Glossary

Communism is a political ideology and theory that aims for a classless society in which ownership, production and distribution of goods and services are collectively organised. Communism also refers to the political system that was put into practice using dictatorial and totalitarian methods in various countries, including the Soviet Union and East Germany (GDR). The group of communists who came to power in the Soviet Union called themselves the Bolsheviks. The fight against communism, known as anti-communism, was an important part of Nazi ideology and practice. The Nazis persecuted communists and interned them in concentration camps.