. The Red Army won resulting in Communist control of all Russia. Russia was re-named the Soviet Union.
17. List the ways Communism differs from Capitalism.
Capitalism
Private property allowed
Need warrant to confiscate property
Many banks
Privately owned Communication/transportation
Can own weapons
Privately owned factories
Many political parties
Communism
No private property
Can search/seize at will
1 central bank
State owned Communication/transportation
Cannot own weapons
State owned factories
single party system