Question : Critically analyse the causes and results of the Chinese Revolution of 1949.
(2006)
Answer : The Chinese Communist revolution is a very important episode in the history of the world in the twentieth century. The Revolution of 1949 was shaped by interplay of variety of causes and left an abiding mark on the history of the world.
The Chinese revolution was the result of prevalent socio-economic and political conditions in China. Chinese economy was dominated by agriculture. Crafts were there but they were practiced with primitive and outdated techniques. Heavy revenue burdens were imposed on the Chinese peasants who groaned under the burden.
The social milieu of China was equally responsible for ushering in the revolution of 1949. The Chinese society was hierarchical and the upper classes and mandariers enjoyed higher standard of living. The common formulae were no bitter than newer of wood and drawers of water.
China moreover presented the picture of political disorganization. The warlords controlled a longer part of the country and the nationalist government which was established. The revolution of 1911 was confined to canton and surroundings. Moreover, the foreign powers had divided China into spheres of influence wreaking havoc on Chinese sovereignty. Also, China in wars with Japan in 1895 and with Russia had lost much of its territories.
Then, there was the dissatisfaction caused in China at its demands being slighted and overlooked by the Great powers to appease the Japanese. The Western powers shut their eyes to genuine demands of China and cared only to advance their own interests at the expense of those of Chinese people.
The Kuomintang government was established by Sunyat Sen in 1922. He wanted to build a modern, unified and prosperous China and forged cooperative alliance with the Communist party for the purpose.
But after the death of Sunyat Sen, when Chiang Kai Sheik took control, inefficiency and corruption cropped up in the KMT government. They had to offer little by way of reform and spent much time looking after the interests of industrialists, bankers, landowners and made no effective attempts to organize mass support.
Moreover, under the KMT government, there was little improvement in factory conditions. The condition of workers was pitiable and practices as child labour were widely prevalent. Chiang himself was not prepared to offend his industrial supporters by asking them to pay to the workers their rightful wages.
Further, there was no improvement in the peasant poverty which got compounded on account of series of droughts and bad harvests in the 1930s.
This caused widespread famines in rural areas, and the KMT government failed to come up with a land policy favouring the peasants.
Further, the KMT did not put effective resistance against the Japanese. When full scale war broke out with the Japanese, the KMT forces were quickly defeated and the Chiang’s army lost most of eastern China to the Japanese.
While the KMT was fast losing support, the communists gained strength. There were many reasons why people got attracted to the communist. Firstly, the communists tried to win popular support by their restrained land policy which varied according to the needs of particular areas.
On the other hand, the KMT administration was inefficient and corrupt, much of its American aid finding its way into the locket of officials. Its policy of paying for the wars by printing extra money resulted in galloping inflation which caused hardship for masses. Its armies were poorly paid and were allowed to loot the countryside.
The communists also resorted to propagating their ideas and not only won people to their ideas and not only won people to their side but also enlisted support of Chiang’s army. Moreover, the communists organized effective guerilla campaigns against the Japanese. They also freed many areas from the control of the warlords.
Finally, the communist leader Mao Zedong, Zhon Enlai was shrewd enough to take advantage of KMT weaknesses and were completely dedicated. The communist generals Lin Biao, Chu Teh and Ch-en Yi had prepared their armies carefully and were more competent tactically than their KMT counterparts.
The victory of the communist revolution of 1945 had several important consequences. Firstly, China was freed from the political disorganization and foreign control as a strong centralized government under communist party of China was set up by Mao Zedong and Zhon Enlai. The Chinese territories under the control of the warlords were set free and incorporated into Chinese republic.
The Revolution of 1949 moreover, put China on course of economic reorganization. The Chinese Communist Party tried to put back the economy on track. First land reform was introduced and new technologies made available to farmers to raise production. Later on communist were organized. Initially, Chinese communists took Russian help in taking China on course of modern industrialization and five year plans were adopted to develop China industrially.
The communist revolution also led to the adoption of a new constitution by China in 1954 which gave the ultimate control over the government to the communist party. The Chinese communist revolution of 1949 inspired the communists elsewhere and added to the strength of the newly independent nations. On the other hand, the Revolution led the United States of America to tighten the noose on the communist bloc to help prevent the spread of communism.
Question : Discuss the circumstances leading to the Chinese Revolution of 1949, and analyse its significance?
(2005)
Answer : The Chinese Revolution of 1949 was an important episode in the history of China.
The revolution carried by the Communist Party took place after long years of internal fighting with the Koumintang Party (KMT). The situation was also marked by foreign interference. As the most populated communist country, China and its communist revolution left an abiding mark in the contemporary world history.
The Chinese revolution of 1949 was shaped by certain socio-economic and political circumstances that existed in the first half of the twentieth century. Chinese society was marked by highly inequities structure. The society was characterized also by sharply defined hierarchical set-up. The Confucius ideals based on respect and hierarchy had considerable sway in the contemporary social thinking. The social structure as present in China offered little opportunities for mobility. Downward mobility was easy though-upward only after the group left the place and settled elsewhere. Chinese economy was marked by dominance of agriculture.
The agriculture was carried upon by primitive tools and techniques. The life of the peasantry was pitiable in the extreme. His produce supported the entire society. But he was burdened with heavy taxation and groaned under them. Besides agriculture, certain crafts also existed in China, but like agriculture, these again were practiced with primitive techniques. The modern industry had its beginning in the second half of the nineteenth century in China, but the condition of workers there was miserable. They had to work for long hours and were paid quite low wages. Moreover, they did not enjoy right of strike or forming unions.
China also underwent considerable economic exploitation at hands of Western countries. The colonial powers had divided China into spheres of influence. They had invested heavily in China and protected their investment.
They enjoyed counter-guarantee on their investment in China. Further, the Chinese emperor guaranteed their investment against any losses.
Also, China was undergoing a period of foreign interference, civil war and disintegration in the nineteenth century.
Powerful groups and warlords emerged in different regions controlling economy and life of the people. These warlords fought with each other to expand their areas of influence. Thus, there was no security of life and property in China at the beginning of the 20th century.
Further, European powers had begun penetration into China and secured their territories of influence in China. As a result Japanese victory in Russo-Japanese war of 1904-05, China lost more territory to Japan. The Manchu dynasty proved hopeless in such circumstances. The foreign exploitation reached nadir when the Japan following the World War I served upon China her demands.
In the meanwhile was formed the Kuomintang Party (KMT) or National Party by Dr. Sun Yat Sen in 1912. He wanted to build a modern, united and democratic China. Another important development around this time was the formation of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921 by Li and Chen with Mao and Chou-en-Lai as its members.
Initially, the communist party led by Mao formed united front with Kuomintang party led by Sunyat Sen, However, after death of Sunyat Sen in 1925, both parties drifted apart Chiang Kai Shek who succeeded Sunyat Sen as the President of the KMT party hated communists.
Moreover, the corruption and inefficiency had become hallmarks of the KMT party. The party had little to offer by way of reform, spent too much time looking after the interests of industrialists, bankers and landowners, and made no effective attempts to organize mass support.
This provided the main opportunity for Mao & the communists to win support. Moreover, the KMT put up no effective resistance to the Japanese. The Japanese had occupied Manchuria in 1931. It was only after Siou incident that Chiang agreed to form the united front with the Communist Party against Japanese.
However, when full scale war broke out in 1937, the KMT forces were quickly defeated and most of the eastern China was occupied by Japanese. This enabled the communists, undefeated in Shanghai, to present themselves as patriotic nationalists, leading an effective guerilla campaign against the Japanese in the north. This won them massive support among peasants.
The communists continued to win popular support by their restrained land policy, which varied according to the needs of the particular areas: some or all of a landlord’s estate might be confiscated and redistributed among the peasants. The communist armies were well-disciplined and communist administration was honest with the KMT a civil war and emerged victorious in 1947.
The Chinese revolution of 1949 was a highly significant event in the history of the world. Firstly, it led to the birth of a communist state in China. This revolution also had impact on the cold war politics in the second half of the 20th century. The success of communist ideology in establishing a socialist state gave stimulus to freedom movements in various parts of Asia and Africa.
The establishment of a socialist state in China with its controls and planning led to resurgence of Chinese economy in the post-revolutionary period. Being a communist state, China began to take independent policies in international relations. When offered the permanent membership of the United Nations, China started influencing international relations to a great extent.
Thus, the success of Chinese Communist Revolution ushered in a new era of economic property in China and added to the strength of communist movement in the contemporary world.
Question : “The Russian Revolution (1917) was an economic explosion hastened by the stupidities of the autocratic government.”
(2005)
Answer : The Russian Revolution constitutes an event of resounding significance in the pages of the twentieth century history of the world civilization. The revolution first came in March 1917 and then in November 1917, the revolution was carried by the Bolsheviks under leadership of Lenin.
The Russian Revolution was basically an outburst of dissatisfaction fuelled by the sharpening economic polarization of the Russian society.
The Revolution when it came was hastened by the inability and stupidity of the Czar regime who failed to rise to the occasion to save Russia from impending disaster.
The Russian economy was polarized. The industry had developed in Russia by the end of the nineteenth century but the profits that accrued were confined to few hands. In causing the Revolution, the economic conditions of the workers played a highly significant role. The workers suffered from long hours of work. They were paid low wages.
Heavy fines were imposed on them and they were treated inhumanely. The capitalists blocked the path of factory reform while the workers tried to protest through the strikes.
The condition of the peasantry was no better off. Though they were freed from Serfdom in 1861, they had to pay huge compensation to the landlords. Another serious issue at hand was the shortage of land. In such a situation, the peasants cast hungry eyes upon the large estates of the landlords.
The peasants carried out the cultivation with primitive tools and outdated methods. Further, the peasants had to bear heavy burden of taxation.
In the earlier wars that Russia fought, like the Russo-Japanese war in 1905, it had to suffer high losses. It was in this background that Russia joined the World War I which aggravated the situation and sufferings. Although, there was plenty of food in the country, it did not reach the big cities in sufficient quantities because of the war time arrangement of transportation. At the same time, a far sighted and efficient administration could have saved the situation turning into a revolution. But the Tsar Nicholas’ administration was corrupt and incompetent.
The people’s appeal for necessary measures for improvement in the condition was rejected by the king and wheeled away his time in luxuries, which compelled the people to rise in revolt.
Thus, the non-competent and corrupt rule of the Czar coupled with its inability to diffuse economic grievances brought the Revolution.
Question : What were the weaknesses and difficulties of the Weimer Republic? How did Hitler succeed in establishing his dictatorship?
(2004)
Answer : There were many weakneses in weimer Republic. Some of them are:
The weak Weimar government was a major factor in Hitler rise to power, however it was not the only reason. Hitler’s use of aggressive propaganda and his use of fear in terror in the people was also a tactic that strongly helped his cause. Weaknesses in the Weimar that particularly helped Hitler’s rise were the weak foundations that the republic was built on. The roles of the conservative elite’s in German society were a strong influence on the downfall of the Weimar and the rise of the Nazis. The final and most influential factor was the great depression, this further added to the republic’s problems and the Nazis blamed all of Germany’s economic and social problems on the Weimar governments.
The Weimar republic started in chaos, spent much of its short life in chaos, and dissolved without putting up much resistance.” The treat of communism that had taken over large parts of Europe of the people were scared that it would happen in their hometown, so their solution was to sign the agreement of democracy. The fact that Germany had never experienced a democracy was major reasons in its downfall, histories have often said, “ Germany is used to ruling itself, rather that being ruled by a democracy”. During the late 20’s and early 30’s the hostility of the German people were growing at an exponential rate. Living in a constant state of depression and poverty made these people search for an answer to these problems. People linked all these problems with the Weimar government “They were tired of misery, tired of suffering, tired of weakness. These were desperate times and they were willing to listen to anyone, even Adolf Hitler.” One historian said. Hitler promised these people the solutions they wanted. Once he gained he exploited all the flaws of the constitution such as Article 48 and proportional representation which helped him strive towards his ultimate goal, chancellor of Germany.
The role of the German Army played a crucial role in the way that Germany was being run and controlled. They mostly only acted against the left wing communist and they would turn a blind eye to the right winged attacks. The reason for this was the signing of the Ebert-Groner pact, which stated the elimination of the communists. With this selective protection it allowed groups such as Hitler’s Nazis to grow and prosper without the influence of the army to stop them. In the end the Weimar governments allowed the old ruling class to retain the position of power and influence the new Germany. Army leaders kept their independent positions, which was a fatal mistake as it allowed Hitler the opportunities to gain power without anyone there to stop him.
Big business, Junket class, civil service and the judicial system are all examples of conservative elite’s; they were key figures in the biased way that the Weimar republic was run and controlled. All these systems were constantly undermining the Weimar and its constitution. An example of this was shown in the judicial system, the judges that ran the courts were anti-Weimar and it showed greatly in the sentences that were handed down to certain people. Hundreds of Weimar politicians were assassinated by right-winged protestors, but when these people came before the courts the sentences handed down compared to left wing crimes were astronomical. One of these right winged criminals was Adolf Hitler himself with his attempt to over throw the government with the Munich Putsch. He was given just nine months prison which he didn’t even finish serving, where left winged people who committed the same crime could have been sentenced to death. This lenient system allowed Hitler to cheat the system and contributed to his rise, as his wrong doings were not seen.
The Great Depression was the final downfall of the 14-year existence of the Weimar republic and ultimately led to the rise of the Nazi party. No government could stop the troubles that the depression had cause and it created further chaos in the Reichstag where people started turning on each other to try and settle the troubled times. The sudden popularity was shown in the elections held at these times. In the lead up to the depression the Nazis had 12 seats and just two years later in the peak of the economic crisis the Nazis had 107 seats. This reflects the dissatisfaction that was shown in the present government and the fact that Hitler was the only person who promised the solutions that they people wanted. Many historians have stated that if Stressman had not died in 1929 then Germany may have recovered to its former strength and Hitler may never had the chance at gaining power.
From 1930 onwards the country is being ruled by presidential decree through the use of Article 48, so therefore no party could gain a majority for the German economy to get back on its feet. Hitler took advantage of these times of hardship and promised these desperate people what they wanted, employment and a way out of these poverty times. Hitler was the only option left, and is desperate time people look for desperate politics to solve these problems.
However, the weak Weimar was not the only reason for Hitler’s rise to power. His use of aggressive propaganda, Kurt Ludecke, who personally knew Hitler, stated that “Only one thing was managed marvelously from the beginning - the propaganda, Hitler’s personal hobby and perhaps his strongest point”. His use of fear and terror in the German population through groups such as SS, SA and Gestapo’s all lead to the ultimate goal. He changed the direction of the party by drifting to the right to maintain the power of the party. So Hitler’s rise had a number of factors other than the weak Weimar, his ability to captures peoples support and keep it was another major factor leading to his rise and this support was show in the 1932 elections where the Nazis gained 107 seats in the Reichstag. Papen then appointed Hitler Chancellor of Germany as he was seen as less of a threat than the social Democrats, another critical mistake in the Weimar government. Hitler was single-minded in his actions and would accept nothing but the role of chancellor ant any cost.
Question : Examine the causes of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and indicate its significance in world history.
(2003)
Answer : In the nineteenth century, almost entire Europe was going through important social, economic and political transformation. Unlike France and England, which were republic and constitutional monarchy respectively, Russia was still under the autocratic rule of the Czars. Though serfdom was abolished in 1861, there had been no improvement in the condition of peasants. They had meagre holdings of land with no capital to develop that. For decades, they had to pay heavy redemption dues for their meagre holdings. During those days, it was the land hunger of peasants which was a major social factor in the Russian society.
In the second half of the nineteenth century, industrialization began in Russia. It was already very late and then, it developed at a fast speed. Most of the investment came from foreign countries, the foreign investors were interested in quick profits showing no concern for the conditions of workers. There was a clear cut gap between the Russian investors with insufficient capital and the foreign investors. Russian capitalists, have, reduced workers’ wages. Whether the factory was owned by foreigners or Russians, the workers were the worst victims, their condition being horrible. Deprived of political rights with no means of gaining any kind of reforms, literally they had, in the words of Marx, ‘nothing to lose but their chains’.
The reign of Czars was outdated, unsuitable to modern times. They believed in the divinity of kings. The nobility and the upper class of the clergy were the only people supporting the Czar Nicholas II, in whose reign the Revolution occurred. The bureaucracy was insufficient and its members were only from the privileged classes. There was built a large empire, including diverse nationalities, by the Russian Czars. In all the conquered parts of the empire they imposed the Russian language and culture, belittling the people’s own language and culture. Russia’s imperialist expansion brought her into conflicts with other imperialist forces. The wars only exposed the hollowness of the Christ state.
Many peasant rebellions in Russia were suppressed before the nineteenth century. In the last quarter of the nineteenth century after failure of every attempt at gradual improvement, there began a movement ‘going to the people’ when intellectuals started preaching their ideas to the peasants. After industrialization began in Russia, workers’ organizations were set up. In 1883, the Russian Social Democratic Party was formed by George Plekhanov but was soon split into Mensheviks, the minority and Bolsheviks, the majority. In 1904, a war had broken out between Russia and Japan. The Russian army had suffered reverses in the war. This strengthened the revolutionary movement in Russia. On January 9th, 1905, a mass of peaceful workers with their wives and children was fired at St. Petersburg while on its way to the Winter Palace to present a petition to the Czar. More than a thousand of them were killed and thousands of others were wounded. This is known as ‘Bloody Sunday’. This shocking news provoked unprecedented disturbances throughout Russia.
Even sections of the army and the navy revolted. A new form of organization developed in this revolution which proved decisive in the upheaval of 1917. This was the ‘Soviet’, or the council of workers’ representatives. Though in October, the Czar issued his manifesto of constitutional monarchy, he soon relanted into his old ways. There remained no hope for gradual reform. The 1905 revolution aroused people and prepared people for revolution in 1917, drawing soldiers, even non-Russian. Bringing Russian into the First World War, Czar tried to satisfy his imperial ambitions by annexing Constantinople. This proved fatal hammering the last nail in the coffin of the Russian autocracy. Corruption was at its peak, there was complete shortage of food. The Russian army was in dire state. This condition was ripe for a revolution. Lenin, in his ‘the fundamental law for successful revolution’, has included two conditions—the people should fully understand that revolution is necessary and be ready to sacrifice their lives for it; the existing government should be in a state of crisis to make it possible for it to be overthrown rapidly.
On 12 March, 1917, St. Petersburg fell into the hands of the revolutionary and the Czar soon gave up his throne. This was the February Revolution (acc. to the Old Russian Calender). The provisional government lost the support of people as it didn’t implement their demands of peace, land to the Killer, control of industry by workers and equal status to non-Russians. This government collapsed and on November 7 an All-Russian Congress of Soviets assumed full power. This is known as October Revolution (acc to the Old Russian Calender).
The first achievements of the Russian Revolution were the overthrow of autocracy and the destruction of the aristocracy and the power of the church. The Czarist empire was transformed into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). Its policies were to be directed to the realization of the old socialist ideal, ‘from each according to his capacity, to each according to his need’. Private property as the means of production was abolished and the motive of private profit eliminated from the system of production. Economic planning by the state was adopted to build a technologically advanced economy at fast rate in order to eliminate inequalities in the society. As there was no unearned income, work became an essential requirement for every person. The right to work became a constitutional right and it was the duty of the state to provide employment to every individual. Education of all people was given priority. Equal status was given to all nationalities in the USSR. The republics formed by the nationalities were given autonomy by the constitution to develop their language and culture.
The Soviet Union became a major power in the world within a few years of the revolution. Its social and economic system was hailed as the beginning of a new civilization. This Revolution was the first successful revolution in history which proclaimed the building of a socialist society as its objective. The Communist International or Commentarn was formed for promoting revolutions on an international scale. The formation of communist parties in various countries of the world with the objective of bringing about revolution and following common policies was a major consequence of the Russian revolution. Despite the division of the socialist movement into two sections—socialist and communist and differences between them on the methods of bringing about socialism and about the concept of socialism itself, socialism became one of the most widely held ideologies within a few decades after its emergence. Its spread and influence was a very significant thing after the First World War.
It also promoted internationalism, self interest took a back-seat. Many problems, earlier considered national, were looked upon as international problem. The whole world united in a sense. The fundamental principles of socialist ideology-univesality and internationalism were accepted to a great extent. Socialist all over the world organised to put an end to imperialism.
The USSR was being looked upon as a friend of those countries struggling for independence as it was the first country in Europe to openly support the cause of independence of all nations from foreign rule. The USSR had annulled the unequal treaties imposed by the Czar on China. The Russian Revolution also influenced the independence movements gradually broadening the objectives of independence to include social and economic equality through planned economic development.
Question : The root of the rise of Fascism Lay in the peace treaties.
(2003)
Answer : The end of the First World War, “The war to end all wars”, it was believed, would be followed by an era of peace, freedom, democracy a better life for everyone. But the development during the next 20 years these hopes. One of the major drawbacks was the coming to power of dictatorial regimes in many countries of Europe. Some of the roots of the conflicts in Europe lay in Peace Treaties after the war. After the sense of humiliation rising from defeat of 1918 Germany was left to the mercy of its powerful enemies. On January 18, 1919 allied nations drafted a peace treaty with Germany giving her five days time to sign it or face an invasion. Germany had no choice but to sign what she called dictated peace. She was forced to accept her “war guilt”. The treaty had a chapter which started by stating about Germany’s accepting the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to them. On 28 June, 1919 the Treaty of Versailles was signed with Germany.
According the provision of this treaty, Alsace—Lorrain, which Germany had seized from France in 1871 was returned to France. Belgium, Denmark and Lithuvania also gained territories from Germany. Germany was debarred from uniting with Austria, the Rhineland was to be permanently demilitarized and occupied by the allied troops for 15 years. The strength of the German army was fixed at 100,000 and she was not to have any air force and submarines, only a limited number of naval ships. Having been forced to admit her ‘war guilt’, she was required to pay reparations to the Allies. The reparation were assessed later on amounted to £ 6,600 million. He was also deprived of all her colonial possessions having been divided among the victorious powers as per the secret treaties. The reparation settlement doomed the German economy for the foreseeable future. Because of these the German began to experience severe unemployment.
That Italy turned to Fascism, may at first seems surprising, in view of the fact that the Italians emerged as victors after the first world war. Yet its difficulties were rooted in the problems that the war had done little to resolve. The demoralising and humiliating effects of the war gave rise to Fascism in Italy. The financial cost of Italian participation was over $ 15 billion. Compared to Britain and France these sacrifices were far greater as Italy was a poor country. But, in the peace treaties during the division after the fighting the Italians got less than the expected. While Italy did receive most of the Austrian territories promised in the secret treaties, it was felt that these were inadequate for their valuable contributions and sacrifices made in the war. All of these factors contributed to the revolutionary mood in the country. In this situation, Mussolini leading an army of Fascist militia gained control of the Italian government. It was all the result of the humiliating effects of the peace treaties of the first world war and not because of the strength of Fascism.
Question : Examine the circumstances in China in the years 1945-49. What did the United States do to resolve the conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists there?
(2002)
Answer : When second world war had started there were three types of governments in China. The Manchuria government was under the influence of the Japanese government and its capital was at Nan King. Another Chinese government which was very oftenly called the national government was headed by Chiang Kai-Shek who was the leader of Kuomitang Party. His capital was at Chung King. The third government was in the region of Western China which was basically a communist government and it was aiming to establish communist rule in China. This government was led by Mao-Zedong.
One important fact about the entire Chinese politics of this period was that the domestic condition allowed easy interference of the European powers. America and Britain were supporting the Chiang-Kai-Shek government because he was in favour of democratic system. Another important fact was that America was trying to make China free from Japanese and Russian influence. Again the main reason was capitalist and communist ideological rivalry and endeavour to polarize the Asian countries in their own favour. In 1944, America extended arm support to Chiang Kai Shek government. America and Britain had already signed a treaty with the Chiang government that had brought the extra-territorial system to an end. When UNO was founded this Chinese government was given vito power. America was willing to establish peace and order in China for this two things were essential. First to defeat Japan and make China free from Japanese hegemony and another was to end the rivalry between the Ching and Mao Government. For this American General Stelevel and Embassador Hurley had made great effort but they had not been much successful.
In 1945, Japan was defeated in the second world war by America but this had not solved the problems of China. The only important effect of this defeat was that the Japan supported Nan King government collesped. But again this had emerged as a cause of animosity between the Mao and Chiang government as both of these governments were willing to establish their own control on the Manchuria region.
In 1945 American President sent a team delegates in the leadership of General Marshall to establish amicable relation between the two rival Chinese governments differing from each other in ideology. But General Marshall failed in getting any tangible result.
In Nov. 1946 China made an appeal to establish peace and order but it was opposed by the communist government. The communist government adopted very aggressive policy and captured all those areas which were earlier under the control of Russia.
On 14 January, 1949 communist government put certain conditions before the Chiang government, but Chiang did not accept these conditions as they were against the interest of his government. Chiang government had already weakened and even America was not much interested in giving any support as there was possibility of direct struggle with Russia. Lastly Mao had been successful in establishing the Communist government and American effort had gone in vain.
Question : ‘Marxian Communism is primarily the offspring of German Hegelianism and French Socialism.’
(2001)
Answer : ‘Marxian Communism is primarily the offspring of German Hegelianism and French Socialism.’ The intellectual heritage from which Karl Marx drew his insight attitudes and concepts was a synthesis of many ideological current in Europe in the early and the middle 19th century. These included the basic assumption of the socialistic faith and the slogans of the French revolution and the philosophy of George William Friedrich Hegel.
Karl Marx’s year’s in the University of Berlin were spent under the impact of Hegelian philosophy. Marx was influenced by Hegel’s philosophy of history and his science of logic. He joined the group now as a young Hegelian. This was the group with which Marx became formally associated when he was studying law and philosophy. Although he was the youngest member of the young Hegelians, he inspired their confidence, respect and even admiration. They saw in him a “new Hegel” rather a powerful anti-Hegelian.
French socialism grew outof the endeavour to establish economic equality between man and man just as democracy seeks to establish political equality. The distress of the working class provoked bitter criticism of the existing social order. A new class of theorists and reformers began to arise who urged man to be social and not selfish. Some of the socialists who influenced Marx were Robert Owen, Saint Simon,Charles Fourier, Louis Blanc. Like Hegel,Marx recognised that the history of mankind was simply a single and non-repetitive process. He also believed that the law of historical process could be discovered.
But Marx also deviated from Hegelian philosophy and French socialism. Socialism lacked precision of method rather than a definite aim. Marx removed this defect and gave socialism a philosophy and a new direction. His communist Manifesto which appeared in 1848 has been aptly described as “the birth-cry of modern socialism.”
Economic interpretation of history and class struggle are the two main principles of the Marxian Communism. He put forward the theories of Historical materialism, alienation, modes of production and class struggle in which he traced the evolution of society in terms of struggle between two classes. He concluded that after capitalistic mode of production, society will inevitably culminate into communism i.e. classless society. According to Marx, communism is system in which goods are owned in common and are accessible to all.
The epoch to which Marx belonged had its beginning in the French revolution. But its historical philosophical dimensions coincided with those of the whole era of industrial and social revolutions. This is the reason for the lasting appeal of his body of thought i.e. by no means free from influences.
