Ideology “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” How does this quote reflect the communist ideology?

What is communism? Karl Marx – private ownership is abolished and replaced by public ownership of the means of production, and only one class exists (the proletariat), thus ending inequality and oppression Communism/Marxism/Socialism Encapsulate both governmental structure as well as economic organization American system Governmental structure – representative democracy Economic organization - capitalism

Where’s the beef? Unjustness of capitalism Capitalists control means of production, profits Limit production to keep prices high at the expense of workers Marx believed this inequality would inevitably lead to an uprising of the workers After the revolution… Workers would establish a “dictatorship of the proletariat” Firm rule by the workers to dismantle the remaining capitalist order

Utopia Dictatorship would be brief, serving as a transition to a one-class society Production would increase without capitalists slowing things down Everyone’s basic needs would be met Greed and acquisitiveness would end Individuals would seek to help the whole society and contribute the full extent of their talents to work

From whence it came Tsar – absolute authority/autocracy Created massive divide between elites and lower classes Middle class never really developed Vast gulf between rich and poor

The Enlightenment Influence of the West 1855 – Alexander II came to power Did not seek to change autocratic hierarchy, but sought organization and productivity Liberated privately owned serfs (1861) Liberated state peasants (1866) Allowed local self-governing councils Rural (zemstvos) - Road building, education, health Urban (Dumas) – certain city functions Loosened censorship, encouraged publishing, universities Many feel he didn’t go far enough, led to anger and resentment

That’s not all Industrialization Discontent with working conditions Workers organize Geography Huge country, many ethnicities and languages Attempted Russification, led to anger and resentment Growing literacy among peasants Tsars focus on territorial expansion and neglect current population

The Nitty Gritty 1825 – The Decemberists 1881 – Tsar Alexander II assassinated, Alexander III turns out the ‘light (conservative reaction) 1894 – Nicolas II becomes tsar 1905 – Bloody Sunday 1914 – WWI 1917 – February (March) Revolution 1917 – October Revolution

Post-calculus Civil war Bolsheviks win Lenin dies Battle between Stalin and Trotsky for control Stalin wins Collectivization Industrialization (5 Year Plan) Purges / Gulag