Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Communism Versus Capitalism: Difference in Ideology (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Why was Ideology an Issue in the 1940s? - Summary
Countries with conflicting ideologies, mainly the USA and the Soviet Union, formed an alliance during the Second World War to defeat Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan While Germany remained a common enemy, the Allied countries were united and generally cooperative. However, after the defeat of Germany in May 1945, there was no longer a need to work together The USA’s belief in capitalism was very different to the Soviet Union’s belief in communism. These differences had been put aside during the Second World War, but both sides were suspicious of the other. Where the USA prided itself on the ‘American Dream and emphasised the rights of the individual, the Soviet Union believed that wealth should be distributed and placed extra importance on workers |
What is Capitalism?
Capitalism is an ideology where everyone is free to own property and businesses to make money
By 1941, the main capitalist countries were the USA and Britain
Exam Tip
Don’t confuse capitalism with fascism. Although both are right-wing beliefs, fascism is less concerned with the rights of the individual and more focused on doing what is best for the country using tools such as the police, propaganda and censorship.
What is Communism?
Communism is an ideology where all property is owned by the state to ensure that everyone has a fair share
By 1941, the main communist country was the Soviet Union
Exam Tip
Don’t confuse communism with socialism. They share similar features and are both left-wing beliefs. However, socialism has established classes, permits belief in religion and allows individuals to own their own property.
The Attitudes of Capitalist America in 1941
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the President of the USA in 1941
The USA joined the Second World War against Germany and Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941
Despite the differences between capitalism and communism, Roosevelt was tolerant of Stalin and the Soviet Union
The Attitudes of Communist Russia in 1941
Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union in 1941
The Soviet Union joined the Second World War after four million German soldiers invaded in 1941, in violation of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact
Stalin’s policies in the 1930s focused on collectivisation and industrialisation, resulting in the deaths of millions of people:
The USA and Britain had been very critical of these policies
The Grand Alliance in World War Two
The Grand Alliance - or ‘Big Three’- was formed between the USA, the Soviet Union and Britain to defeat the Axis powers of Germany and Japan during the Second World War
Although all three countries were united in their efforts to defeat the Axis, they were still suspicious of each other:
Britain and the USA were especially concerned about communism and the Soviet Union becoming stronger
It was known as a ‘marriage of convenience’ because they were only allies in order to defeat the Axis powers
‘Old powers’ like Britain and France had been replaced by the new ‘superpowers’ of the USA and the Soviet Union
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