Communist era
A communist era refers to a sustained period of national government by a single party following the philosophy of Marxism–Leninism. Many countries have experienced such a period of Communist rule.
Current communist states
China
The Communist Party of China emerged as the dominant political entity in mainland China following the Chinese Civil War of 1927–1949. On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong declared the People's Republic of China from atop Tiananmen.
Cuba
Following the 1953–1959 Cuban Revolution, the new government led by Fidel Castro transitioned the country into a one-party state, with all meaningful opposition media closed to transferred to state control by the end of 1960. In 1976 a national referendum ratified a new constitution, with 97.7% in favour, which secured the Communist Party's central role in governing Cuba.
Laos
Communist rule in Laos began in March 1975 after the Khmer Rouge army took power with support of the North Vietnamese after the Fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War. In December 1975 King Sisavang Vatthana was forced to abdicate and the Lao People's Democratic Republic was pronounced, and a very authoritarian system introduced – non-communist newspapers were closed, and a large-scale purge of the civil service, army and police was launched.
North Korea
Vietnam
Current states with a history of communist rule
Angola
Afghanistan
The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan was founded on April 30, 1978, following the Saur Revolution. The People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan was supported by the Soviet Union through a series of internal power struggles, eventually collapsing in 1992 after the Soviet Union's dissolution.