Communism Guided Notes

Multiple Choice

What similarities were there between Germany and Korea at the end of World War II?

• Germany and Korea were both neutral countries during the war.
• Both Germany and Korea were allies during the war.
• Germany and Korea were both under the control of the Soviet Union.
• Both Germany and Korea were divided after the war.

Multiple Choice

What were the two competing ideologies of the US and Soviet Union in the Cold War?

• Imperialism and Nationalism
• Democracy and Totalitarianism
• Socialism and Fascism
• Capitalism and Communism

Weren't the US and USSr allies?

You might be confused because you thought the Soviet Union (USSR) and the United States (U.S.) were allies during WWII. You would be correct! However, by the end of the war, both countries had become very powerful. The USSR was a communist country and had a power-hungry leader, Joseph Stalin. Remember that Stalin really only sided with the U.S. during WWII because he got in a fight with Hitler! The U.S. was afraid of what Stalin might do with his power, especially because so many countries in Europe were weak from the war. Would he conquer them and make them communist countries?

Multiple Choice

Why were the US and USSR allies during World War II?

• They were allies due to a common enemy in Nazi Germany.
• They were allies because of a historical alliance
• They were allies due to a shared ideology
• They were allies due to economic interests

So how did allies become enemies?

The United States and the USSR both had atomic weapons. Both countries had different ideas about governments. Their fear of each other led to the Cold War, a war based on proving which country was more powerful.

Multiple Choice

Why did the US and USSR become enemies?

• Collaboration on scientific research
• Different styles of government and competition for influence.

• Mutual economic benefits
• Friendly diplomatic relations

Communism

Communism is a type of economic system. An economic system is the way a country allows money to be spent and companies to make and sell products. In a communist economy, wealth (money) is spread around evenly. Each person has the same amount of money and importance. For example, a coal miner is paid the same amount that a doctor is paid.

Multiple Choice

What is the main idea of Communism?

• Communism encourages competition and capitalism
• Communism supports a hierarchical society with distinct social classes
• Communism promotes a society where wealth is spread equally.

• Communism promotes individual ownership of the means of production

​Keys of Communism

1. Everybody has equal wealth so there are no poor or rich people

2. People cannot own their own private property or business

3. One central bank for the entire country that the government controls

4. The more money you make, the higher taxes you have to pay

5. The government controls communication and transportation

6. The government controls all education

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a key idea of Communism

• Private ownership of property
• Equal distribution of wealth
• A single central bank

• Government control of communication

​Problems with Communism

1. The government ends up with most of the power because it is able to spread the wealth around. The leaders usually become power-hungry and controlling.

2. No matter how hard you work, the pay is the same for everyone. So, why work hard at all?

3. People have much less freedom because the government controls everything.

Multiple Choice

What is an issue with Communism?

• Lack of incentive for hard work and innovation
• Big differences in wealth between people.

• Encourages dictatorship
• Promotes hard work.