Communism Under Stalin vs. Mao

Josef Stalin and Mao Zedong were both very similar and still quite different. Each of these great leaders wished to transform his country into something new and powerful. Though their methods of rule were not the same, they each were extremely effective leaders and had enormous impacts on his own country. Russia, before Stalin, could absolutely be considered as being a weak and peasant country. China, before Mao Zedong, was attempting, but failing, to modernize efficiently under Nationalism. These two countries under Stalin and Mao Zedong advanced quickly and went from being smaller and mostly powerless countries to global powers. These advances, however, did not come without sacrifice. Both countries suffered an astronomical number of deaths and underwent immense suffering during the many years under these two leaders. But, some would consider these sacrifices necessary in order to construct these two countries and make them both on the same level as the most powerful countries in the world.

Communism in Russia began roughly in the early 1900s after the Russian Revolution. Though it was in its early stages, it had great potential to grow. For the longest time, Russia had been ruled by royalty known as tsarists. Early communists and tsarists despised each other and fought in a civil war. This war ended with Russian communist party in control, under Vladimir Lenin. This time for Russia was difficult. The citizens of Russia were mostly farmers and various other lower-class people, which made it difficult for Russia to industrialize. Similarly, China was also undergoing difficulties in its times before and during communist control. China's two large parties, communists and nationalists, were in an all-out war with each other. communists and nationalists alike suffered many losses, and their wars ravaged the lands of China. The nationalists controlled a majority of China and also had the upper-hand in terms of weaponry and forces. During World War