The revolutionary leaders
During the Russian Revolution, there were two major leaders who brought extreme revolutionary change to Russia, and led the revolution. These two men were Vladimir Lenin and his successor Joseph Stalin.
Vladimir Lenin
Rise to power
Vladimir Lenin first gained power in his leadership of the Bolsheviks. Being extremely radical, hard to oppose, and promising a better lifestyle for peasants (the majority of Russia), Lenin quickly gained more power.
Lenin became known as the Father of Russian Communism in 1870, as he became the first to actually use a form of communism in any nation. The imperfect form of communism he used is known as Leninism. Leninism is Marxism, reworked to entice nationalistic feeling throughout Russia and fit to the Russian culture. The ultimate goal of Leninism, like Marxism, is a classless society: communism.
After sparking a "revolutionary nationalism of the poor," by promising the division of land and equality for the lower class, Lenin set about his goal: overthrowing the government and giving power to the proletariat (the workers). By doing this, Lenin could create a Dictatorship of the Proletarian, in which the government has no autocratic ruler, but the political power is held through local councils: soviets.
Lenin became known as the Father of Russian Communism in 1870, as he became the first to actually use a form of communism in any nation. The imperfect form of communism he used is known as Leninism. Leninism is Marxism, reworked to entice nationalistic feeling throughout Russia and fit to the Russian culture. The ultimate goal of Leninism, like Marxism, is a classless society: communism.
After sparking a "revolutionary nationalism of the poor," by promising the division of land and equality for the lower class, Lenin set about his goal: overthrowing the government and giving power to the proletariat (the workers). By doing this, Lenin could create a Dictatorship of the Proletarian, in which the government has no autocratic ruler, but the political power is held through local councils: soviets.
Involvement in the Russian revolution
On October 24th, 1917, Lenin achieved his goal of seizing power and removing the existing provisional government. His reforms that followed his seize of power were based off of the slogan promise he made to the peasants:
"Peace Land and Bread"
Lenin wasted no time in creating reforms for Russia, and quickly removed Russia from WWI by creating peace terms with Germany. Shortly following, Lenin divided all farmland and distributed it to the peasants, and, as he wanted, gave the political power to the Soviets: The Dictatorship of the Proletariat. While Lenin's reforms had been appealing to the lower class, who had nothing, they certainly were not accepted by the upper class, who was having things taken away from them. This dispute between Lenin's reforms led to a Civil War in 1918, between the White Army: the loyalists, and the Red Army: the Bolsheviks. In 1920, the red Army won, and the Russian Economy was shattered.
In an attempt to restore order in Russia, Lenin started the program: New Socialist Order (NSO). This program failed because the equality in economics did not work; as where there is no competition, there is also no effort. In result to this failure, Lenin established CHEKA, a secret police force. CHEKA's job was to restore the order and keep resisters in constant effort. Lenin then used a second attempt at restoration: the New Economy Policy (NEP). This policy fixed the problems in NSO and brought a small amount of Capitalism into play, to create a competition in the economy. NEP succeeded in boosting the economy.
Lenin establishes a lasting impact
Knowing that he had to prepare for a lasting system, that would work in his absence, Lenin divised self-governing republics, in which the loyal Soviets would govern. This system is known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or the USSR. In establishing this system, Lenin also moved Russia's capital back to Moscow, and renamed the party name Bolsheviks to the Communist Party. Lenin's system proved very efficient, as after he died in 1924 from strokes, the system continued to run smoothly with no successor until 1928.
The importance of Lenin
Lenin is an extremely important figure in the Russian Revolution. Not only was he the first person in history to actually use communism in the world, but he started the revolution (being the leader of the Bolsheviks), and led a great deal of it. Knowing that Lenin is the leader of the revolution, and understanding the impact he made makes up a big chunk of the unit, as several of the major events occurred under his rule. Lenin created such loyalty, that his system of government ran smoothly for years in his absence. Lenin's system also set up the stage for his successor: Stalin, and many others to come. Many of Lenin's reforms and actions still impact Russia and the world today. It is important to recognize a strong leader, and study his methods that are so successful.
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Joseph Stalin
Stalin gains power
After Vladimir Lenin died, revolutionary supporters Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky became bitter enemies as they challenged each other for the power of the Communist Party Stalin once possessed. Whoever was the successor would determine the future course of this group and the Soviet Union. Who would it be; Trotsky, the leader of the red army and Lenin' s choice, or Stalin, the secretary of the communist party.
In 1928, four years after Lenin died, Stalin finally won the support of the communist party. Stalin, being known as paranoid, quiet, ruthless, and ambitious, quickly set his aims on chaining the government to control every aspect of life: a Totalitarian rule, beginning with the execution of rival Leon Trotsky.
In 1928, four years after Lenin died, Stalin finally won the support of the communist party. Stalin, being known as paranoid, quiet, ruthless, and ambitious, quickly set his aims on chaining the government to control every aspect of life: a Totalitarian rule, beginning with the execution of rival Leon Trotsky.
Stalins IDEOLOGY
Stalin had several large goals to achieve during his leadership of Russia. Of those goals included establishing socialism in one country, centralizing the soviet economy to command the economy, dramatically increasing industrialization, and establishing a sense of extreme discipline and loyalty throughout the country.
Politically speaking, Stalin, like Lenin, had a vision for Russia. This vision, however, was much different from before. Stalin wanted to establish a form of Totalitarianism: in which the government has compete control over the lives of each citizen. Stalins form of Totalitarianism became known as Stalinism: in which he could use total power to create an incentive to meet better industrialization, motivate his workers, and promote his goals.
Politically speaking, Stalin, like Lenin, had a vision for Russia. This vision, however, was much different from before. Stalin wanted to establish a form of Totalitarianism: in which the government has compete control over the lives of each citizen. Stalins form of Totalitarianism became known as Stalinism: in which he could use total power to create an incentive to meet better industrialization, motivate his workers, and promote his goals.
two five-year plans
In order to achieve Stalin's major goal of dramatically increasing industrialization and economics, Stalin created two "five year plans," in which he established programs in hopes to better the industry of Russia over the course of five years.
The first plan took place over the course of 1928 to 1932, and was established to solely increase the industry. Stalin achieved this by limiting the production of consumer goods, and increasing production of military and industrial goods. Agricultural production was also increased using "collective farming."
The second plan took place immediately after the first one, from 1933 to 1938. This plan focused more on the production of consumer goods, and being more successful brought the USSR almost level with Europe. This plan was more successful because it focused on the specialization of workers to increase consumer goods. These trained workers became more skillful in their own areas, and were capable of producing more in less time, and bringing great benefits.
The first plan took place over the course of 1928 to 1932, and was established to solely increase the industry. Stalin achieved this by limiting the production of consumer goods, and increasing production of military and industrial goods. Agricultural production was also increased using "collective farming."
The second plan took place immediately after the first one, from 1933 to 1938. This plan focused more on the production of consumer goods, and being more successful brought the USSR almost level with Europe. This plan was more successful because it focused on the specialization of workers to increase consumer goods. These trained workers became more skillful in their own areas, and were capable of producing more in less time, and bringing great benefits.
stalins famous purges
Stalins leadership became well-known for his obsessive paranoia. Scared and constantly worried that the old Bolsheviks would want their power back, Stalin went as far as to attempting to extinguish any and all conspirators/enemies (this included any communist part members, Bolsheviks, members of the read armies, and accused sabotages). The most famous time period, with a surprising amount of these extensive trials and executions, occurred from 1936 to 1938 in what is known as "The Great Purge."
Purge: to purify; to get rid of a specific group
Along with Stalin's extravagant purges, his paranoia led him to creating the GULAG prison system. Like the purges, this system was designed to extremely punish any citizen who made even the smallest action that seemed to be against the government and its security. The GULAG system stands for The Chief Administration of Corrective Labor Camps and Colonies, and over the course of 1934-1953, approximately two million people died there. The most notorious camp out of the four-hundred and seventy-six camps was Siberia.
The importance of stalin
Stalin is a very important revolutionary leader to note in the Russian Revolution, as he (like Lenin) led a major part of the Revolution, and was the dictator for all the actions that occurred during his long reign. Stalin has effected Russia in several ways, and should be recognized in that he brought Russia "up-to-par" with European industry. Stalin's form of Totalitarianism also gives another example of how different systems work in the real world, and it is important to note what is good and bad in each different format. Lastly, Stalins actions set the stage for the second part of our unit; the second tier of the Russian Revolution, and will foreshadow what actions happen next.