Introduction to Key Terms of the Cold War
History: KS3, topic 20.1.1
Introduction to Key Terms of the Cold War
This section explains important terms like communism, capitalism, and ideology.
The Cold War
- A ‘Cold War’ is a war that has no physical fighting between the two sides.
- Instead, it is fought in every other way: politically, economically and through other parties (e.g. supporting rival governments.)
Capitalism
- Capitalism is both a political and economic system.
- It is where the factors of production (e.g. farming, factories and all business) are run for profit (to make money) and owned privately (by individuals or firms).
- This means some people can grow very rich and some people can be very poor.
- The USA and the UK are examples of capitalist countries.
Communism
- Communism is also a political and economic system.
- It is where the factors of production (e.g. farming, factories and all business) are run for the good of the people and are owned and run by the state.
- This means everyone should be more equal and society should be more fair.
- The USSR was a communist country.
Ideology
- Communism and capitalism are both political AND economic systems.
- This makes them a way of living and of thinking/believing.
- This is called an ideology.
The Soviet Union
- In 1917, Russia became the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic or USSR.
- This was the year Russia became a Communist country and this was the reason the name was changed.
Test yourself on Introduction to Key Terms of the Cold War
Which of these is an example of a communist country?