The Contemporary Period, c. 1914 to the Present: 6.2: A New Age of Revolutions: Mexico, Russia, and China (Sources 1–8)

The Mexican Revolution is the most tremendous event of the last three decades on the American continent. Like the upheavals in Russia, Turkey, and China, it is notable for its fundamental rethinking and reorganization of all life. (Source 1)

Probably not since the founding of the democracy of the United States of America has anything more original been undertaken in the New World. (Source 1)

Turning away from the foreign dominance of a white European-North American capitalistic regime, the leaders of the Revolution are attempting to find a new basic system that will follow the communal life of the original Mexicans [Amerindians]. (Source 1)

As John Reed reported soon thereafter in Ten Days That Shook the World, Lenin took the podium, stared out into the cheering crowd, and simply said, “Now, we will construct socialism.” (Source 2)

In attempting to abolish private property and the market economy, the socialist experiment condemned itself to failure, and this is true wherever and whenever it is tried. (Source 2)

In theory, the abolition of private property in the means of production renders rational economic calculation impossible. (Source 2)

In theory, the abolition of private property in the means of production renders rational economic calculation impossible. (Source 2)

In practice, the “abolition” of private property means only that decision rights get transferred to state officials and that decisions are made based not on rational economic calculations but on political criteria. (Source 2)

Tools of repression and oppression emerge to bring about the “New Freedom.” (Source 2)

Tools of repression and oppression emerge to bring about the “New Freedom.” (Source 2)

Soviet history is a record of economic deprivation and political tyranny. (Source 2)

Soviet history is a record of economic deprivation and political tyranny. (Source 2)

Suspecting voter fraud, runner-up Francisco Madero called on Mexican citizens to revolt and the Mexican Revolution began. (Source 3)

How can free institutions flourish when there is no opposition to keep the majority, or governing party, in check? (Source 3)

It promised land reform and municipal autonomy for the rural population, nondiscrimination and full freedoms for the industrial workers, federalism, full voting rights for adult males, and national ownership of sub-soil resources, coasts, and frontiers. (Source 4)

It promised land reform and municipal autonomy for the rural population, nondiscrimination and full freedoms for the industrial workers, federalism, full voting rights for adult males, and national ownership of sub-soil resources, coasts, and frontiers. (Source 4)

In the 1930s segregated housing and discriminatory salaries and work assignments ended while the government seized most of the lands along the coasts and borders, nationalized the oil, transportation, and communications infrastructure, and created 50-50 partnerships in high-tech businesses. (Source 4)

In the 1930s segregated housing and discriminatory salaries and work assignments ended while the government seized most of the lands along the coasts and borders, nationalized the oil, transportation, and communications infrastructure, and created 50-50 partnerships in high-tech businesses. (Source 4)

Enormous income and wealth disparities place Mexico among the most inequitable societies in the world, where a few enjoy unimaginable wealth in the midst of squalor and misery. (Source 4)

Enormous income and wealth disparities place Mexico among the most inequitable societies in the world, where a few enjoy unimaginable wealth in the midst of squalor and misery. (Source 4)

Enormous income and wealth disparities place Mexico among the most inequitable societies in the world, where a few enjoy unimaginable wealth in the midst of squalor and misery. (Source 4)

Last year a higher estimate of grain output was made than was warranted. (Source 7)

This created a false phenomenon. (Source 7)

There was serious superficiality in our understanding of the development of the iron and steel industry. (Source 7)

For instance, the slogans raised by the chairman [Mao Zedong], such as “Grow less, produce more and reap more” and “Catch up with Britain in fifteen years,” were strategic and long-range policies. (Source 7)