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The Spread of Communism After 1900

Driving Question: What factors led to China’s adoption of communism, and how did this transformation impact China and the world?

This lesson follows the rise of communism in China and Latin America from the aftermath of World War II through the Chinese Communist Revolution led by Mao Zedong. It highlights the struggle between nationalist and communist factions, the relationship between different socialist movements, the impact of communist policies on China and Latin America, and the challenges and achievements of these policies.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the causes and consequences of China’s adoption of communism.
  2. Explain the causes and effects of movements to redistribute economic resources.
  3. Use quick-sourcing skills to evaluate the causes and consequences of the spread of communist states.

Vocab Terms:

  • class war
  • communes
  • containment
  • imperial
  • redistribution
  • socialist
STEP 1

Opener: The Spread of Communism After 1900

STEP 2

The Spread of Communism

Following the Russian Revolution, industrialized Europe managed to contain the spread of communism, but this ideology proved more popular in agrarian societies around the world. China and Latin America offer two contrasting stories of the global spread of communism during the interwar period.

STEP 3

Chinese Communist Revolution

The Chinese Communist Revolution was a transformational event in both Chinese history and the global history of revolutions—explore why in this video.

Chinese Communist Revolution External link

The Chinese Communist Revolution drew on earlier world revolutions, but in many ways, it went further. It’s an important case study in any global history of revolutions.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 4

Source Collection: Communism

Communism resulted in many upheavals around the world in the twentieth century. Using primary sources, you will analyze the causes and consequences associated with these upheavals. We recommend using the Quick-Sourcing Tool to help you analyze these sources.

STEP 5

Closer: The Spread of Communism After 1900

Extension Materials
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Go deeper into the details of the Chinese Communist Revolution with this additional article.  
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Chinese Communist Revolution

Although China was never fully colonized, its communist revolution was as much anti-imperialist as it was pro-communist.