Transcript Stalin and Totalitarianism in the Soviet Union

What is up Today
• Do now
• Summarize the
main events from
the Russian
Revolution.
75 words
• Bolshevik Lecture
and Notes
• Vocabulary,
Revolution
Timeline, Interact
with History and
Book work sheet
are all due.
Do Not Shout out your answer!
Please write it in your Notebook.
In 1917, a train travels from Switzerland,
guarded heavily—armored, shuttered, guarded
by soldiers with orders to shoot to kill anyone
who approached the train too closely. The train
will make its way through Germany. Its
eventual destination is Tsarist Russia. It carries
a weapon that Germany hopes will knock the
Russians out of World War One.
What is it?
Answer:
Vladimir Lenin
Lenin was isolated in Switzerland during the
beginning of World War I.
A Swiss Communist convinced the German
government to send Lenin safely to Russia on a sealed
train.
The German government hoped that Lenin would
provoke political unrest in his homeland, forcing
Russia to surrender to the Germans, which would
allow Germany to pull troops away from the Eastern
Front to focus on the war in the Western Front.
ANARCHY
When there is no
government and
people are
completely free, we
have anarchy.
Because people want
some safety and
protection in their
lives, they agree to
be governed in
exchange for order
(rules that keep
criminals in line).
Tyranny
Those in power begin
to abuse that power
and cause pain and
suffering for the
people.
The people can either
take it, leave or revolt.
Revolution
Those who seek freedom from tyranny plot to
remove it. If their revolution fails, the pain and
hardship is sure to worsen. If it succeeds, the
result is often no better – and sometimes actually
worse than the tyranny.
The Second Congo War or
African World War. 5.4 million dead.
Factions
(competing
groups)
No one is in control and the people who started the
revolution can’t decide what to do. Groups begin to
compete for power.
This can be quick or last for years and bring a lot of
violence and poverty.
For most of human history,
people have been forced to
choose between tyranny and
anarchy. But is it possible to
balance freedom and
government?
People do not make revolutions eagerly any more
than they do war. There is this difference,
however, that in war compulsion plays the
decisive role, in revolution there is no compulsion
except that of circumstances.
---Trotsky, The History of the Russian Revolution
Do you think the people of Russia supported the
revolution because of ideology (political way of
thinking) or circumstance (things that affect daily life:
food, jobs, etc.)?
Would you ever support a revolution?
Did the Russian Revolution answer the human
predicament?
 Bloody Sunday – January 22, 1905
Workers strike, peaceful march to Winter Palace in
Petrograd/St. Petersburg with list of grievances
Soldiers guarding palace fire into crowd
Czar Nicholas is not at the palace at the time but is blamed
for the loss of life, loss of authority with people
 Entrance into WWI – Aug. 1, 1914
Nicholas attempted peace with “Nicky-Willy Letters”
War begins, despite some wins, massive losses in War
Nicholas thought his presence would boost moral and went to
command troops after loss of Poland.
Left government in hands of Alexandra.
 Gossip
People did not trust Alexandra because she was German
Alexandra believed Rasputin had healing powers
Rumors of a romance between the two filled newspapers
Duma constantly calling for political reforms
Name an event from the
reign of Tsar Nicholas and
explain how it weakened his
ability to rule.
February Revolution — Cast of Characters
Bolshevik Agitators
WWI
High Price and Lack of Food
Striking Workers
WWI Devastating for Russian Economy
Food in short supply
By Jan. 1917, prices increased by six times
Workers Demonstrate in Streets
Demanded Food, Higher Wages
Fueled by Bolshevik Agitators
Nicholas Orders Troops to Suppress Disorder
Some troops fire on demonstrators, others join demonstration
Duma suggests Tsar abdicate to more popular royal
No one wants throne
On March 1, 1917, Nicholas abdicates throne to a Provisional
Government
During the early morning hours of July 17, 1918, the Tsar, his
wife, children and servants and dog were herded into the cellar
of their prison house and executed.
What happened when Nicholas
tried to suppress the workers’
uprising with military force during
the February Revolution?
Provisional Government
On July 8, 1917, Kerensky becomes head of Provisional Gov.
Refused to end war
Tried to begin new offensive
Soldiers began to desert
By fall of 1917, estimated 2 million men had unofficially left
the army
Kerensky Cracks Down on Bolsheviks
Calls for arrest of leaders like Lenin
Military Generals plan coup, Bolsheviks help fend off coup
Kerensky orders destruction of Bolshevik news paper, cuts off
telephone to headquarters
Lenin and Trotsky Urge Action
“Bread, Peace, Land”
Take the land from the landowners and the factories from the
factory owners.
Who should seize power?
“At present this is not important. Let the Military Revolutionary Committee
seize it, or "some other institution" which declares that it will relinquish the
power only to the real representatives of the interests of the people, the
interests of the Army (immediate offer of peace), the interests of the peasants
(take the land immediately, abolish private property), the interests of the
hungry.”
Vladimir Lenin, October 24, 1917
On October 11, 1917, orders given for Bolsheviks to occupy
railway stations, telephone exchange and state bank
The next day, the Red Guard surrounded White Palace, most of
the political cabinet inside.
Bolsheviks fired on the palace, no damage, but convinced those
inside to surrender
Gov. surrendered to Soviet Council of People’s Commissars
Lenin elected chairman
Peace Treaty with Germany and Russia leaves WWI
In Lenin’s motto, “Bread,
Land, Peace,” what did he
want to happen with the
land?
Lenin’s Economic Plan
Civil War
Over two years between Soviet Council of People’s
Commissars (changed name to Communist Party) Red Guard
and White Army loyal to former government
Brutality on both sides, high cost of food
Communists alienate people with dictator-like methods
Rebellion by previously loyal naval forces
Small Concessions to End Civil War
To make supply and production more regular by some
reintroduction of free market system.
Stalin’s Rise to Power
Joseph Stalin
Lenin’s Death
Stalin already member of Central Committee
Lenin did not like Stalin’s style and wanted him removed as
General Secretary; Lenin died before any action could be taken
Ouster of Trotsky
Trotsky favored to take over for Lenin
Stalin allied with three others to force Trotsky out
By late 1920s, Stalin was the effective dictator of the Soviet Union
Killed people he considered “enemies of the people”
Great Terror of 1930s, execution of thousands, exile of millions to
gulag slave labor camps
Stalin was one of our allies during WWII
How did Stalin rise to
power instead of
Leon Trotsky?
Stalin and Totalitarianism in
the Soviet Union
“One of the Most Successful
Dictatorships in the World.”
• From 1927 until his death in 1953, Joseph Stalin
became the Soviet Union’s most powerful and most
feared leader.
• During his rule he introduced a series of policies
which helped make the USSR the second most
powerful country in the world (at the time).
• Stalin’s rule went beyond simple dictatorship. His
style of rule over the Soviet people was called
TOTALITARIANISM.
Total Control Over All Aspects of Peoples’
Lives = Totalitarianism
7 Characteristics of
Totalitarianism
5. Secret
police use
terror to control
people.
7. A strong
6. Economy is
controlled by
the
government.
military
protects the
dictator and
carries out
his/her goals.
1. The people must
follow the leaders
beliefs without
question.
2. No political opposition is
allowed (one party rule).
3. Propaganda is used to
get the peoples’ support.
4. The appearance of
democracy is cultivated.
1. Follow My Lead … My Ideas … Or
Else …
• During his reign over the
Soviet Union, Stalin’s
word was law.
• He decided how the
people should live, what
they should think, and
what they should believe.
• The people had to accept
his ideals completely,
believe in them like a
faith, and live by them
without exception.
“Long Live the Great
Stalin!”
2. One Party Rule
• Stalin allowed only THE
COMMUNIST PARTY to
exist and function in the
Soviet Union.
• No one else was allowed
to challenge the
Communists or Stalin as
the absolute ruler of the
USSR.
• The Communist Party
existed to serve Stalin’s
needs, not those of the
Soviet people. He quickly
turned the Party into a
mechanism for controlling
the people.
3. Use of Propaganda
• Every form of
communication is used to
secure the peoples’
support for the ideas of
the dictator.
• Schools, literature, the
arts, mass media,
parades, military
demonstration, speeches,
and so on taught that
Stalin’s ideas were the
only ones to believe.
• History was often
“rewritten” to reflect
Stalin’s goals.
Examples of Propaganda … Posters
“We Do Like
Stachanov!”
Lenin Lived,
Lenin is Alive,
Lenin Will Live
“We will reign a
generation
selflessly loyal to
Communism”
More Posters
“Study the Great
Party’s Way of
Lenin and Stalin”
Glory to the
Worker and
Peasant Red Army
– Guardian of
Soviet Borders
Briskly, full speed
ahead. Complete 5
year commitments
in 4 years.
Propaganda in Sculpture
Vasily Yezkov Destroyed 12
German Tanks before being
killed. He was made a Hero
of the Soviet Union in 1944.
Propaganda in Song … National
tempests the
Anthems Through
sunrays of freedom have
The Hymn of the Soviet Union
Unbreakable Union of freeborn Republics,
Great Russia has welded forever to stand.
Created in struggle by will of the people,
United and mighty, our Soviet land!
Sing to the Motherland, home of the free,
Bulwark of peoples in brotherhood strong.
O Party of Lenin,
the strength of the people,
To Communism's triumph lead us on!
cheered us,
Along the new path
where great Lenin did
lead.
To a righteous cause he
raised up the peoples,
Inspired them to labor
and valorous deed.
[Or, the old way: Be true
to the people, thus Stalin
has reared us, Inspire us
to labor and valorous
deed!]
Sing to the Motherland,
home of the free,
Bulwark of peoples in
brotherhood strong.
the strength of the people,
History
To Communism's triumph lead us
on!
•The hymn was presented
for the first time in January
1st 1944
In the vict'ry of Communism's
deathless ideal,
We see the future of our dear land.
And to her fluttering scarlet banner,
O Party of Lenin,
Selflessly true we always shall
stand!
•Lyrics were revised in 1977. J.V. Stalin's
name was removed.
•After collapse of the USSR Russia adopted
a new National Anthem without any lyrics. It
never gained any popularity.
•It was oficially adopted as
a national hymn of the
USSR in March 15th 1944.
•Music was composed by
A. V. Aleksandrov (1883 1946)
•Lyrics were written by
Sergey Vladimirovich
Mikhalkov ( born 1913. He
is also known as a writer
especially for stories for
children and as father of the
famous film maker Nikita
Mikhalkov) and G.G. ElRegistan
4. The Dictator Attempts to Show that his
Government is Democratic
For the Motherland, For
Stalin, For Communism,
For World Peace!
• Under Stalin the Soviet
Union had the appearance
of being a democracy.
• It had a constitution
outlining the peoples’
rights, courts of law, and an
“elected” government.
• Stalin encouraged people
to vote but since there was
often only one candidate
on the ballot and no
political opposition was
allowed, it makes sense
why Stalin could claim that
99% of the votes always
went to the Communists!
5. The Secret Police Use
Terror to Control the People
“Iron” Felix
Dzerzhinsky
The first leader of the
Cheka or Soviet Secret
Police KGB!!!!
• Stalin’s secret police
worked quietly – people
who disagreed with him
(or who he considered a
threat) were arrested in
the middle of the night,
tortured, found guilty, and
sent to Siberia, prison, or
put to death.
6. The Economy is Controlled and
Owned by the State
• Stalin controlled all parts of
the economy.
• He wanted to achieve the
goal of establishing a strong
foundation for Communism
in the USSR.
• People could not own land
or any other property as an
individual.
• The state/government
owned everything and you
had to work for them.
• All decisions about the
economy were centrally
controlled from Moscow.
Stalin’s
Five Year
Plans For
the
Economy
We’ll give for the building
of Socialism in 1931 … 8
million tons of Raw Iron
7. A Strong Military Exists to Protect the
Dictator and to Carry Out Their Goals
•
Stalin increased the power of
the military to defend the USSR
from foreign invaders.
• He was interested in expanding
Communism to other parts of
the world and did so in Eastern
Europe.
• He used the military to carry
out his imperialistic goals.
• Stalin increased the
power of the military to
defend the USSR from
foreign invaders.
•He was interested in
expanding Communism to
other parts of the world and
did so in Eastern Europe.
•He used the military to
carry out his
imperialistic goals.