Russian Revolution and Stalin

Russian Revolution & Russian Revolution & Communist RussiaCommunist Russia

Soviet Union = USSR = RussiaSoviet Union = USSR = Russia

Thanks GSILL

THE FALLTHE FALL PROBLEMS in Russia: lack PROBLEMS in Russia: lack

of freedom, poor of freedom, poor leadership, major leadership, major economic problems, & economic problems, & food shortages.food shortages.

EVENTS that challenged EVENTS that challenged the Czar’s authority: the Czar’s authority: unionization, unionization, westernization, defeat in westernization, defeat in the the Russo-Japanese WarRusso-Japanese War, , ““Bloody SundayBloody Sunday”, 1905 ”, 1905 Revolution, & losses Revolution, & losses during World War I.during World War I.

Stages of Russian RevolutionStages of Russian Revolution 1916-1917: 1916-1917:

Demonstrations and Demonstrations and protests were held protests were held against the against the government (soldiers, government (soldiers, rural and urban rural and urban workers, and workers, and intelligentsia intelligentsia involved).involved).

Bloodless Revolution Bloodless Revolution in March 1917: Czar in March 1917: Czar abdicates the throne abdicates the throne and a provisional and a provisional government government (democratic / (democratic / socialist) was set up.socialist) was set up.

Provisional Government FailedProvisional Government Failed

Radical movements gained support and Radical movements gained support and momentum.momentum.

The BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTIONThe BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION Nov 1917: The Nov 1917: The BolsheviksBolsheviks (one of the (one of the

radical communist groups) and their radical communist groups) and their leader, Vladmir LENIN, gained enough leader, Vladmir LENIN, gained enough support and power to seize control support and power to seize control of the government (Nov. 1917) “on of the government (Nov. 1917) “on behalf of the people.”behalf of the people.”

--SocialismSocialism – – The means of production (businesses and services) are The means of production (businesses and services) are

owned by the “public” and operated for the good of all. owned by the “public” and operated for the good of all. The government controls key industries and thus parts The government controls key industries and thus parts of the economy. of the economy.

--Marxism / CommunismMarxism / Communism - - A radical type of socialism based upon the belief that:A radical type of socialism based upon the belief that: the working class majority would unite and forcibly take the working class majority would unite and forcibly take

the political and economic power from the wealthy the political and economic power from the wealthy minority—who took advantage of them. minority—who took advantage of them.

The working class would then control government, The working class would then control government, industry and agriculture. industry and agriculture.

Worker councils would govern “democratically”. Goods Worker councils would govern “democratically”. Goods and services, profits and benefits would be shared and services, profits and benefits would be shared equally. Eventually, a classless society would develop.equally. Eventually, a classless society would develop.

The BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTIONThe BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION

CIVIL WARCIVIL WAR: : 1918 - 19201918 - 1920

Civil War began as Civil War began as forces militarized in forces militarized in Russia.Russia.

RED – Bolsheviks, other RED – Bolsheviks, other communists, some communists, some socialistssocialists

WHITE - Nationalists, WHITE - Nationalists, Monarchists, Moderates Monarchists, Moderates (with outside support)(with outside support)

CIVIL WARCIVIL WAR: : 1918 - 19201918 - 1920

The Czar and his The Czar and his family were family were executed before executed before the Red Army the Red Army finally took control finally took control of most of Russia.of most of Russia.

Josef Stalin slowly Josef Stalin slowly gained power in the gained power in the communist party, the communist party, the government, and then government, and then became a totalitarian became a totalitarian leader.leader.His rivals were all His rivals were all removed violently or removed violently or politically.politically.

And then came . . . STALIN!And then came . . . STALIN!

Changing History

Four... Three...

Two... One...

Changing History

Psycho!

“To choose one’s victims, to prepare one’s plan, to quench a strong desire for vengeance, and then to go to bed . . .there is nothing sweeter in the world.”

Josef Stalin

The Great Terror 1937-38

• Arrests - about 7 million • Executions - about 1 million

(Stalin’s signature appears on death warrants of over 600,000)

• In prison or camps in late 1938 - about 9 million

• Died in camps - about 2 million

Soviet Mentality• Brutality of the state was for Soviets’

own protection (similar to Tsars’ control)

• “Politicals” – those who were “guilty” of spying, disloyalty, etc. received worse punishments then criminals

Gulags

Soviet Mentality• Main propaganda

included promises of prosperity and future success

Socialism in One Country• According to Stalin, the duty of the

USSR was to first create a strong state - must be able to defend against enemies!

“We are fifty or a hundred years behind the advanced countries. We must make good this distance in ten years. Either we do it or we shall be crushed” – Stalin

Socialism in One Country

• Industrialization– Series of 5 year plans– Impressive results - by

1930’s USSR was the world’s 3rd leading industrial power!

Socialism in One Country• Agricultural

Revolution– 1928 seized 25 million

privately owned farms

– Established gov’t owned farms called collectives

Socialism in One Country

• Costs– Brutal techniques were

used against workers and farmers

– Secret police coerced the population to meet economic goals

– Massive famine killed 5-10 million

Socialism in One Country

What stayed the same?• Largely rural

population and strong agricultural base.

• Consumer-based economy never developed.

• Russian economy mostly isolated from the West.

USSR- Changes in the Social Class USSR- Changes in the Social Class and Familiesand Families

Similar changes as in the industrialized nations Similar changes as in the industrialized nations of the west.of the west.• Family ties loosened, emphasis on nuclear families.Family ties loosened, emphasis on nuclear families.• Birth rates declinedBirth rates declined• Greater emphasis on children succeedingGreater emphasis on children succeeding

Christianity’s role in the family weakened.Christianity’s role in the family weakened.

USSR- Women’s StatusUSSR- Women’s Status ““Legal equality” with Legal equality” with

men.men. Women joined the Women joined the

work force in work force in industrialization and industrialization and had some political had some political roles.roles.

Women gained Women gained ground in certain ground in certain professions – such as professions – such as medicine.medicine.

What stayed the same?• Male-dominated

society – politically and economically

• No middle-class• Elite class still in

control of the politics, economics, and society– (Leader and communist

party replaced Tsar and boyars)

Full Circle...

• Stalin died in 1953• “All of us around

Stalin were temporary”

• “Destalinization” of the USSR under Kruschev

Full Circle...