From Lenin to Stalin The New USSR
Lenin’s Economy NEP- New Economic Policy Allow some small private businesses for profit. (Capitalism) Only temporary, to revitalize economy. Created kulaks- wealthy farmers and business people allowed to venture in capitalism. Lenin dies in 1924.
Rise of Stalin: Leon Trotsky and Josef Stalin struggle for power. Wanted world-wide communist revolution. Wanted to focus on communism in the USSR.
Rise of Stalin: 1927- Trotsky exiled to Siberia, Stalin takes command. 1940- Trotsky assassinated in 1940 in Mexico by Stalin’s agents.
Stalin’s USSR Wanted USSR to be a world power. Developed a command economy- gov’t makes all economic decisions. USSR became wealthy and powerful, but standard of living was very poor. Disliked the NEP. He forced kulaks to give up land and live on collectives- large farms owned and operated by large peasant groups.
Collective farms Soviet propaganda for collective farms:
Stalin’s USSR 1934- Stalin launches the Great Purge: Paranoid that other Soviet leaders were plotting against him. Executed millions he suspected of opposing him- including his own government and military.