Activity Overview
Communism was not limited to China and Russia. Dozens of other nations have experimented with communism. In fact, five nations still identify themselves as Marxist/Leninist today. Despite the similarity in ideology, each of these nations had very different experiences with this political structure.
Five communist regimes are included on the spider map example below. Students will analyze how and why different nations adopted communism. Students will also assess how well nations did under a communist regime.
See the example with Mozambique in the storyboard above!
For each nation, students must:
- Research the nation's history during communism.
- Provide a storyboard graphic that depicts some part of the nation’s experience with communism.
- Provide a caption at the bottom of the cell that provides an assessment/overview of the nation’s experience with communism.
Extended Activity
- Add other communist regimes for assessment.
- Focus on a specific geographic region like the Caribbean
- Focus on a single nation, and using a six cell spider chart. This spider chart would analyze the impact of communism on politics, economics, religion, society, intellectual development, and the arts.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Research nations that have experimented with communism or still consider themselves communist today and create a spider map detailing each nations's experience.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In each cell, note the communist state in the title and provide an overview of the nation's experience with communism in the description.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items that depict some part of that experience.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Communism was not limited to China and Russia. Dozens of other nations have experimented with communism. In fact, five nations still identify themselves as Marxist/Leninist today. Despite the similarity in ideology, each of these nations had very different experiences with this political structure.
Five communist regimes are included on the spider map example below. Students will analyze how and why different nations adopted communism. Students will also assess how well nations did under a communist regime.
See the example with Mozambique in the storyboard above!
For each nation, students must:
- Research the nation's history during communism.
- Provide a storyboard graphic that depicts some part of the nation’s experience with communism.
- Provide a caption at the bottom of the cell that provides an assessment/overview of the nation’s experience with communism.
Extended Activity
- Add other communist regimes for assessment.
- Focus on a specific geographic region like the Caribbean
- Focus on a single nation, and using a six cell spider chart. This spider chart would analyze the impact of communism on politics, economics, religion, society, intellectual development, and the arts.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Research nations that have experimented with communism or still consider themselves communist today and create a spider map detailing each nations's experience.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In each cell, note the communist state in the title and provide an overview of the nation's experience with communism in the description.
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items that depict some part of that experience.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Assessing Other Communist States
Organize a classroom debate on the successes and failures of different communist states
Encourage critical thinking by splitting your class into small groups, each representing a different communist nation. Assign roles such as 'pro' and 'con' for each country, and have students research and present arguments on the nation’s achievements and struggles under communism. This activity fosters engagement and helps students understand multiple perspectives while practicing respectful, evidence-based debate.
Guide students to select and research their assigned nation
Have students choose or assign them a communist country to focus on. Provide research prompts like ‘What led this country to adopt communism?’ and ‘What were the main outcomes?’ This targeted approach ensures students dig deeper into their assigned nation’s unique experience.
Support students in preparing evidence-based arguments
Help students find credible sources, such as history textbooks and reputable websites. Teach them to gather facts and examples about each nation’s successes and challenges. Model how to cite sources and encourage students to include at least two pieces of evidence in their arguments.
Facilitate the debate with clear guidelines and time limits
Set ground rules for respectful discussion and listening. Assign each group a turn to present their arguments and respond to questions. Use a timer to keep the debate focused and fair, ensuring every group gets an equal opportunity to participate.
Lead a reflection on what students learned from the debate
Wrap up the activity by asking students to share new ideas or surprising facts they discovered. Discuss how perspectives varied and what factors shaped each nation’s experience with communism. This step reinforces analysis and empathy as students consider diverse viewpoints.
Frequently Asked Questions about Assessing Other Communist States
What are some examples of countries that have experimented with communism besides China and Russia?
Aside from China and Russia, countries such as Cuba, North Korea, Vietnam, Mozambique, and Laos have adopted communist regimes at various points in history, each with distinct experiences and outcomes.
How can students analyze the impact of communism on different nations in a classroom activity?
Students can research nations that practiced communism and use a spider map to visually organize information about each country's political, economic, religious, social, intellectual, and artistic experiences under communism.
What is a spider map and how is it used to study communist states?
A spider map is a graphic organizer where the central idea (such as 'Communist States') is placed in the center, with branches showing key aspects like politics, society, and economics. It helps students break down and compare each nation's experience with communism.
What should be included in a storyboard graphic about a communist nation’s history?
A storyboard graphic should include illustrations or scenes that depict important events or themes from the nation’s communist era, along with a caption that summarizes the overall impact or assessment of communism in that country.
How can teachers adapt this lesson to focus on a single nation or region?
Teachers can tailor the activity by having students concentrate on one country or a specific region, using tools like a six-cell spider chart to analyze the impact of communism on areas such as politics, economics, religion, society, intellectual life, and the arts.
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