Communist Revolutions in
Russia and China
Before the revolutions – monarchs from a long lasting dynasty
• QING – 1644-1912
• Romanov Tsars – 1300s to 1918
PROBLEMS – economic, social class tensions, rebellions
Revolution part 1 – Dynasty fell and a provisional government took over
Problems continue, Provisional government fails, radicals gain power
Civil War –
-Socialism –
The means of production (businesses and services) are owned by the ―public‖ and operated for the good of all. The government controls key industries and thus parts of the economy.
-Marxism / Communism -
A radical type of socialism based upon the belief that:
the working class majority would unite and forcibly take the political and economic power from the wealthy minority—who took advantage of them.
The working class would then control the government, industry and agriculture.
Worker councils would govern ―democratically‖. Goods and services, profits and benefits would be shared equally. Eventually, a classless society would develop.
Russian Revolution &
Communist Russia
Russia = Soviet Union = USSR
THE FALL of TSAR’s Government PROBLEMS in Russia:
lack of freedom, poor leadership, major economic problems, & food shortages.
EVENTS that challenged the Tsar’s authority: westernization, defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, “Bloody Sunday”, 1905 Revolution, & losses during World War I.
Stages of Russian Revolution1916-1917
Soldiers, rural and urban workers, & intelligentsia lead protests.
Bloodless Revolution in March 1917: the Tsar abdicated the throne and a PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT was set up.
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT failed as
Russian losses in WWI and economic
problems continued
Radical movements gained support and
momentum.
The BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION
1917 The Bolsheviks (one of the
radical communist groups) and their
leader, Vladmir LENIN, gained
enough support and power to seize
control of the government “on behalf
of the people”
The BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION
CIVIL WAR:
1918 - 1920
Civil War began as forces against the communists fought back.
CIVIL WAR:
1918 - 1920
The Tsar and his
family were
executed before
the communists
won and took
complete control of
the country.
COMMUNIST RULE
Land was
redistributed
Industrialization
Women gained
status
Military was built
The Great Terror 1937-38
• Arrests - about 7 million
• Executions - about 1
million
• In prison or camps in
late 1938 - about 9
million
• Died in camps - about 2
million
Psycho!
“To choose one’s victims, to prepare one’s plan, to quench a strong desire for vengeance, and then to go to bed . . .there is nothing sweeter in the world.”
Josef Stalin
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