The Impact of Communism and Nationalism on Society

Introduction

Communism and Nationalism have both played a major role in influencing the ideologies of people’s thoughts, which ultimately significantly changed people's behaviors. With the development of nationalism, there was an enlightenment period that transitioned society from an agricultural to an industrial one, moving from manufacturing to factory production. This shift led to a tremendous change in the type of work, such as converting to unfamiliar tools like iron and steel. Society became much more urban, resulting in a redefinition of social classes. Professions that were once considered artisanal became industrialized, leaving many without jobs and rapidly putting people out of work.

The Role of Nationalism

Although there are negative aspects to the spread of nationalism, it served as a wake-up call for self-worth, which often led to rebellions in different colonies. By 1871, industrialization was at its peak in Britain. Innovations like mechanized factory production, the use of coal, and transportation outlets increasingly benefited Britain's economic expansion. As colonists began to recognize their value, families developed a more positive outlook on life.

After World War I, Africans became more active politically. Those who had fought in the war were exposed to new ideas in the West about freedom and nationalism. Even in Africa, the values of liberty and equality were taught and glorified. As word spread, more people became intrigued and sought to reform their dreams of freedom, although unfortunately, that dream remained largely unfulfilled.

The Emergence of Communism

Shortly after nationalism, communism was developed in response to nationalism. We can assume that communism might not have emerged without nationalism. Communism greatly affected the wealth and property of rich landowners, as they were distributed to the public. The idea of communism strongly encouraged rebellion in hopes of achieving total social equality, which was considerably challenging for citizens with differing views and ideas.

Karl Marx, born into a middle-class family in Germany, played a pivotal role in the development of communism. As his potential profession as a professor declined due to his atheistic views, Marx became a journalist and publisher. His critical and radical views about liberalism led to the suppression of newspapers in Cologne in 1842. By 1847, Marx joined a German socialist revolutionary class known as the Communist League, inspiring him to publish the Communist Manifesto in 1848. In his writing, Marx explained that communism is a political theory advocating for a society where all property is publicly owned, and each person’s work is paid according to their abilities and needs, influencing their production. The idea of communism spread throughout Europe, leading to a loss of control over colonies and territories, with World War I being a major turning point (Marx & Engels, 1848).

The Soviet Union and Stalin's Role

The Soviet Union, established in 1922, was developed by the first communist party known as the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin. Initially, the Bolsheviks faced struggles in obtaining power in Russia, but eventually, dictatorship took place, and they gained full control. By 1924, Joseph Stalin gained complete control, creating his economic system of complete socialism known as the Five Year Plan. The plan succeeded through impressive organization, contributing specific goals throughout the country, including controlling agricultural ownership.

Stalin's powerful role in the Communist Party led to the prohibition of negative speeches regarding the party. The Soviet Union emerged as one of the most powerful nations on earth. Many other communist nations, such as China, looked up to Stalin due to his despotism in Russia. Post-Soviet Union social changes arose, such as the emergence of education for elites and the creation of greater opportunities for women (Fitzpatrick, 1994).

Asia's Transition

In Asia, at the end of World War II, the British arranged a turning point with both the Indian National Congress, which mostly gathered Hindus, and the Muslim League. India was divided into British Muslims and Hindus, unwilling to identify as a single Indian state. Britain realized that British India would have to separate into Hindu and Muslim majority regions, known as India and Pakistan, respectively. Mahatma Gandhi, a congress leader, opposed the separation, warning of the potential for violence. By 1947, Hindus and Muslims officially separated, leading to extreme violence and rebellion across new borders, as Gandhi predicted (Gandhi, 1947).

Other areas in Asia also declared independence, such as Indonesia in 1949, after the Dutch failed to restore control over the Dutch East Indies. The French's efforts to regain control created strain between communist leaders of Vietnamese Ho Chi Minh, leading to a defeat in 1954, which granted the French control over Vietnam.

Chinese Nationalism and Communism

Initially, two Chinese governments existed: the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek, supported by Americans, and the Communist side under Mao Zedong's leadership. Mao aimed to create an anti-imperialist movement leading toward socialism. The revolution began in the 1930s, with the Northern Liberation Army, including over one million troops, attracting millions of peasants due to promises of land. By 1958, Mao initiated the Great Leap Forward, consisting of collective farms and villages. However, the project was unsuccessful due to lack of support from Chinese citizens and adverse weather conditions (Meisner, 1999).

Post-World War II Europe

After World War II, Western Europe faced issues such as rebuilding economies, recreating democratic institutions, and limiting the growth of the Communist Party. The Communist Party struggled to regain power after the Cold War and was eventually short-lived. However, many communists joined forces with other parties, such as Social Democrats, also known as Socialists. Their overall goal was to overthrow traditional conservative politics (Judt, 2005).

Conclusion

Most people are aware that nationalism and communism are both forces behind political systems of government and are commonly known today. In many countries, regions are either entirely nationalistic or communistic, or even sometimes a balance between the two, such as in China. Communism does have the capacity to work in its own unique form. Ultimately, both ideologies have played significant roles in shaping modern societies.

References

• Fitzpatrick, S. (1994). Stalin's Peasants: Resistance and Survival in the Russian Village after Collectivization. Oxford University Press.
• Gandhi, M. (1947). The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. Publications Division Government of India.
• Judt, T. (2005). Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945. Penguin Press.
• Marx, K., & Engels, F. (1848). The Communist Manifesto. Penguin Classics.
• Meisner, M. (1999). Mao's China and After: A History of the People's Republic. Free Press.