How Much You Know About Communism? Trivia Quiz

1. Before the Holocaust,the majority of the world's Jews lived in east central Europe. What was the only country in this region during the 1930s and WWII where Jews were not persecuted,deported or exterminated & where government policy was to outlaw anti-semitism & protect the rights & safety of Jews.

Poland

Soviet Union

Romania

Hungary

During the 1930s and WWII, the only country in east central Europe where Jews were not persecuted, deported, or exterminated was the Soviet Union. The government policy in the Soviet Union was to outlaw anti-Semitism and protect the rights and safety of Jews.

Explanation

During the 1930s and WWII, the only country in east central Europe where Jews were not persecuted, deported, or exterminated was the Soviet Union. The government policy in the Soviet Union was to outlaw anti-Semitism and protect the rights and safety of Jews.

2. In 1949, when China's revolution took place, only about 15% of the people could read or write. When Mao died in 1976, the literacy rate was about

80%

60%

40%

Mao was anti-intellectual and didn't care if people could read or write.

When Mao Zedong died in 1976, the literacy rate in China was approximately 80%. During Mao's leadership, efforts were made to increase literacy rates across China. The Communist Party implemented large-scale education campaigns, literacy programs, and mass mobilization efforts aimed at educating the broader population. These efforts significantly improved literacy in the country. While Mao's policies sometimes had anti-intellectual aspects, such as during the Cultural Revolution, the broader objective of the Communist Party under Mao's leadership was to improve education and literacy rates to support the development of a new socialist state. As a result, by the time of Mao's death, literacy had risen dramatically from the 15% level at the time of the Chinese revolution in 1949.

Explanation

When Mao Zedong died in 1976, the literacy rate in China was approximately 80%. During Mao's leadership, efforts were made to increase literacy rates across China. The Communist Party implemented large-scale education campaigns, literacy programs, and mass mobilization efforts aimed at educating the broader population. These efforts significantly improved literacy in the country. While Mao's policies sometimes had anti-intellectual aspects, such as during the Cultural Revolution, the broader objective of the Communist Party under Mao's leadership was to improve education and literacy rates to support the development of a new socialist state. As a result, by the time of Mao's death, literacy had risen dramatically from the 15% level at the time of the Chinese revolution in 1949.

3. In the last 20 years, governments in the 3rd World opened their economies to high-tech agribusiness, bought grain & food on the world market instead of producing it themselves & exported agricultural products. These were policy prescriptions of major world capitalist powers. What's the situation today?

World output of food has kept ahead of population growth and hunger has been reduced.

There has been no change in the situation since 1990

Hunger has fallen because of the Western aid programs to poor countries.

The correct answer states that the growth rate of food production has fallen below population growth and the number of hungry people in the world has reached a historic high of 1 billion. This suggests that despite governments opening their economies to high-tech agribusiness and importing agricultural products, the situation has not improved. The fact that hunger has increased contradicts the claim that world output of food has kept ahead of population growth and hunger has been reduced. Additionally, the answer implies that Western aid programs to poor countries have not been effective in reducing hunger.

Explanation

The correct answer states that the growth rate of food production has fallen below population growth and the number of hungry people in the world has reached a historic high of 1 billion. This suggests that despite governments opening their economies to high-tech agribusiness and importing agricultural products, the situation has not improved. The fact that hunger has increased contradicts the claim that world output of food has kept ahead of population growth and hunger has been reduced. Additionally, the answer implies that Western aid programs to poor countries have not been effective in reducing hunger.

4. During the Mao years from 1949-1976, life expectancy

Got worse, declining from 58 years to 52 years.

Improved greatly, doubling from 32 to 65 years.

Stayed the same at 58 years

There is no data

During the Mao years from 1949-1976, life expectancy improved greatly, doubling from 32 to 65 years. This can be attributed to various factors such as improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition during this period. The government implemented various policies and programs aimed at improving the overall well-being of the population, which likely contributed to the significant increase in life expectancy.

Explanation

During the Mao years from 1949-1976, life expectancy improved greatly, doubling from 32 to 65 years. This can be attributed to various factors such as improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition during this period. The government implemented various policies and programs aimed at improving the overall well-being of the population, which likely contributed to the significant increase in life expectancy.

5. Mass protest occured throughout the world in the 1960s. Which was the only government that encouraged criticism and rebellion against people in power carrying out oppressive and elitist policies.

U.S.

France

China

Australia

During the 1960s, mass protests were a common occurrence worldwide, with various governments facing criticism and rebellion against their oppressive and elitist policies. Among the options provided, China stands out as the only government that encouraged such dissent. The Chinese government, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, actively supported and promoted the Cultural Revolution, which aimed to challenge and overthrow traditional power structures and establish a more egalitarian society. This involved encouraging citizens, particularly young people, to criticize and rebel against those in power, including party officials and intellectuals. Therefore, China was the only government in the given options that encouraged criticism and rebellion against oppressive and elitist policies.

Explanation

During the 1960s, mass protests were a common occurrence worldwide, with various governments facing criticism and rebellion against their oppressive and elitist policies. Among the options provided, China stands out as the only government that encouraged such dissent. The Chinese government, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, actively supported and promoted the Cultural Revolution, which aimed to challenge and overthrow traditional power structures and establish a more egalitarian society. This involved encouraging citizens, particularly young people, to criticize and rebel against those in power, including party officials and intellectuals. Therefore, China was the only government in the given options that encouraged criticism and rebellion against oppressive and elitist policies.

6. In 1927, with government backing and resources, a massive campaign was launched to free women from having to wear the veil that had been forced on them for centuries and to empower them to challenge traditional gender roles. Where was this?

Egypt

Morocco

Soviet Union

Turkey

In 1927, Turkey, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, initiated a campaign to liberate women from the veil and challenge traditional gender roles. Part of the broader "Kemalist Reforms," this move aimed to modernize and westernize the country. The civil code was modified, granting women equal legal status with men, and changes were made in the educational system to promote gender equality. Women were encouraged to join the workforce, and the unveiling campaign sought to free them from the traditional Islamic dress code. These reforms had a lasting impact on the role of women in Turkey but continue to be a subject of debate due to the complex interplay of gender, religion, and national identity.

Explanation

In 1927, Turkey, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, initiated a campaign to liberate women from the veil and challenge traditional gender roles. Part of the broader "Kemalist Reforms," this move aimed to modernize and westernize the country. The civil code was modified, granting women equal legal status with men, and changes were made in the educational system to promote gender equality. Women were encouraged to join the workforce, and the unveiling campaign sought to free them from the traditional Islamic dress code. These reforms had a lasting impact on the role of women in Turkey but continue to be a subject of debate due to the complex interplay of gender, religion, and national identity.

7. When asked publicly if the death of a half a million children from economic strangulation of a country following an invasion was justifiable- this government leaders replied, " This is a very hard choice, but we think the price is worth it." Who was this person?

Adolph Hitler's foreign minister

Joseph Stalin's foreign minister

Bill Clinton's secretary of state

Slobodan Milošević's foreign minister

The person referred to in the question is Bill Clinton's secretary of state. This can be inferred from the statement made by the government leader, stating that the death of half a million children from economic strangulation following an invasion was a hard choice but worth it. Bill Clinton was the President of the United States from 1993 to 2001, and his secretary of state during that time was Madeleine Albright. Albright infamously made a similar statement in 1996 when discussing the impact of sanctions on Iraq, stating that the price of half a million children dying was worth it to achieve their objectives.

Explanation

The person referred to in the question is Bill Clinton's secretary of state. This can be inferred from the statement made by the government leader, stating that the death of half a million children from economic strangulation following an invasion was a hard choice but worth it. Bill Clinton was the President of the United States from 1993 to 2001, and his secretary of state during that time was Madeleine Albright. Albright infamously made a similar statement in 1996 when discussing the impact of sanctions on Iraq, stating that the price of half a million children dying was worth it to achieve their objectives.

8. In which of the following countries was the expected social role of women in the 1950s to be mothers who did domestic chores and to be subordinate to men. (Hint: there is more than one right answer)

India

Japan

U.S.

China

In the 1950s, the expected social role of women in India, Japan, and the U.S. was to be mothers who did domestic chores and to be subordinate to men. These countries held traditional and conservative views on gender roles, where women were expected to prioritize their roles as wives and mothers, while men held positions of authority and dominance. This societal expectation limited women's opportunities for education, employment, and independence, reinforcing their subservient position in society.

Explanation

In the 1950s, the expected social role of women in India, Japan, and the U.S. was to be mothers who did domestic chores and to be subordinate to men. These countries held traditional and conservative views on gender roles, where women were expected to prioritize their roles as wives and mothers, while men held positions of authority and dominance. This societal expectation limited women's opportunities for education, employment, and independence, reinforcing their subservient position in society.

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