The Soviet Union is about to get a new leader – one so scary that even Lenin warns NOT to let him take over… INTERWAR YEARS
Russia Revisited Recap: Russia- In 1917 the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin set up first Communist government Lenin dies in 1924
A Warning "Comrade Stalin, having become General Secretary, has concentrated enormous power in his hands: and I am not sure that he always knows how to use that power with sufficient caution. I therefore propose to our comrades to consider a means of removing Stalin from this post and appointing someone else who differs from Stalin in one weighty respect: being more tolerant, more loyal, more polite, more considerate of his comrades." – Lenin just before his death
Joseph Stalin Stalin takes over Transformed Russia to a Totalitarian State – a government that takes total control over every aspect of public and private life. At first, gave a sense of security and a direction for the future.
Leadership Created a command economy – a system in which the government makes all economic decisions Command every aspect of the workers life 5 Year Plans rapid industrial growth to strengthen defense above the needs of the people for food, housing and clothing Secret Police imprisoned or executed anyone who did not contribute.
Life under Stalin Collective Farms – government seized privately owned farms and combined them into large, government-owned farms All production goes to the state. Ukraine famine: Holodomor – millions starved Terror and violence used to force workers who resisted Thousands executed or sent to work camps called the Gulag.
Millions Murdered Built his totalitarian state by destroying enemies Censorship Religious Persecution Great Purge A campaign of terror against Communist Party members 8-13 million deaths This is what happened to Stalin's enemies – now you see him – now you DON’T!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ajqk875Xu0 Video link