Communism in Russia 1900-1940

Communism

As planned = all people equal

Government owns everything

People own the Government

So…in theory, everyone owns everything

All needs met & all people contribute

UTOPIA – relies on the goodness within

Perfect in theory – Has never worked in practice

WHY? The greed and corruption of a few paired with the ignorance and willingness to follow of many.

Factors that led to theCommunist revolution

in 1917.

The weaknessof Czar Nicholas

II

The discontent of the peasants

The discontent of the workers

Opposition of the

Communists

The failure of the Duma

Russian failures in the First World War

The FebruaryRevolution 1917

Rasputin and scandal

Weakness of Tsar Nicholas IIThe ruler of Russia was Tsar Nicholas II. He was an absolute monarch, meaning that he had total power in Russia.

Nicholas was a weak man. He used his secret police, the Okrana, to persecute opponents. Books and newspapers were censored. The Church supported the Czar – the ‘Little Father of the Russian people’.

Nicholas II ruled a vast country that was almost medieval in comparison to other countries. The Tsar’s undemocratic government was a major cause of the revolution.

The discontent of the WorkersIndustrialization began much later in Russia than in Western Europe. Huge iron foundries, textile factories and engineering firms were set up. Most were owned by the government or foreigners, and were located in the big cities such as St Petersburg or Moscow. By 1900 20% of Russians were workers living in cities.

Working conditions in the new industrial towns were hard. Pay was very low. Although strikes and demonstrations were illegal, they often took place. Strikers were frequently shot by the Czar's soldiers or secret police.

‘The whole day we pour out our blood and sweat. Every minute

we are exposed to danger.’

Union leaflet 1898

Why Communism?

A theory that says the government should own the farms and factories for the benefit of all the citizens

Everyone should share the work equally and receive an equal share of the rewards Appealed greatly to many Russians (split between rich and

poor)

Lenin promised that communism would bring fairness and equality to ALL Russians…

WHO WERE THE PEASANTS?

Every scoundrel who incites anyone to retreat or to desertwill be shot!

Every soldier who throws awayhis rifle will be shot!

Leon Trotsky – founder and commander of the Red Army

Every scoundrel who incites anyone to retreat

or to desert will be shot!

Every soldier who throws away his rifle

will be shot!

Time for a Change

Early 1917—there were riots in the streets Women, factory workers, and farmers demanded a change

Groups greatly outnumbered the police & the military could not keep the peace

Czar Nicholas was forced to give up his throne, and a weak government took over Czar & his family were captured

WAS THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION A SUCCESS?

REFERENCES

http://www.slideshare.net/brianbelen/russia-presentation-870593?qid=a2ef2b93-ba55-4bb2-b38a-0f501e2b3269&v=default&

http://www.slideshare.net/MsBuell/russian-revolutionpresentation-no-animation?qid=ec7a1e38-c961-4d57-a145-16802e98e53

http://www.slideshare.net/tboggs/russiaandcommunism