AP Comparative: Quiz Over Pages 181-201

During the Soviet regime, religion in Russia was outlawed. The Soviet government promoted atheism and suppressed religious practices, including the closure of churches, persecution of religious leaders, and censorship of religious materials. This was done to establish a communist society based on scientific materialism, where religion was seen as a threat to the ideology of the state. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, religion has made a comeback in Russia, with Christianity being the predominant faith practiced by over 75% of the population.

The Russian oligarchs of today primarily gained their influence under President Yeltsin. During his presidency in the 1990s, Yeltsin implemented economic reforms that led to the privatization of state-owned assets. This process allowed a small group of individuals to acquire these assets at significantly low prices, leading to the rise of the oligarchs. Yeltsin's administration was marked by corruption and crony capitalism, which further facilitated the consolidation of power and wealth among these individuals. Therefore, it is under Yeltsin's leadership that the Russian oligarchs began to emerge as influential figures in the country.

China and the Soviet Union are the correct answers because both countries declared themselves to be communist nations in the 20th century. China, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, established the People's Republic of China in 1949, adopting a communist ideology. The Soviet Union, led by Vladimir Lenin and later Joseph Stalin, became the world's first socialist state in 1922, which eventually transformed into a communist country. These two nations played significant roles in the spread of communism during the 20th century.

According to Karl Marx, governments would eventually become unnecessary because of the development of communism. In a communist society, where the means of production are collectively owned and wealth is distributed equally, there would be no need for a governing body to enforce laws or regulate society. Marx believed that once the class struggle was abolished and a truly classless society was achieved, the state would wither away and become unnecessary.

The statement is false because "Slavophiles" were actually Russians who rejected Western policies and influences. They believed in the preservation of traditional Russian culture and values, advocating for a unique path of development separate from the West.

Joseph Stalin is most notable for his "purges" within his own government. During his leadership of the Soviet Union, Stalin carried out a series of mass repressions and purges, targeting perceived enemies and potential threats to his regime. This included the Great Purge in the late 1930s, where millions of people, including government officials, military officers, and ordinary citizens, were arrested, executed, or sent to labor camps. Stalin's purges were aimed at consolidating his power, eliminating opposition, and maintaining control over the Soviet state.

Democratic Centralism was Vladimir Lenin's idea, inferring that a small group should lead the revolution on behalf of those who were incapable of providing leadership themselves. This concept emphasizes the importance of a strong and disciplined party leadership that makes decisions collectively and enforces them on all members. It promotes unity and centralized control within the party, ensuring that the revolutionary goals are achieved efficiently and effectively.

Communist countries have faced major problems in regards to central planning, specifically logistical difficulties and lack of incentives for workers. Logistical difficulties refer to the challenges in efficiently coordinating and managing resources, production, and distribution within a centrally planned economy. Lack of incentives for workers means that the absence of market-based rewards and motivation can lead to lower productivity and innovation. These two problems have been commonly observed in communist countries, hindering their economic growth and development.

The correct answer is chaos and revolution. This is because Russia has experienced significant political and social upheavals throughout its history, including the Russian Revolution in 1917 and the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. These events led to major changes in the country's political system and governance, often accompanied by periods of instability and turmoil.

Vladimir Lenin asserted the idea of the "Vanguard of the Revolution." This concept refers to a group of dedicated revolutionaries who would lead the working class in overthrowing the capitalist system and establishing a socialist society. Lenin believed that the vanguard, consisting of professional revolutionaries, would be the driving force behind the revolution and guide the proletariat towards their ultimate goal. Lenin's idea of the vanguard was a key component of his revolutionary theory and influenced the strategies and tactics of communist movements around the world.

The statement is false because Maoism is actually a form of Marxism-Leninism that emphasizes the importance of the peasantry and their role in revolution. Maoism does not focus on taking land from the peasant farmer class and redistributing it for industrial production. Instead, it emphasizes collective farming and the establishment of communes as a way to achieve agricultural and industrial development.

The explanation for the given correct answer is that despite the authoritarian nature of communist states, there is still a certain degree of social mobility allowed within the system. This means that individuals have the ability to change their social status over the course of their lifetimes, indicating that social mobility is possible in communist states.

After the death of Mao in 1976, China underwent economic reforms that introduced market-oriented policies, allowing for the development of a mixed economy. This shift towards market-based socialism aimed to combine elements of socialism with market mechanisms, such as private ownership and competition. These reforms led to increased foreign investment, economic growth, and a rise in living standards in China. Therefore, the statement that market-based socialism originated in China after Mao's death is true.

Mikhail Gorbachev's "glasnost" plan aimed to increase freedom of speech and press in the Soviet Union. However, instead of widespread gratitude and acceptance, the plan was met with torrents of complaints. This suggests that the implementation of the plan did not have the intended positive impact and may have faced resistance or opposition from certain groups or individuals.

The statement contradicts itself. While communism's theory advocates for restrictive gender relations, in practice, women do not enjoy equal opportunities for success in communist countries. In reality, communist regimes have often limited women's rights and opportunities, promoting traditional gender roles and restricting their involvement in political and economic spheres. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

The statement is false because "Nomenklatura" refers to a system in which the Communist Party appointed and promoted individuals to key positions in the government and other organizations. It was not specifically related to choosing titles for their committees.

The Baltic people are generally admired by the Russian people for their civility and sophistication. This admiration may stem from their cultural and historical ties, as well as their reputation for being well-educated and cultured. The Baltic countries, such as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, have a rich cultural heritage and are known for their beautiful architecture, literature, and arts. Additionally, the Baltic people have a strong work ethic and are often seen as hardworking and disciplined. This admiration for the Baltic people is likely due to their perceived similarities in values and lifestyle with the Russian people.

Karl Marx described the proletariat as the industrial workers. The proletariat refers to the working class who do not own the means of production and are dependent on selling their labor for wages. Marx believed that the proletariat would eventually rise up against the bourgeoisie (the capitalist class) in a revolution to establish a classless society. Therefore, the industrial workers, who were employed in factories and often faced poor working conditions and low wages, fit Marx's description of the proletariat.

Nikita Khrushchev is known for his "secret speech" because in 1956, during the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, he delivered a speech where he denounced the crimes and abuses committed by his predecessor, Joseph Stalin. This speech was not intended to be made public, hence the term "secret speech." Khrushchev's speech marked a significant shift in Soviet politics and led to a period of de-Stalinization within the Soviet Union.

The "shock therapy" reforms imposed on Russia were the policies implemented by Boris Yeltsin. Boris Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation and served from 1991 to 1999. During his presidency, he introduced a series of market-oriented economic reforms known as "shock therapy." These reforms aimed to transition Russia from a centrally planned economy to a market-based economy. They involved rapid privatization, liberalization of prices, and opening up of the economy to foreign investment. However, these reforms also led to economic instability and a decline in living standards for many Russians.

The correct answer is China, Brazil, India, and Russia. These four countries make up the acronym BRIC, which was coined by a chief economist for Goldman Sachs. BRIC represents the rapidly developing economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, which are expected to become dominant global players in the future.

Vladimir Lenin was followed by the "Bolsheviks" because he was the leader and founder of the Bolshevik Party, which later became the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Lenin led the Bolsheviks in the October Revolution of 1917, overthrowing the Provisional Government and establishing a socialist government in Russia. He played a crucial role in the early years of the Soviet Union and was a key figure in the development of Marxist-Leninist ideology.

Russia has a significant Muslim population, making it the country with the second-largest number of Muslims in Europe, after Turkey. This statement is true as it highlights that Russia has more Muslims than any other European nation, except for Turkey.

The correct answer is "distrust." This is because the word "distrust" implies a lack of confidence or faith in the government, suggesting that the Russian people generally do not trust their government. The other options, such as "role," "strong belief," and "financial investment," do not accurately capture the sentiment of the Russian people towards their government.