Communism (LJ 1 - Topic JFK)

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• mavo
• Leerjaar 1

USSR, Cold War, the Iron Curtain, communism

SOVIET UNION

The Soviet Union (also called USSR) was a very big country that existed from 1922 to 1991. It was the biggest country in the world and had 15 smaller countries inside it, including Russia (the biggest and most powerful), Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. It was one of the two sides in the COLD WAR.

What do you think the COLD WAR was?

Cold War

The Cold War (1947 - 1991) was a period when the USA and western Europe were enemies of the Soviet Union.
Although they had nuclear bombs they didn't fight each other with weapons.
The Soviet Union build an IRON CURTAIN between the east and west. No one could leave and no one could enter.
The only way to know what was going on in the east, was to send in spies.

Translate IRON CURTAIN into Dutch:

1. ijzeren hekwerk
2. ijzeren gordijn
3. ijzeren man
4. ijzeren long

Iron Curtain

The Iron Curtain was like a wall that divided the world  into east (Soviet Union) and west (USA and western Europe).
The countries in the east supported the idea of COMMUNISM.
The countries in the west supported the idea of CAPITALISM.
Countries with CAPITALISM were very worried that other countries would also adopt the ideas of COMMUNISM and influence their politics.

What do you think COMMUNISM was?
Do you know what CAPITALISM is?

COMMUNISM: There are no rich or poor people. The state owns all factories, farms and businesses. The leader of the country is chosen by a small group of people.

CAPITALISM: There are rich and  poor people. People can own businesses and make as much money as they want.
The leader of the country is chosen by the people.

In COMMUNIST countries you could buy a big house and drive
a Rolls Royce.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

THE SPREAD OF COMMUNISM

The influence of the Soviet Union started to grow and several countries in Africa, Asia, and South America became communist.
It was especially interesting for poorer countries who could get help and money from the Soviet Union, the biggest country on earth.

The USA felt threatened by communism, especially when it reached Cuba a small island just 77 kilometres from Florida. The leader of Cuba, a man named Fidel Castro, hated the USA and capitalism.

How communism spread to other parths of the world

THE END OF COMMUNISM?

The Soviet Union fell apart  in 1991. Most of the communist countries including Russia, stopped with the politics of communism.
Today there are still 5 countries that call themselves communist: China, Laos, Vietnam, and North Korea in Asia and Cuba in South America.

NEW FORMS OF COMMUNISM?

In China, Laos and Vietnam communism is very different nowadays. You are allowed to have a business and make money. A lot of things we use, like mobile phones or clothes are made in Chinese or Vietnamese factories, that are not owned by the state.

In North Korea and Cuba things haven't changed. The state owns all businesses and factories. In all 5 communist countries you still can't vote for a new president, that remains the same as it was.

Do you understand
the term COMMUNISM better?

😒🙁😐🙂😃