Totalitarian RussiaCommunism in Action

IntroductionSocialism and communism were the

main ideologies of the Soviet Union, which was what the new government of Russia named itself after the Bolshevik Revolution.

The goal of communism: ◦Empower the Proletariat (working man)◦Weaken the capitalist businessman (guy

who builds businesses and makes money)◦Industry and businesses are controlled by

the people (ends up being the government “for the people.”)

Money and DriveWealth was to be

evenly distributed to the people.

Competition

would be eliminated and everyone would work together.

Instead of owning private property, collectivization (owning property as a group) became the goal of society.

Changing Society

Communism’s goal is to change society. To do this, democracy (voting) and capitalism (earning your own money) are done away with.

It did away with religious beliefs and persecuted believers.

Socialism is…..The economics of communism. The goal is to create an economic

system where everyone shares in the wealth created by business and government owns the businesses for the people’s benefits.

Socialism’s Goal

How Children See It! How Americans Push For It!

Reality of It!

Joseph StalinWhen Lenin died,

Joseph Stalin began working to take over the Soviet Union.

In 1928, he became the leader of the Soviet Union.

He began by exiling his rival Leon Trotsky (who mysteriously was murdered soon thereafter).

Pros and Cons

ProsMade the Soviet

Union an industrial power. 5 Year Plans – heavy industry

increased mainly (military items

and government stuff)

ConsCreated a secret

police to monitor everyone

Censored the newsHeavily relied on

propaganda Consumer goods

(regular people stuff) was not built

as much.

The Great Purge

Even communists were not safe! He put to death thousands of communists he didn’t trust.

Slaughtered the Russian Orthodox Church leaders and killed many believers.

Agriculture Everyone had to give up their

farms. Remember no private ownership was allowed. The government then created huge farms and made people farm them.

People with nice farms who tried to keep their farms were killed.

The economy and educational level in the Soviet Union increased, but people lost their rights.