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◀ RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
The Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized
power in Russia in October 1917 and founded the first
communist state. The communists set about creating a
new kind of society, a “workers’ state” based on
common ownership of industry and land.▼ CULTURAL REVOLUTION
In 1949, communists, led by Mao Zedong, took power in
China. In 1966, Mao, who feared that China was sliding away
from communist principles, launched a “cultural revolution”
to root out old ways of thinking. Opponents and intellectuals
were persecuted, and the country came close to chaos.◀ CUBAN
Industrial revolution
In 1956–59, Cuban rebels, led
by Fidel Castro and Che
Guevara (left), overthrew the
corrupt government of the
dictator, Fulgencio Batista.
Although Castro went on to
rule as another dictator, he
improved conditions for the
Cuban poor, and provided
them with greater access to
hospitals and schools.▲ VELVET REVOLUTION
Mass protests in November 1989, and a
general strike in Czechoslovakia, proved
enough to bring down the unpopular
communist government. The lack of violence
led to this being called the “velvet”, or soft,
revolution. Here marchers carry the flag of
the new Czech Republic (Czechia).242_243_Revolution.indd 243 03/01/19 12:11 PM