Communist Revolutions in

Russia and China

Before the revolutions – monarchs from a long lasting dynasty

• QING – 1644-1912

• Romanov Tsars – 1300s to 1918

PROBLEMS – economic, social class tensions, rebellions

Revolution part 1 – Dynasty fell and a provisional government took over

Problems continue, Provisional government fails, radicals gain power

Civil War –

-Socialism –

The means of production (businesses and services) are owned by the ―public‖ and operated for the good of all. The government controls key industries and thus parts of the economy.

-Marxism / Communism -

A radical type of socialism based upon the belief that:

the working class majority would unite and forcibly take the political and economic power from the wealthy minority—who took advantage of them.

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

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

Russian Revolution &

Communist Russia

Russia = Soviet Union = USSR

THE FALL of TSAR’s Government PROBLEMS in Russia:

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

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

Stages of Russian Revolution1916-1917

Soldiers, rural and urban workers, & intelligentsia lead protests.

Bloodless Revolution in March 1917: the Tsar abdicated the throne and a PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT was set up.

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT failed as

Russian losses in WWI and economic

problems continued

Radical movements gained support and

momentum.

The BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION

1917 The Bolsheviks (one of the

radical communist groups) and their

leader, Vladmir LENIN, gained

enough support and power to seize

control of the government “on behalf

of the people”

The BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION

CIVIL WAR:

1918 - 1920

Civil War began as forces against the communists fought back.

CIVIL WAR:

1918 - 1920

The Tsar and his

family were

executed before

the communists

won and took

complete control of

the country.

COMMUNIST RULE

Land was

redistributed

Industrialization

Women gained

status

Military was built

The Great Terror 1937-38

• Arrests - about 7 million

• Executions - about 1

million

• In prison or camps in

late 1938 - about 9

million

• Died in camps - about 2

million

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