Russian history - Marblehead Public Schools

The rise and rule of Joseph Stalin A background to George Orwell’s work

Karl Marx (May 1818-March 1883)

Marxism 



Marx – father of socialist ideas; sees the world through purely economic lens 1848, The Communist Manifesto   

Capitalism is oppressing the common worker Goal is to make $ and grows unchecked Industry will eventually become a large conglomerate, further oppressing the worker

Marxism, cont. 

As a result of unchecked capitalism: 





Workers will revolt, est. a TEMPORARY dictatorship Dictatorship dissolve businesses, return assets to the workers Once worker has control, needs addressed, dictatorship dissolve as no longer need gov’t structures

The problem with Marxism 



Marx does not account for the dramatic change in the change in working conditions, etc. as a result of advocacy (trust busting, unionization, labor reform, etc.) Also does not account for the human desire for power, control 

When you are a dictator, why would you give up the power???

Vladimir Lenin (April 1870 – January 1924)

The rise of Lenin 





Lenin takes the theoretical ideas of Marx and turns them into a political movement Exiled by Tsar Nicholas for political activism – returns to Russia after 1917 Revolution Leader of the Bolshevik Party which takes over after Revolution, creating socialist state 

Social reforms include: nationalizing industry, providing healthcare, providing education

Trotsky vs. Stalin

The beginning 







Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin were both protégés of Lenin Trotsky was leader of the military and Stalin was Bolshevik Party Secretary Trotsky, more moderate. Saw duty to spread communism to the world Stalin wanted strong communist state, which included the limitation of freedoms, rights – too Western

Death of Lenin, rise of Stalin  





Lenin dies in 1924 Secretly selected Trotsky as his successor as Lenin felt Stalin was too violent Stalin raises the party against Trotsky and has Trotsky exiled to Mexico in 1927 During the Great Purges of 1936-1938, Trotsky publicly spoke out against Stalin

Murder of Trotsky: Ice pick through skull

Stalin: Dictator 



Stalin takes over as leader of Russia from late 1924 to his death in March, 1953 Begins his rule by overhauling the basic structures, sets unrealistic goals: 



Collectivization of lands for agriculture results in massive famine, esp. in Ukraine Public works projects (roads, canals) cost hundreds of thousands of lives

Stalin: Total control  

Fear – use of torture and gulags Under Stalin, state controls:     

Employment Housing Faith (there is none) Entertainment Communication

The Great Purge 1936-1938 





During this period, Stalin was determined to rid Russia of all “enemies” More than 2 million of his own people were tried and executed by the state, often admitting to false crimes under torture Millions more sent to gulags (work camps) in Siberia to work to death

Gulag

Stalin: Above the horror 

Even though Stalin was the cause of the horror in Russia, through carefully crafted propaganda, he remained the adored leader of Russia

Death of Stalin 





Stalin died on March 7, 1953 Millions came to pay their respects Under his rule, approximately 10 million people died, not including the 20 million killed during WWII

Post-Stalinism 



Nikita Khrushchev, Stalin’s successor, spoke out against the tactics used by Stalin to harm the Russian people; considered it a violation of Lenin’s plan for Russia Russia remained a communist state until 1991

George Orwell (June 1903 – January 1950)

Orwell: the early years  







Born Eric Blair to aristocratic parents in India Attended school in the UK but failed out of college; joined the Indian Imperial Police and was sent to Burma (modern day Myanmar) Felt the British were oppressing the Burmese by not allowing them to develop economically Returned to UK on leave in 1927 and decided to resign from police Began writing and teaching

Orwell: the socialist 

 



While conducting research for a novel The Road to Wigan Pier, Orwell was exposed to the depressed working-class of England This experience crystallized his feelings towards socialism In 1936 when the Spanish Civil War broke out, Orwell went to Spain to fight against Franco’s forces and support the socialist efforts in Spain Orwell allied himself with the Workers Party of Marxist Unification

Orwell in action 



Orwell saw action in numerous places, including the street fights of Barcelona In May, 1937, Orwell was shot in the throat by a sniper, which just missed his main artery. His voice is damaged and he is declared medically unfit for service

Orwell: the political writer 









Orwell returned from Spain in 1938 just as the UK was entering into war Orwell found a job at the BBC where her reported and put together programming for India to combat the Nazi propaganda designed to rip the British empire apart He also was a member of the Home Guard, which he saw as a “People’s militia” He quit after two years, in part to finish Animal Farm, which was published in Britain in August, 1945 Nineteen Eighty-four was published in 1949