Author: Abu Ayesha
Communism and Unforgettable Events
Introduction to the Term Communism:
Communism is an ideology and philosophy rooted in political and economic thought. It can be considered a philosophical, political, and economic ideology that arose in opposition to capitalism and liberal democracy.
The term “communism” is derived from the Latin word “communis,” meaning “common.” It refers to a political, scientific, and economic movement that emerged prominently in the 19th century, largely based on the ideas of Karl Marx and the Communist Manifesto.
If we examine the history of communism, we find it to be one of the oldest political schools of thought in the world. In 1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published the Communist Manifesto, which sparked a new wave in the global communist movement.
In the 20th century, one of the phenomena that significantly influenced domestic affairs and international relations was the rise of communist regimes in certain countries. In 1917, the first communist regime in the world was established in Russia. By the end of World War II, many European nations were forcibly subjected to communism by Russia. During the bipolar era of international relations, nearly half of the world’s European countries were governed by communists. However, today, such countries are very few and far between.
The October Revolution and Entry into Politics:
The October Revolution of 1917 in Russia, led by Vladimir Lenin, marked the beginning of the practical implementation of a socialist government that identified itself as communist. Lenin’s leadership aimed to rescue the masses and eliminate class disparities. During this time, Lenin and his followers, known as the Bolsheviks, seized power.
The October Revolution of 1917 was the starting point for communists entering the political arena. In the years following their rise to power, the Soviet Union experienced significant upheavals and transformations. The reigns of Lenin and Stalin in the Soviet Union foreshadowed the emergence of a new dictatorship. Among them, Stalin became notorious for his authoritarianism, oppression, and coercion. Under his rule, numerous atrocities occurred, the likes of which are rarely seen in history.
Crimes of Communists:
Although the leaders of the communist party initially claimed to defend the rights of the people, over time, upon gaining political and governmental power, they suppressed the population and imposed their ideology by force. The crimes of communists are evident and palpable throughout history: oppression, purges, forced deportation, slavery, and starvation. They showed no mercy, not even to their supporters and followers.
If you think Adolf Hitler killed a large number of people in history, you are mistaken. Mao Zedong and Stalin surpassed the Nazi dictator, killing tens of millions. It is estimated that Mao killed 70 million people, Stalin 40 million, and Pol Pot in Cambodia—within just four years in the late 1970s—killed 2 to 3 million people out of a population of 8 million. When communism reached East Africa, particularly in Ethiopia during the rule of the ruthless dictator Mengistu, 1.5 million people were killed.
It is worth noting that many of the crimes committed by these dictators and oppressive leaders remain hidden from public knowledge. To consolidate their power, communist regimes went beyond individual atrocities and small-scale killings, institutionalizing mass atrocities as a system of governance. History is replete with the disasters caused by communists in various regions. These catastrophic events and violent massacres carried out for the sake of power and domination will never be erased from the annals of history and will be passed down through generations.
In summary, many of these parties initially rose with kindness, compassion, and claims of defending the rights of the people and minorities, gaining power with their support. However, once they tasted the allure of ambition and the desire for dominance, they spared no one.
References:
1. Salehi, Akram, and Tohidfam, Mohammad. Theoretical and Practical Rethinking of Communism in the Collapse of the Soviet Union, Encyclopedia of Law and Politics, 2014.
2. Bayat, Nafiseh Mirgaloi, Communism from Its Rise to Its Fall.
3. APEC Times Persian, 2018. Article Title: Communism Killed 100 Million People in the Twentieth Century.
4. [1] Bayat, Nafiseh Mirgaloi, Communism from Its Rise to Its Fall, p. 6.
5. [2] Salehi, Akram and Tohidfam, Mohammad, Theoretical and Practical Rethinking of Communism in the Collapse of the Soviet Union, Encyclopedia of Law and Politics, 2014, p. 51.
6. [3] Salehi, Akram and Tohidfam, Mohammad, Theoretical and Practical Rethinking of Communism in the Collapse of the Soviet Union, Encyclopedia of Law and Politics, 2014, p. 51.
7. [4] Epoch Times Persian, 2018. Article Title: Communism Killed 100 Million People in the 20th Century.
