1. Animal Farm Background Info Marxism Communist Revolution Soviet Union: Communist State Major Figures GLP English 1 Dr. Newton

2. Karl Heinrich Marx (1818-83) “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.” The Communist Manifesto, Chapter 1

3. Major Theories: Marxism Major driving force in history is conflict between social classes based upon economics Believed that capitalism (economic system based upon private property ownership) would collapse and be replaced by communism (property held in common by all citizens) Proletariat would replace bourgeoisie and aristocracy For communism to work, proletariat must develop class consciousness Until class consciousness can be developed, Marx believe a small, elite group would lead the people temporarily

4. Deriving from Marxism The working class, the proletariat are the main producer of wealth in society and are exploited by the capitalist class. The only way to solve the problems existing with capitalism Proletariat to overthrow the bourgeoisie and establish a society without class divisions, socialism, as a prelude to attempting to achieve the final stage of communism. Communist Theory Stage in history after socialism refers to a classless, stateless society where decisions on what to produce and what policies to pursue are made in the best interest of the collective society Pure Communism

5. Classless society structure upon communal ownership of the means of production and the end of wage labor and private property Ultimate Goal a single authoritarian party controls both the political and economic systems. In the twentieth century, communism was associated with the economic and political systems of China and the Soviet Union and the satellites of the Soviet Union. In Practice…

6. Proletariat in Soviet Union Lenin- Proletariat dictatorship Stalin – Revolution/dictatorship for “Proletarians”? – Proletarian did not have power – Manipulated, brainwashed – Exploited – even worse life

7. Tsar Nicholas II (1868-1918) Last emperor of Russia Had economic and military disasters in his time of ruling Also called as Bloody Nicholas because hundreds killed in Bloody Sunday during his reign With all of his family was killed after Russian Revolution

8. Russian Revolution (1917) February Revolution: Led by Marxist revolutionaries Lenin and Trotsky, threw out Tsar’s government and assumed control of Russia, establishing communism Called themselves Soviets October Revolution: defeated anti-communist and Tsar supporter forces, finalized control of Russia The supposedly temporary rulers of the Communist party established the politburo or ruling executive committee

9. Revolution Leaders Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin led leftist revolt against ineffective provisional government (November, 7) Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin led leftist revolt against ineffective provisional government (November, 7) Provisional parliamentary Government → Bolshevik, soviet Government Provisional parliamentary Government → Bolshevik, soviet Government It wasn’t until after the Russian Civil War, between radical communist revolutionaries and the monarchists, conservatives, liberals and moderate socialists, that Bolsheviks actually came into power It wasn’t until after the Russian Civil War, between radical communist revolutionaries and the monarchists, conservatives, liberals and moderate socialists, that Bolsheviks actually came into power Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the first socialist country based on Marxist theory Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the first socialist country based on Marxist theory

10. Vladimir Lenin 1870-1924

11. Lenin the Revolutionary Grew up in the relatively privileged circumstances of the bourgeois intelligentsia Developed radical political views at a young age much influenced by his extremist older brother who was hanged for the attempted murder of the Russian czar Lenin then spent 17 years in various places in Western Europe, promoting Russian Marxism Became leader of the Bolshevik (“Majority”) Party once communists took over government

12. Lenin the first USSR Dictator After the October Revolution of 1917, Lenin found Russian power in the hands of the Bolsheviks Lenin became the first Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars of the new proclaimed Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (essentially the first Dictator of the United Soviet Socialist Republics) As leader, worked to establish credibility to the regime and won Russian civil war Died a few year after the Revolution (1924)

13. Leon Trotsky (1879-1940) Lenin’s partner in the Russian Revolution Viewed as more idealistic and less practical than Lenin Became leader of Menshevik party, which fought and lost to Lenin’s Bolshevik party for control of communist government Eventually exiled by Stalin and assassinated in Mexico

14. Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) Inspired by Vladimir Lenin and became a Marxist revolutionary Bolsheviks’ chief operative, takes over after Lenin’s death Launched command economy Five-Year Plan “Iron Curtain,” forming Eastern Bloc Controlled the media to spread only his messages Today linked with Hitler as one of 20 th Century’s greatest perpetuators of genocide (estimated 20,000,000 killed under his command by his secret police, the KGB)

15. Animal Farm Background Info The End!!