lenin 1917-1922. democratic centralism the idea the all decision making actually comes from a small...
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StalinTRANSCRIPT
Lenin1917-1922
Democratic Centralism
• The idea the all decision making actually comes from a small group of Communist party elite.
• Is this Marx and Engel’s idea of Communism?
• Why?
Stalin1922-1953
Josef Stalin• Gained power after Lenin’s death.• Advocated “socialism in one country” and
emphasized industrialization.• Used coercive powers of the state to
implement his social and economic changes (many Russians directly or indirectly killed).
• Led the USSR during WW2 and controlled the Soviet block during the beginning of the Cold War era.
Khrushchev1953-1964
Nikita Khrushchev• Emerged as the top Soviet after a serous intra
party struggle.• Denounced the excesses of Stalin in his so called
“Secret Speech” in 1956.• Relaxed (a bit) Stalin totalitarian control of
society.• Supported and spread Communism into Eastern
Europe.• Provoked the Cuban missile crisis with USA.
Brezhnev1964-1982
Leonid Brezhnev
• Helped force Khrushchev from power.• Emphasized stability in policy and leadership
during his reign in power.• However this was also a period where there
was a serious lack of innovation and noticeable aging of the Communist leadership.
• Continued to build up military.• Ordered the invasion of Afghanistan – Uh ohh!
Andropov1982-1984
Andropov
• I am old• I died shortly after taking office.
Chernenko1984-1985
Chernenko
• I am old• I died shortly after taking office.
Gorbachev1985-1991
Mikhail Gorbachev
• He was a Communist!!!!• Looked to reform a “dying” system.• Glasnost – political openness!• Perestroika – economic openness!• Allowed democratic reforms in Eastern Europe
and withdrew Soviet troops.• Lost power in a coup attempt that led to the
dissolution of the Soviet Union.
YeltsinRussian Federation
Boris Yeltsin
• Elected President of Russia which was then part of the USSR.
• Leader of those advocating faster reforms.• Stood up to hardliners attempting a coup against
Gorbachev.• Negotiated the dissolution of USSR.• Was President of the Russian Federation during
chaotic period of economic and political reforms.
PutinRussian Federation