The Soviet Union and Communist China were similar in several key ways, particularly in their adoption and implementation of communist ideology, but they also had important differences.
Similarities
- Marxist-Leninist Foundations : Both the Soviet Union and Communist China based their political systems on Marxism-Leninism, aiming to establish a classless, socialist society through the leadership of a vanguard communist party
- One-Party Rule : Both countries were governed by a single communist party that controlled the state apparatus and suppressed political opposition to maintain centralized authority
- Planned Economies : They implemented centrally planned economies focusing on rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture. China initially followed the Soviet model of prioritizing heavy industry, guided by Soviet advisors
- Use of State Control and Repression : Both regimes employed extensive state control over society, including censorship, propaganda, and political repression to enforce party ideology and maintain control
- Alliance and Cooperation : Early on, the Soviet Union and China were close allies, signing the 1950 Treaty of Friendship, Alliance, and Mutual Assistance, with the USSR providing economic, military, and technical aid to China
Differences (Contextual for Understanding Similarities)
- Peasant vs. Worker Revolution : While Soviet communism emphasized a proletarian (worker) revolution, Chinese communism under Mao focused on the peasantry as the revolutionary class due to China's agrarian society
- Decentralization : China had a more decentralized economic structure, with many state-run factories controlled at local levels, unlike the highly centralized Soviet system
- Approach to International Relations : The Soviet Union under Khrushchev pursued peaceful coexistence with the West, whereas China under Mao took a more militant stance, leading to the Sino-Soviet split
In summary, the Soviet Union and Communist China shared a foundational commitment to Marxist-Leninist ideology, one-party rule, planned economies, and state control, especially in their early years and during their alliance. However, their differing social contexts and leadership styles led to significant divergences later on
