Sec 3N Hist (Elec) Chapter 2.1 (part 1): The Soviet Union

From the Russian Empire to the USSR

1. Stalin’s Soviet Union How did Stalin rise from an ordinary revolutionary to be the supreme leader of the Soviet Union?

2. Recall USSR (Russia) was not invited to the Paris Peace Conference as the rest did not trust them They were COMMUNISTS How did Russia become Communist?

3. Map of Russian Empire

4. Russian Empire Very very very LARGE Stretched from Europe to Asia Majority of population were Russian-speaking Small groups of ethnic minorities Ruled by monarchy (Romanov family) for 400 years Ruled by the Tsar – Nicholas II

5. Russian Empire Entered the war in 1914 on the Allies (Britain and France) side By 1917, Russia was struggling with a terrible winter and keeping up with war efforts People were unhappy with the losses of war and poor economic and living conditions They soon lost confidence in the government and the ruler

6. February Revolution 1917 Feb 1917, people started protesting and went on strike Workers refused to work They were joined by the Russian Army

7. February Revolution 1917 Watch this video about the February Revolution

8. February Revolution Lost the support of the people Nicholas II abdicate d (give up power) Provisional Government came to power Workers, soldiers, peasants still unhappy as they wanted change and powers of decision making They formed their own group and called themselves SOVIETS BUT

9. October Revolution Provisional Government had refused to pull Russia out of WW1 Unable to control the revolutionary forces Overthrown by BOLSHEVIKS led by Lenin and Trotsky on 25 th Oct 1917 They wanted the soviets in power

10. Civil War 1917 - 1922 The RED ARMY Created by Bolshevik Government Supported by the peasants More support Better military skills COMMUNIST The WHITES anti-communists

11. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Bolsheviks formally declared themselves USSR in 1922 Bolsheviks change to Communist Party Under Lenin ruled by one-party government

12. Feb 1917 – People unhappy with the Tsar. Protest and Strikes Oct 1917 – People still unhappy. Lenin led Bolsheviks to overthrow government Feb 1917 – Tsar abdicated, Provisional Government took over Oct 1917 – 1922 Civil war. Reds VS Whites. Reds won. Oct 1922 – USSR formed Timeline of events

13. Communism

14. USSR

15. Communism A system of social organisation where ALL property is owned by the COMMUNITY Every person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs. Every one is equal Who are the main supporters of Communism?

16. Karl Marx’s Theory Primitive Communism Shared resources Hunting as a group Tribal, leader is strongest warrior Slave Society Larger population Class appears – ruling class and slave class

17. Karl Marx’s Theory Feudalism Aristocracy – ruled by kings and queens Religious rule Nation-state Capitalism Market economy Private property Wages Parliamentary democracy (secretly controlled by the rich)

18. Karl Marx’s Theory Socialism Workers overthrow capitalists Worker awarded based on contribution COMMUNISM Statelessness Classlessness (everyone work for everyone) Propertylessness

19. Are we transcending into Communism?

20. China

21. North Korea

22. Vietnam and Laos

23. Cuba

24. Feb 1917 – People unhappy with the Tsar. Protest and Strikes Oct 1917 – People still unhappy. Lenin led Bolsheviks to overthrow government Feb 1917 – Tsar abdicated, Provisional Government took over Oct 1917 – 1922 Civil war. Reds VS Whites. Reds won. Oct 1922 – USSR formed Timeline of events

25. USSR (1919-1924 period) Creation of the POLITBURO in 1919 7 people at the top of the Communist Party Key-decision making team Under Lenin and the Politburo, USSR underwent a process of centralisation and bureaucratisation By 1924, centralised one-party authoritarian government

26. Centralisation Politburo

27. USSR The Communist Party controlled ALL aspects of government Nationalisation and control of key industries, agriculture and railway systems Think: Is Nationalisation a good or bad system? Why?

28. USSR Measures made to ensure complete control Cheka (Secret police) Banned opposition parties, members arrested Controlled media through state-run newspaper Pravda Banned newspapers that criticised the state