The twentieth century cannot be properly understood unless we understand communism: its origins, growth, demise and legacy. This brief overview of the history of communism challenges us to think about its role in shaping the contemporary world.

This book shows how the modern communist movement emerged out of radical millenarian movements of the Middle Ages and the English Civil War, becoming a mass movement of industrial society, seeking to overturn capitalism and replace it with a society of equality, justice, harmony and co-operation. It traces the growth of modern communism from its beginnings in the early nineteenth century to its position of global power at the end of the Second World War. Why did communism grow so quickly? Why did it spread to turn almost half of the world red by the mid-1970s? What impact did it have upon capitalism and capitalist society?

How has communism shaped the contemporary world? This is a book that covers both the concept and the practice of communism.

About the Author

Mark Sandleis aprincipal lecturer in Russian and Soviet History at De Montford university. He recently won an award as a DMY Distinguished Teacher (for which he was nominated by his students). He is fascinated by ideas and their impact and loves looking at the broad sweep of history and finding patterns to help people make sense of the past. His previous publications include A Short History of Soviet Socialism(1999) and Brezhnev Reconsidered (2002).

Book Information
ISBN 9780582506039
Author Mark Sandle
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Longman
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 249g