Lenin dies Father of Communism – changed Russia to USSR Lenin suffers first stroke 1924 Lenin doesn’t come out of his bedroom…found dead of another stroke 2 men become contenders for his position Leon Trotsky – friend and advisor of Lenin Josef Stalin – Politician in USSR Stalin – changed his name “man of steel”

Who becomes next leader? Lenin wrote, “I am not sure that Stalin knows how to use power” Stalin was cold, rough, and dangerous….Trotsky becomes sick and cannot campaign like Stalin Fearing his life…Trotsky leaves USSR Stalin becomes the next TOTALITARIAN DICTATOR OF the Soviet Union

Building a Totalitarian Nation Police Terror Soviet Police physically enforced Stalin’s law with force Propaganda & Censorship Gov’t controlled all newspaper, movies, tv, radio, books, information Great Purge 1937 campaign to ‘eliminate’ all opposing ideas and people Opposition erased! Control of Education Students learned ideas of Communist Party Control of Religion Communism becomes a religion Orthodox faith not allowed

Ideas to strengthen USSR Command Economy The government makes ALL economic decisions Five Year Plans Set impossible goals to meet at the end of each year (steel, coal, oil, electric, factories)… Why set impossible goals? At the end of five years…USSR should be able to compete with Western nations Shortages of food, housing, and clothing Major improvements were seen

Ideas to Strengthens USSR Collective Farming The gov’t takes over all privately owned farms and combines them All farms are now owned by the gov’t By % of peasants worked/lived on the farms Who gets the profit? Women’s Rights Men and Women were equal in USSR Both expected to follow ALL of Stalin’s law

What are the problems with … Five Year Plans Collective Farming 1 2 3