Communism, not democracy, has been the predominant political force of the 20th century.  To date, more than 1 billion live under some form of communist rule. The Cold War created an atmosphere of tension and potenial annihilation that affected every one on this planet.  If any one event shaped the rest of the century, it would have to be the rise of communism after the Bolshevik Revolution and the subsequent spread of Soviet influence into nearly every corner of the globe.  The effects of communist rule will be felt for generations as we deal with the failing Russian economy and continued tensions among ethnic groups, once united by force, now free to reignite old hatreds.

Kate Briand

-----Original Message-----
From:   Jane Sarre [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Wednesday, February 03, 1999 3:00 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: Your TOP EVENT / DECISION that shaped the 20th Century

Following Heleanor's ideas, i reckon the rise of democracy and universal
suffrage has probably changed both history and people's perception of it.
Couple that with the rise of the trans-national corporation & the mass media
& there you have (a take on) the twentieth century.
Jane