The Soviet Union Controlled by Joseph Stalin

V.I. Lenin ( ) “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.” New Economic Policy (N.E.P.) New Economic Policy (N.E.P.) March 1921 March 1921 Limited economic freedom - capitalism Limited economic freedom - capitalism Successful Successful 1926: industrial output surpassed 1913 levels as well as increases in grain production 1926: industrial output surpassed 1913 levels as well as increases in grain production Increased standard of living for workers and peasants Increased standard of living for workers and peasants Stroke in political power vacuum created Stroke in political power vacuum created Stalin vs. Trotsky Stalin vs. Trotsky

After Lenin died Stalin and Trotsky vied for power Leon Trotsky

Trotsky = Lenin’s intellectual friend. Stalin = Lenin’s “strong arm man”. Stalin = Socialism in one country Trotsky = Permanent Revolution Many thought Trotsky too idealistic & chose Stalin as new Leader

Josef Stalin ( ) Basics: Stalin consolidates power Stalin consolidates power 5 Year Plan (1928) - government economic planning 5 Year Plan (1928) - government economic planning Emphasis on heavy industry - agriculture Emphasis on heavy industry - agriculture Collectivization (1929) Collectivization (1929) Creation of state farms Creation of state farms War against kulaks - wealthy peasants War against kulaks - wealthy peasants Industrialization - spectacular achievement Industrialization - spectacular achievement 4X amount produced in 1937 as X amount produced in 1937 as 1928

Stalin: AlcoholicPervertObsessiveParanoid

“Accomplishments” under Stalin: A) The 5-year Plans. To make needed advances in industry, Stalin gives factory operators 5 years to increase productivity. Good results: expansion does occur / rewards for success.

Problems with the 5-year plans: higher production accomplished with lower quality. Standard of living did not rise! No private property/profit motive… failure to meet goals results in death: created fear

B) Collectivization - Collectives are formed when private property is lost (remember the mirs?) Good: Overall, more food is produced. Bad: Lots of resistance to the collectives - Kulaks (Killing animals, burning crops, destroying tools, sustenance farming)

Re: Kulaks - “liquidate them as a class” Take all food from these areas and starve them! Stalin killed over 20 million before WWII!!! Other bad stuff with his food production: ecology damage, no profits made & droughts. Stalin ’ s response:

C) Elimination of religion. Russian Orthodox out, Atheism in Marx felt that organized religion encouraged capitalism (Remember the Weber Thesis?) D) “Cult of Personality” put into place by Stalin & enforced with KGB & control of the press

Stalin was also known for his purges: Purges in the Communist Party. Distrust of almost everyone w/ power. Purges in the Military. The military was the only group that could possibly overthrow him.

Life in the Soviet Union Life in the Soviet Union Stagnant standard of living Stagnant standard of living Lack of consumer goods Lack of consumer goods Lack of housing Lack of housing Life hard but workers did received pensions, medical care, education Life hard but workers did received pensions, medical care, education Education key to advancement Education key to advancement Incentives to skilled workers and managers Incentives to skilled workers and managers Women - gains in equality in the work place Women - gains in equality in the work place Culture - propaganda Culture - propaganda Glorification of Stalin Glorification of Stalin Art glorifies the state Art glorifies the state Great Purges (1930s) - Communist Party Great Purges (1930s) - Communist Party 8 Million arrested/executed 8 Million arrested/executed