United States and the Soviet Union in 1945 Mr. White’s US History 2

Comparison of the Soviet Union and United States ► United States  Capitalist  Democratic  Harry Truman ► Soviet Union  Communist  Totalitarian  Josef Stalin

Big Questions ► Compare and contrast the various positives and negatives of capitalism and communism, democracy and totalitarianism ► Project how we think Truman and Stalin will do as leaders

Compare and Contrast: Economic Systems ► Both capitalism and communism are economic systems. ► The economy of a country is the system of human activities related to production, distribution, exchange, and consumption of goods – how the people in a country get what they need ► These two economic systems are very different.

Capitalism – The United States ► In capitalism, the means of production are mostly privately owned – the people own factories, businesses, farms, etc. ► Most businesses or other things are done for profit, the desire to make money ► Prices of goods and services are determined by market forces – supply and demand

Communism – The Soviet Union ► Means of production are supposed to be controlled by the people (in theory), but in practice the government has controlled them (Soviet Union) ► Profit is not supposed to be a driving force in the economy – “from each according to their ability, to each according to their needs ► Prices are controlled by the government or aren’t really part of the economy – rationing or other regulation

Communism – What it means for people in it ► Working harder or at a skilled job does not necessarily win you higher pay – a factory worker and doctor can end up making similar amounts of money ► Government rations much of the resources – you can only take what the government decides you can have ► Government must crush any disagreement or criticism – communism must have a totalitarian government

Compare and Contrast – Strengths and Weaknesses ► What are some of the strengths of a capitalist economy? What are some problems? ► What are some of the strengths of a communist economy? What are some problems?

Democracy – The United States ► Democracy – rule “by the people,” from the Greek words demos, meaning “people,” and kratos, meaning “rule.” ► People either vote directly on laws or elect people to govern them as representatives ► Can include other things like guaranteed rights for the people, equality in law, civil liberties, right to petition the government, etc.

Totalitarianism – Soviet Union ► Government regulates nearly every aspect of public or private behavior – total control ► No voting for officials – government or one ruling party decides who will be in the government ► Government controls media – can’t criticize the government ► Sometimes secret police are used to enforce what the government wants

Compare and Contrast – Strengths and Weaknesses ► What are some of the strengths of a democratic form of government? What are some weaknesses? ► What are some of the strengths of a totalitarian form of government? What are some weaknesses?

Harry Truman – President of the United States ► Was Vice President for Franklin Delano Roosevelt ► Became President when Roosevelt died in 1945 of a stroke ► Seen by some as inexperienced; weren’t sure he’d make a good president ► Since he hadn’t been voted in as president, many outside US felt he lacked the approval of the people - mandate

Josef Stalin – Soviet Union ► Wasn’t Russian, was actually from the Soviet country Georgia ► Ruled with absolute authority – those who even seemed to disagree were “disappeared.” ► Responsible for purging the government of people who didn’t support him ► Also responsible for the forced starvation of around 7 million people in the Ukraine

Harry Truman vs. Josef Stalin ► How do you think Truman will do as President of the United States? Do you think his inexperience or his lack of a “mandate” hurt him, or can he overcome them? ► How do you think Stalin will do as leader of the Soviet Union? ► Which of these leaders do you think you’d prefer to live under?