3. Russian History pt. 1
Tsars--Gorbachev

4. Main Periods of Russian History
Long autocratic rule by the tsars—Different families ruled from the 14th-early 20th centuries
20th century rule by communist party—
Abrupt regime change in 1991—Follows collapse of Soviet Union

5. The Communist Revolution of 1917
Tsar Nicholas II—Failed leadership in World War I, (overthrown mid-war) unpopular because of extreme poverty among peasants
Russia—Not very industrialized, which made it an unlikely place for a communist revolution
Leader of the Revolution—V.I. Lenin and the Bolsheviks

7. Lenin and the Bolsheviks
Lenin believed a small ____________ should lead the revolution, not a massive peasant uprising
Democratic Centralism
In 1917, he overthrew the tsar, and Russia became The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
1924…

8. Lenin dies!

9. Joseph Stalin Stalin—Literally means “man of steel”
Was the General Secretary from
Made the Communist Party at the center of power, outlawed all other parties
Politburo—12 men, made all decisions for USSR

11. Stalinism—Collectivization and Industrialization
Abolished private ownership
Collective Farms—Supposed to grow food to feed the growing industrialized masses
Gulags—Forced labor camps for anyone who didn’t like the farms
5 Year Plans—Ambitious plans to build lots of heavy machinery and industrialize Russia

12. Stalin’s Legacy
Complete totalitarianism in the largest country on earth.
Collectivization and industrializing carried out by central government planning
The Purges—Killed MILLIONS AT A TIME in executions of anyone he thought was a threat MULTIPLE TIMES

13. Reform
Khruschev (1950’s)—Began deStalinization by loosening censorship and decentralizing decisions
Also escalated Cold War
Several leaders later…

14. Gorbachev! By this time, USSR was close to economic ruin
Glasnost--Openness
More discussion of political, economic, and social issues
Criticism of the government allowed
Some Soviet republics immediately wanted independence

15. Gorbachev! Democratization—Wanted to keep Communist Party control, but
Created Congress of People’s Deputies—Directly elected
“President” elected by representatives
Most elected were critical of Gorbachev

16. Gorbachev! Perestroika—Radical economic reform
Gave govt. controlled economic power to private industry
Leased land from collective farms
Allowed foreign businesses in
McDonald’s!

18. Because of Gorbachev...

19. Collapse of the Soviet Union
Glasnost and Perestroika led to collapse of Soviet Union
Too much tension because of so much change
1991—Politburo tried to lead a coup against Gorbachev, failed
11 Countries declared independence
Berlin Wall torn down
Soviet Union collapses (1917—1991)
What’s next?......

20. Graphic Timeline!
You will now make a graphic timeline with the following events:
Tsars
Lenin
Stalin
Gorbachev
The following terms must be used in your timeline: Glasnost, Communism, Marxism, Perestroika, vanguard, Centralized planning, Collective Farm, Democratization, Bolsheviks, 5 Year Plans