1. The Rise and Fall of Communism in Europe

2. Communism - a government where people shared work fairly and were paid equally. Goal: to get rid of social classes and make everything fair for everyone Also referred to as “Revolutionary Proletarian Socialism” or “Marxism”. Communism is enclosed in two Writings: 1). Communist Manifesto (Karl Marx) 2).Principles of Communism

3. USSR USSR stands for: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The USSR was formed in December 1922. USSR is now Russia. The USSR collapsed in 1991.

4. 1848- Karl Marx wrote the Communist Manifesto with Frederick Engels. 1917 - The October Revolution- Bolsheviks rebelled against Tsar Nicholas II and took power led by Lenin

5. 1922- The Soviet Union was formed 1924- Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin died/Joseph Stalin became the new leader

6. 1928 - 5 year plan started by Stalin in Soviet Union to rapidly industrialize 1936 - The Great Purge started in Soviet Union. Anyone opposed to Stalin was sent to labor camps.

7. 1938 – 1948 Expansion of the USSR October 1949- German Democratic Republic established in Eastern Germany

8. May 1955- Warsaw Pact defense treaty among eight communist states to counter NATO (1949) 1960 - Berlin Wall was built

9. 1972- Start of SALT -Strategic Arms Limitation Talks between U.S. and USSR. 1945 -1991 Cold War between U.S. and Soviet Union - a state of political hostility between countries characterized by threats, propaganda, and other measures short of open warfare 1991 and 1993- The Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START)

10. 1989 – Multi party elections began in Poland and USSR December 26, 1991- USSR was dissolved November 1989 - Berlin Wall fell and Germany was reunified in October of 1990

11. Mikhail Gorbachev Became leader in 1985 Gorbachev was a different leader than previous Soviet leaders At heart, he was not a ruthless dictator He was reluctant to use force to control people When the populations of E. Europe realized this, they became bolder and stronger

12. The Economic Failure of Communism Communism failed to serve the needs of its people (ironic) Food shortages, low pay, poor or no consumer goods Given the chance, these people chose to end communism

13. The Role of Technology It was clear to the citizens of E. Europe that W. Europe was doing much better Their expectations began to rise; they began to demand better = 80’s Twitter

14. The meltdown of the Chernobyl nuclear power facility in Ukraine embarrassed Gorbachev and further inspired him to bring change Suggested Soviet technological incompetence Chernobyl Disaster: April 1986

15. Glasnost (1986): “Openness” allowed open criticism of the state, encouraging debate newspapers became less censored The academic world was allowed (in fact ordered) to correct Soviet history He denounced the narrowness of Stalin’s command economy, praised Lenin’s New Economic Policy He reaffirmed his commitment to one ideology (communism) He admitted Soviets were wrong in Hungary (’56) and Czechoslovakia (’68)

16. Boris Yeltsin 1990-1991 power struggle between Gorbachev and Yeltsin Economic conditions for Russians were worse than ever, and people blamed Gorbachev Yeltsin promised democratic and economic reform – promised conversion to the free market

17. The End of the USSR While Gorby was relaxing at his dacha, 8 hardcore party officials attempt to seize power Yeltsin stopped them Gorbachev lost face and resigned Yeltsin simply took the reigns USSR ended on…. Dec 25, 1991

18. Why did Communism Fail in the USSR? Economic Stagnation – the system was no longer productive The Party's inability to adapt or reform – officials were stubbornly committed to something that wasn't working anymore Military Spending – nearly bankrupted the nation USSR spent 20% of GNP on military, USA 6% Political Corruption – officials lined their own pockets at the expense of the nation