The Collapse of Communism in Eastern EuropeCommunism is like Prohibition: it's a good idea but it won't work" (Will Rogers, 1927) (1)This essay will give a Brief introduction to communism. We will then discuss the various factors that combined to bring about the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. We will examine each of these factors and evaluate the effect of each. Finally, we will attempt to state whether the opinion of Rogers (see above) quote on communism is true, i.e. whether communism was truly doomed to fail from the beginning, or whether its collapse was the result of external influences communism is based on ideas and teachings by Karl Marx in their most modified version by Lenin Basically, the ideal of communism is a system in which all are seen as equal and wealth is distributed equally among the people all businesses and properties. The state is run by a leading elite. The Soviet model of communism was based on these ideals. All opposition parties were banned, although parties sympathetic to communism and sharing communist ideals were admitted. All power was concentrated in the hands of the communist party. Freedom of the press and civil liberties were suppressed. Censorship and propaganda were widely used. There was state ownership of the economy. No private enterprise was permitted. There was a collectivization of agriculture. The Communist Party has invaded and controlled every aspect of political, social, cultural and economic life. It was a totalitarian state with complete communist control over all aspects of life. In the early years, and up until Gorbachev's "new regime", the use of force and terror as a means of maintaining control was widespread. The first factor that contributed to the failure and eventual collapse of communism was due to the fact that the rule of the communist party was illegitimate from the beginning. Lenin came to power after a bloody civil war between those who supported Lenin and those who opposed the Soviet regime. For Lenin, defeat was unthinkable and he was ready to make any sacrifice to win the war and save "the revolution". The forced requisitioning of food and supplies was approved by Lenin. This could only be achieved by imposing strict and absolute discipline at every level of society. Terror would become the main instrument of power and Lenin would assume the role of dictator. This was a phenomenon that would become a symbol of communist regimes throughout their existence. This trend was followed when Stalin came to power as the leader of the