The first communist revolution occurred

in Russia in 1917. Vladimir

Lenin wasthe first dictator

of this new social order,of this new

Soviet Union.

After Lenin’s death, there was astruggle in the Communist Partyto see who the next dictator of the Soviet Union would be.

Through political machination andcunning, Joseph Stalin succeededLenin as the new leader of the Soviet Union.

Stalin had used his position as General Secretary of the Communist

Party to gain power.

Stalin controlled all

politicalappointments

and over time, everyone who

counted for anything owed their position to

Stalin.

After Lenin’s death in 1924, Stalinremoved all of his enemies frompositions of power. His purgesor executions of enemies ensuredhis complete power over the Communist Party and the nation!

Stalin also established gulags orforced labor camps for enemiesof his policies or ideas.

While ensuring his absolute powerover the Communist Party and thestate, Stalin set about changingthe Soviet economy.

Stalin implemented a series of five-year plans to rapidly industrializethe Soviet Union.

By 1939, only Germany and the United States outranked the Sovietsin industrial capacity.

Land was taken from peasants

and a period of

collectivization

of agriculture began. Farmswere owned

by communities

notindividuals.

Peasants hated the loss of individualcontrol over agriculture. Sometimesthey burned their crops. Famineresulted.

Stalin’s rule was the rule of a totalitarian dictator. Completegovernment control of productionand ideas resulted. The freeexchange of ideas was not permitted.

Yes, Stalin changed life in the SovietUnion. He increased industrial production while facing resistance among farmers. Heincreased literacy rates while restricting the free exchange ofinformation.

Yes, Stalin changed

life in the Soviet

Union and ordered

theexecutions of many Soviets.