The following article first appeared in the August 2005 issue of Socialism and Liberation magazine. August 6 and 9 mark the anniversaries of two pivotal events in world history: the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These tragic events not only marked the end of World War II but also set the stage for a new era of global politics.
The United States was not the only leading power on the world stage after the end of World War II; it had a new competitor for this power in the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union, under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, emerged from the war as a major superpower, thanks in part to the spread of communism in Eastern Europe and Asia.
Communism, a political and economic ideology that calls for a classless society and equal sharing, has surged and declined since emerging in the early 20th century. China, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, embraced communism and began implementing drastic social and economic reforms in the aftermath of World War II.
Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka showcase the diversity of China's engagement strategies in a very multidimensional region but also highlight the spread of communism beyond China's borders. These countries, influenced by China's communist ideology, saw shifts in their political landscapes as well.
Disputes over overlapping exclusive economic zones in the South China Sea have intensified in recent decades, while the territorial row over certain islands in the region has further fueled tensions between China and its neighboring countries. The spread of communism in China played a role in shaping these geopolitical disputes.
Dr. Rana Mitter depicts how China held a critical role in the Pacific theater during the war as a key ally for the United States. The war's end, however, marked a turning point as China shifted towards communism, aligning itself with the Soviet Union and setting the stage for the Cold War.
An interview with Anne Applebaum about her new book, The Crushing of Eastern Europe, sheds light on the impact of communism in countries like Hungary. Soviet-built tanks rolling through the streets and political repression are stark reminders of the spread of communism beyond China's borders.
The key lesson of the 20th century is that democracy is more fragile than we might like. The rise of communism in China and beyond after World War II serves as a cautionary tale about the power of ideology and its ability to shape the course of history.
