Curated timeline

Communism History

The history of a political ideology. From Marx and Engels' Manifesto to the Russian Revolution, the spread to China and Cuba, and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc.

• Thomas More Publishes Utopia (1516)

  Thomas More publishes 'Utopia,' introducing early concepts of communal property and collective ownership in literature.

• Babeuf's Conspiracy of Equals (1796)

  Gracchus Babeuf leads the first modern communist conspiracy in France, advocating for complete equality and common ownership.

• New Harmony Community Founded (1825)

  Robert Owen establishes New Harmony utopian community in Indiana, pioneering cooperative socialism in America.

• Proudhon's 'What is Property?' (1840)

  Pierre-Joseph Proudhon publishes 'What is Property?' introducing anarchist theory and the phrase 'property is theft.'

• Marx Writes Economic Manuscripts (1844)

  Karl Marx writes the Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts, developing early theories of alienation and communist society.

• The Communist Manifesto Published (February 21, 1848)

  Marx and Engels publish 'The Communist Manifesto,' calling for workers to unite and overthrow the bourgeoisie.

• European Revolutions of 1848 (1848)

  The 'Spring of Nations' sees socialist and democratic uprisings across Europe, influencing communist thought.

• First International Founded (September 28, 1864)

  International Workingmen's Association established in London to unite workers worldwide under socialist principles.

• Das Kapital Volume I Published (September 14, 1867)

  Marx publishes the first volume of 'Das Kapital,' providing detailed analysis of capitalist economic system.

• Paris Commune Established (March 18, 1871)

  Revolutionary government controls Paris for 72 days, serving as inspiration for future communist movements.

• German Social Democratic Party Founded (May 23, 1875)

  First major socialist political party formed in Germany, becoming model for socialist parties worldwide.

• Second International Founded (July 14, 1889)

  International socialist organization established in Paris, coordinating global socialist movement until WWI.

• Russian Social Democrats Split (August 30, 1903)

  Russian Social Democratic Labour Party splits into Bolsheviks (Lenin) and Mensheviks factions.

• First Russian Revolution (1905)

  Revolution leads to limited constitutional monarchy and emergence of workers' councils (soviets) in Russia.

• First Kibbutz Established (1909)

  Degania, the first kibbutz, founded in Palestine as collective agricultural community based on socialist principles.

• February Revolution (March 8, 1917)

  Russian February Revolution overthrows Tsarist regime, creating provisional government and dual power situation.

• October Revolution (November 7, 1917)

  Bolsheviks seize power in Russia, establishing the world's first communist government under Lenin.

• Russian Civil War (1918-1921)

  Devastating civil war between Red Army (Bolsheviks) and White Army, solidifying communist control of Russia.

• New Economic Policy Introduced (March 21, 1921)

  Lenin introduces NEP, allowing limited capitalism to revive Soviet economy after War Communism failures.

• Soviet Union Formed (December 30, 1922)

  Union of Soviet Socialist Republics officially established, creating the world's first communist state.

• Lenin Dies, Stalin Rises (January 21, 1924)

  Lenin's death leads to power struggle, eventually won by Stalin who transforms Soviet communism.

• First Five-Year Plan Launched (October 1, 1928)

  Stalin launches rapid industrialization program and collectivization of agriculture in Soviet Union.

• Great Purge Begins (1934-1938)

  Stalin's mass repressions eliminate millions of perceived enemies, consolidating totalitarian control.

• Popular Front Strategy (August 2, 1935)

  Seventh World Congress of Comintern adopts Popular Front strategy against fascism.

• Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

  International communist involvement in Spanish Civil War as rehearsal for World War II ideological conflict.

Open the interactive timeline viewer to explore the full timeline.