1. Communist Revolutions in
Russia and China
Before the revolutions – monarchs
from a long lasting dynasty
• QING – 1644-1912
• Romanov Tsars – 1300s to 1918
PROBLEMS – economic, social class
tensions, rebellions
Revolution part 1 – Dynasty fell and
a provisional government took over
Problems continue, Provisional
government fails, radicals gain power
2. -Socialism –
The means of production (businesses and services) are
owned by the ―public‖ and operated for the good of all.
The government controls key industries and thus parts
of the economy.
-Marxism / Communism -
A radical type of socialism based upon the belief that:
the working class majority would unite and forcibly
take the political and economic power from the wealthy
minority—who took advantage of them.
The working class would then control the government,
industry and agriculture.
Worker councils would govern ―democratically‖. Goods
and services, profits and benefits would be shared
equally. Eventually, a classless society would develop.
4. THE FALL of TSAR’s Government
PROBLEMS in Russia:
lack of freedom, poor
leadership, major
economic problems, &
food shortages.
EVENTS that challenged
the Tsar’s authority:
westernization, defeat in
the Russo-Japanese War,
“Bloody Sunday”, 1905
Revolution, & losses
during World War I.
5. Stages of Russian Revolution
1916-1917
Soldiers, rural and urban
workers, & intelligentsia
lead protests.
Bloodless Revolution
in March 1917: the
Tsar abdicated the
throne and a
PROVISIONAL
GOVERNMENT was
set up.
6. PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT failed as
Russian losses in WWI and economic
problems continued
Radical movements gained support and
momentum.
7. The BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION
1917 The Bolsheviks (one of the
radical communist groups) and their
leader, Vladmir LENIN, gained
enough support and power to seize
control of the government “on behalf
of the people”
9. CIVIL WAR:
1918 - 1920
Civil War began as
forces against the
communists fought
back.
10. CIVIL WAR:
1918 - 1920
The Tsar and his
family were
executed before
the communists
won and took
complete control of
the country.
11. COMMUNIST RULE
Land was
redistributed
Industrialization
Women gained
status
Military was built
12.
13. The Great Terror 1937-38
• Arrests - about 7 million
• Executions - about 1
million
• In prison or camps in
late 1938 - about 9
million
• Died in camps - about 2
million
14. Psycho!
“To choose one’s
victims, to prepare
one’s plan, to quench
a strong desire for
vengeance, and then
to go to bed . . .there
is nothing sweeter in
the world.”
Josef Stalin
