Russia and China in the 20th Century

In the 20th century, Russia and China were the main two communist countries who were successful at one point and set examples for other countries around the world. Between 1900 and 2000, Russia and China differed in their economic goals and social literacy rates, while they were similar in being highly anti-West and taking action against those whom opposed Communist rule as Communism reached its peak and fell by the end of the century in both countries.

Economically, both Russia and China were ambitious about advancing and being at the same level as Western countries, or even higher. Economic reforms were highly important during these revolutions political leaders led. Since both countries were communist most of the century, they both eliminated private enterprise and focused on industrializing as a whole country. Also, they both took steps in empowering lower classes and giving them privileges they've never had before. However, both countries differed in their emphasis and who they mainly focused on. China focused on the peasants because they made up the majority of the country. Russia focused on the proletariat, who were one of the lower classes. The countries also varied in their tactics to a successful economy. After the death of Lenin, his successor, Joseph Stalin created numerous goals in order to catch up with Western countries known as the Five-Year-Plans. The plans were meant to recover the Soviet Union's economy in a very industrialized way and shortest time possible. A few of Stalin's Five-Year-Plans were somewhat successful, while others were disastrous. In China's case, one wouldn't say there was a thought-out plan as in Russia. One example is the production of steel and its effects. One of the main components of the Chinese revolution was steel production. Any Chinese civilian who had to prove their devotion to their country, the Communist Party, and its leader, Chairman Mao, had to go on a steel production spree. That could have meant anyone, from high-paid workers, like doctors, to peasants. The majority of people who produced steel were peasants, who dedicated their time to work endlessly. That also meant they neglected their farms, which led to a drought and famine in the countryside. There was less and less farming and distribution of foods, which hurt the economy and deaths of many famers.

An obvious similarity between Russia and China is the fact that they both were Communist nations most of the 20th century. The revolution in Russia and its communist party was more active before the Chinese, so the Chinese Communist Party looked up to them. Another similarity is that both countries were highly anti-West, especially politically. For example, the Soviet Union and Germany loathed each other because one was fascist and the other was communist. The anti-West sentiment in China wasn't a new aspect in the new century. One reason is the Opium as Europeans wanted China to open more trade ports. Another similarity Russia and China shared was that they both started the 20th century with monarchies that had been around for centuries, but groups in both countries who sought to wipe out monarchies took action. In Russia, the tsar and provisional government was overthrown by the Bolshevik Party in 1917. Led my Lenin, Russia saw some stable years when ruled by the Bolsheviks because of Lenin's clever strategies. Lenin took precautions to keep Russia Communist as it could be by eliminating political rivalries and those who opposed of the new government. In China, the monarchist Qing Dynasty declined in 1911. Soon after, the Chinese Communist Party and Nationalist Party were established. However, Russia and China differed in how they attained revolutions. In Russia, they achieved a revolution by revolt against the tsar after the First World War. Whereas in China, there was a civil war between the peasant army who fought for the Communist Party and the army of the Nationalist Party, which was one