Chapter 21 - Revolution, Socialism, & Global Conflict (1917-Present)
Communism promised many things for people, equality and opportunity being the two main things which made it so appealing. The Communists movements of the twentieth century echoes the earlier French Revolution which promised new and better worlds could be constructed by human action. Communism was a movement that rose in many places, but the two most known for it are China & Russia.
"To communist regimes, building socialism meant first of all the modernization and industrialization of their backward societies. They sought, however, a distinctly socialist modernity. This involved a frontal attack on long-standing inequalities of class and gender, an effort to prevent the making of new inequalities as the process of modern development unfolded, and the promotion of cultural values of selflessness and collectivism that could support a socialist society."
Communism isn't always seen as a great thing, but it did bring some great things to the people in these communists countries. For instance, it wanted to fight inequalities and it did. One example of this would be Communist Feminism. Many great things came from this time period which were later adopted in the West. Strayer names a few...
"The new communist government almost imm mediately issued a series of laws and decrees regarding women. These measures declared full legal and political equality for women; marriage became a civil procedure among freely consenting adults; divorce was legalized and made easier, as was abortion; illegitimacy was abolished; women no longer had to take their husbands' surnames; pregnancy leave for employed women was mandated; and women were actively mobilized as workers in the country's drive to industrialization."
It definitely was a great time for women, were they were able to see changes being made and see themselves finally being accepted as workers in society. There are a lot of people that are against communism, and I'm not quite sure I agree with it myself but I do agree that it brought out some good and necessary changes to the world.
The Marriage Law of 1950 in China was one of those necessary changes, which was a direct attack on patriarchal and Confusion traditions. "It decreed free choice in marriage, relatively easy divorce, the end of concubinage and child marriage, permission for widows to remarry, and equal property rights."
Women were finally able to have a voice, and decide what they wanted to do with their bodies. They finally had the right to property, to work, and completely end arranged marriage. I can only imagine the feeling all these women had knowing that all these changes for being made for them to be more equal to men after years and years of not being recognized.
Just as fast as communism started though it came to an end during the last twenty years of the 20th century. But it hasn't completely ended around the world today, as there are still some countries that are considered to be communists. For instance, China, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, & Cuba are some of the remaining communists countries in the world today.
One question I asked myself while reading this chapter was if communism wasn't the greatest thing, then why is it that some countries still live by that today?
It brought great changes to people living in those countries, and overall communism supports the better welfare for all. Equality, Education, Healthcare, among other things but it also brought hope to its people of a better tomorrow.
"To communist regimes, building socialism meant first of all the modernization and industrialization of their backward societies. They sought, however, a distinctly socialist modernity. This involved a frontal attack on long-standing inequalities of class and gender, an effort to prevent the making of new inequalities as the process of modern development unfolded, and the promotion of cultural values of selflessness and collectivism that could support a socialist society."
Communism isn't always seen as a great thing, but it did bring some great things to the people in these communists countries. For instance, it wanted to fight inequalities and it did. One example of this would be Communist Feminism. Many great things came from this time period which were later adopted in the West. Strayer names a few...
"The new communist government almost imm mediately issued a series of laws and decrees regarding women. These measures declared full legal and political equality for women; marriage became a civil procedure among freely consenting adults; divorce was legalized and made easier, as was abortion; illegitimacy was abolished; women no longer had to take their husbands' surnames; pregnancy leave for employed women was mandated; and women were actively mobilized as workers in the country's drive to industrialization."
It definitely was a great time for women, were they were able to see changes being made and see themselves finally being accepted as workers in society. There are a lot of people that are against communism, and I'm not quite sure I agree with it myself but I do agree that it brought out some good and necessary changes to the world.
The Marriage Law of 1950 in China was one of those necessary changes, which was a direct attack on patriarchal and Confusion traditions. "It decreed free choice in marriage, relatively easy divorce, the end of concubinage and child marriage, permission for widows to remarry, and equal property rights."
Women were finally able to have a voice, and decide what they wanted to do with their bodies. They finally had the right to property, to work, and completely end arranged marriage. I can only imagine the feeling all these women had knowing that all these changes for being made for them to be more equal to men after years and years of not being recognized.
Just as fast as communism started though it came to an end during the last twenty years of the 20th century. But it hasn't completely ended around the world today, as there are still some countries that are considered to be communists. For instance, China, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, & Cuba are some of the remaining communists countries in the world today.
One question I asked myself while reading this chapter was if communism wasn't the greatest thing, then why is it that some countries still live by that today?
It brought great changes to people living in those countries, and overall communism supports the better welfare for all. Equality, Education, Healthcare, among other things but it also brought hope to its people of a better tomorrow.
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