The spread of Communism was largely influenced by:

• Revolutions and civil wars: such as the Russian Revolution (1917) and Chinese Civil War (1949).

• Post-colonial struggles: countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America saw Communist ideas as a way to fight imperialism.

• Cold War influence: The USSR and the USA competed to spread their ideologies; the Soviets backed Communist regimes in Eastern Europe, Asia, and elsewhere.

Often, Communist movements took root in societies suffering from inequality, poverty, or foreign exploitation.