80 likes | 260 Views
Dictatorship in the Soviet Union. Russia under Lenin. Renamed Russia the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR): Soviets or revolutionary councils now held power. Before this, Russian Leader was Vladimir Lenin War Communism: Nationalized Russian Industries
E N D
Russia under Lenin • Renamed Russia the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR): Soviets or revolutionary councils now held power. • Before this, Russian Leader was Vladimir Lenin • War Communism: Nationalized Russian Industries • Did little for economy: Factory production and farming was down. • New Economic Policy: Major industries under govt rule • Heavy industry, communications, transportation, and credit systems. Allowed some free enterprise • Farmlands were landlords. Now split amongst peasants • Collective Farming: Pulled into large farms so they can work in groups. (Share machinery)
Women’s Roles • Men and women should be equal • Equal work than men • Time off from work (Newborn baby) • Easy to get a divorce (Highest in Europe) • Women still received lower pay • Higher rates of unemployment
Education • Hoped to increase literacy rates and teach socialist doctrine in school. • Technical school (Industrial Workers) • Lacked supplies • Closed in winter (No Heat) • Averaged three years in school
Five Year Plan • Lenin dies in 1924: Now between Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin • Trotsky: Marxist belief-Revolution should take place among workers all over the world • Stalin: “Socialism in one country.” After socialism succeeded in Soviet Union, it would spread throughout world. • 1928, Stalin emerged as leader and Trotsky was exiled and eventually murdered under Stalin order.
Stalin returned to Command Economy: • Government controlled all economic decisions (Wanted it to be permanent part of Soviet life). • Five Year Plan established: • Set ambitious agricultural, industrial, and social goals. • Wanted to double production of oil and coal and triple output of steel • Collective farming would hopefully produce enough food for Soviet people as well as surplus for exports. • Government forces people to accept policy • All farms were to merge (Join or Suffer) • Try to keep your land (Executed) • Plan decreased production and millions of people die of famine. • Soviet Economy grew Ex: Steel production increased
Stalin’s Dictatorship • Secret Police: Still a tactic under Stalin • Obey the demands of Communist Party without complaints or face imprisonment or death. • Discouraged religious worship and took over Orthodox. • Churches were destroyed or converted into public buildings. • Ordered execution of many priests, ministers, and rabbis. • Artists, Musicians, and Writers: Government control • Produce works of “Socialist Realism” as proof of loyalty
Government under Stalin • Supreme Soviet: met twice a year • Council of Ministers: held executive and administrative authority. • Looked to be Democratic, but power was in Politburo • (Political Bureau) • Supreme Soviet elected members to Politburo • Stalin controlled Politburo (Complete Authority) • Stalin became even harsher • Purge: large scale elimination • Party members who were supposedly disloyal to him. • Purge included population (Imprisoned for minor offenses). • 1939: 5 million either arrested, deported, imprisoned in labor camps, or executed. • Foreign Policy: Comintern: spread the Communist revolution throughout the world. Worked to overthrow democracies.