What Is Communism?

8. Chinese Communism

The Communist Party of China was founded in 1921. The ideals of Marx and the Bolsheviks influenced it. As in Russia, the revolutionaries fought to control the government. Mao became the leader of the Chinese Communist Party in 1927. By 1947, his party gained control of China. During his tenure, Mao, like the leaders of communist Russia, used state violence to achieve their social aims. Under Mao, as with Stalin, millions were persecuted and murdered who were deemed a threat to the ruling order.

ixsblue / Getty Images