Rise of Dictatorships The Soviet Union

Imperial Russia Pre-WWI Prior to WWI, Russia was a monarchy, ruled by the Romanov Dynasty. The Russian rulers were known as czars, the Russian equivalent of the word caesar. The Czar of Russia at the time was Nicholas II. Nicholas II, last czar of Russia

Imperial Russia Pre-WWI The Russian people were not satisfied with Czarist rule, and prior to the war there were many who agitated for more self-government in Russia. As WWI began, Russia entered the war on the side of the Allies (Britain, France) against the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire). WWI did not go well for the Russians. They suffered many casualties, especially after the twin defeats of Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes.

Vladimir Lenin The Germans, sensing that Russia was weak at this point, helped send Vladimir Lenin to Russia, hoping he would cause trouble. Lenin had been a proponent of communism and an enemy of the czar before the war who had been exiled. Upon his return, he helped lead the Russian Revolution which established the Soviet Union.

Russian Revolution of 1917 The Revolution was led by Lenin, and was successful in overthrowing the Czar and setting up a new government. The Russian Empire became the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or the USSR. It was to be a country led by communist ideals, a worker’s paradise. In this new state, there was no room for royalty; Nicholas II and the entire royal family (his wife, and their 5 children) were executed by firing squad.

Early years of the Soviet Union Upon Lenin’s death in 1924, Joseph Stalin came to power. His goal was the creation of a model communist state. The goals of this state were agricultural and industrial growth. All private farms were abolished and replaced with collectives — large government-owned farms, each worked by hundreds of families.

Joseph Stalin

Soviet Union under Stalin’s rule Wanted to transform USSR from a backward rural nation into a great industrial power. Towards this end, created what were known as “Five-year plans” to direct industrialization. All economic activity was placed under state control. By 1937, the USSR had become the world’s 2nd largest industrial power, surpassed only by the USA.

The cost of industrialization In his attempt to modernize the Soviet Union, Stalin was ruthless and did away with anyone who he thought opposed his power. The 1st people that fell victim to his policies were the kulaks, independent farmers. When collectivization began, these people were forced off their farms to work for the state. Those that did not comply were executed.

The cost of industrialization Stalin also executed or imprisoned all his political enemies. One of the first people to fall under this category was Leon Trotsky, a fellow communist who Stalin had outmaneuvered to become Lenin’s successor. Trotsky fled Russia, first to Paris, and then eventually Mexico City. He was assassinated in 1940 by one of Stalin’s agents, stabbed to death with an ice pick.

The Great Purge In the late 1930’s, Stalin secured his power and position by killing off many people in high level positions, including many who had been leaders of the Russian Revolution. The trials given to these people were a sham, their confessions of guilt tortured out of them. One result of this purge was that many of the Soviet Union’s best military minds were killed, a situation which left the state vulnerable in case of foreign invasion.

The Holodomor During the years 1932-1933, the Ukraine, a territory of the Soviet Union, suffered from widespread famine and malnutrition. There was no reason for this famine however, because the Ukraine is the breadbasket of the Soviet Union. However, the government was collecting all the food for storage and not distributing it properly to the populace. As a result, millions (approx. 2-10) died from starvation. There were reports of widespread cannibalism in fact. Scholars still argue today whether the Holodomor was a planned genocide or not, though several countries officially recognize it as such.

Countries which recognize the Holodomor as a genocide

The Holodomor

Totalitarian State In total, Stalin was responsible for the death of some 8 to 13 millions people. Millions more died in famine caused by trying to collectivize and industrialize the Soviet Union at such a breakneck pace. His establishment of the NKVD, a secret police, also led the people of the Soviet Union to live in fear for their lives. The state was firmly in control of every aspect of its citizens lives. Thus, the Soviet Union is known as a totalitarian state.

Effect on Communism in the USA After watching the sham trials of the late 30’s, many American communist began to desert the party. It was also quite evident that even though the Soviet Union espoused communist ideals, it was not living up to them. Stalin and his favorites had all the power while the life of the average peasant was hardly any better than it had been under the rule of the Czars.