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Communism and the Russian Revolution

Communism and the Russian Revolution. Ideology. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” How does this quote reflect the communist ideology?. What is communism?.

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Communism and the Russian Revolution

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  1. Communism and the Russian Revolution

  2. Ideology • “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” • How does this quote reflect the communist ideology?

  3. What is communism? • Karl Marx – private ownership is abolished and replaced by public ownership of the means of production, and only one class exists (the proletariat), thus ending inequality and oppression • Communism/Marxism/Socialism • Encapsulate both governmental structure as well as economic organization • American system • Governmental structure – representative democracy • Economic organization - capitalism

  4. Where’s the beef? • Unjustness of capitalism • Capitalists control means of production, profits • Limit production to keep prices high at the expense of workers • Marx believed this inequality would inevitably lead to an uprising of the workers • After the revolution… • Workers would establish a “dictatorship of the proletariat” • Firm rule by the workers to dismantle the remaining capitalist order

  5. Utopia • Dictatorship would be brief, serving as a transition to a one-class society • Production would increase without capitalists slowing things down • Everyone’s basic needs would be met • Greed and acquisitiveness would end • Individuals would seek to help the whole society and contribute the full extent of their talents to work

  6. From whence it came • Tsar – absolute authority/autocracy • Created massive divide between elites and lower classes • Middle class never really developed • Vast gulf between rich and poor

  7. The Enlightenment • Influence of the West • 1855 – Alexander II came to power • Did not seek to change autocratic hierarchy, but sought organization and productivity • Liberated privately owned serfs (1861) • Liberated state peasants (1866) • Allowed local self-governing councils • Rural (zemstvos) - Road building, education, health • Urban (Dumas) – certain city functions • Loosened censorship, encouraged publishing, universities • Many feel he didn’t go far enough, led to anger and resentment

  8. That’s not all • Industrialization • Discontent with working conditions • Workers organize • Geography • Huge country, many ethnicities and languages • Attempted Russification, led to anger and resentment • Growing literacy among peasants • Tsars focus on territorial expansion and neglect current population

  9. The Nitty Gritty • 1825 – The Decemberists • 1881 – Tsar Alexander II assassinated, Alexander III turns out the ‘light (conservative reaction) • 1894 – Nicolas II becomes tsar • 1905 – Bloody Sunday • 1914 – WWI • 1917 – February (March) Revolution • 1917 – October Revolution

  10. Post-calculus • Civil war • Bolsheviks win • Lenin dies • Battle between Stalin and Trotsky for control • Stalin wins • Collectivization • Industrialization (5 Year Plan) • Purges / Gulag

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