...certain individuals were able to exert a greater influence than others. However, the circumstances in which the indivudals acted and the poltical structure which allowed for it influenced the making of modern Russia, more than the individual. Individuals had an short term and long term impacts. Lenin is an example of an individual who had both. Because he was an undisputed Leader he was in aprime position to make significant changes. One such change would be the introduction of NEP. He believed that “economically and politically speaking the New Economic Policy completely ensures to us the possibility of building the foundation of a socialist economy.” NEP was unpopular within the Bolshevik party and so the fact that Lenin went through with it, shows his impact as an individual. Similarly ,before Lenin, Witte had been significant by reforming the economic policies of the Tsars by improving the Russian currency aswell as making the Russian market for accessible for foreign enterprises. This had long term significance as investments were more likely to come to Russia and thereby strengthen the Russian economy. All Tsars attempted some form of economic reforms, however in comparison to Lenin and stalin they did not succeed. From this it can be argued that individuals did play a role in the shaping of Russia, however it was very much dependant on the time an d situation in which they found themselves. One factor that was more important than the individual was the political structure...
Words: 2316 - Pages: 10
...A2 Russia and its Rulers 1855–1964 Past Questions workbook How to use this booklet Your Russia and Cold War teachers will discuss what they want you to do in each Cold War lesson (now that your coursework is finished). This booklet has a page for each examination question that has been asked about our course since the change of course in 2010. For each question there is a section from the guidance given to examiners for marking it, and a section from the examiner’s report on each question. Each page also contains a section where you can record what you have learned about answering each question. Tackling past questions is an excellent way of revising. You could be doing several things in any order: * Reading the examiner’s remarks; * Planning an answer to the question; * Using your notes to find the evidence you’ll need to answer each question; * Sending a plan to a friend for constructive criticism. Before you get going – please note the advice that the Chief Examiner has given to his exam markers for the last year: ------------------------------------------------- “Candidates are expected to demonstrate understanding of the issues in each of their selected questions over a period of at least a hundred years (unless an individual question specifies a slightly shorter period.) Candidates are reminded of the synoptic nature of the Unit. Answers are required to demonstrate understanding of the processes of historical continuity, development...
Words: 10577 - Pages: 43
...Introduction Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev were two monumental post-Stalin, pre-Gorbachev leaders of the Soviet Union during periods of reform. The two leaders both sought to adjust the economic and domestic policies of the Soviet Union. They shared a common goal: to lead without the constant mass fear and terror imposed by Stalin’s brutal regime. However, they also wanted to achieve such a goal without directly undermining the foundation and the integrity of the Soviet Union or the Communist Party. This concept can be labeled as de-Stalinization without de-Sovietization. However, Khrushchev and Brezhnev inherited a rigid Soviet system that was intertwined with Stalin’s personal legacy and the inner circle officials that survived the...
Words: 631 - Pages: 3
...STALIN, THE GREAT PURGE, AND RUSSIAN HISTORY: A NEW LOOK AT THE ~EW by MARSHALL SHATZ Paper No. 305 1984 CLASS' STALIN, THE GREAT PURGE, AND RUSSIAN HISTORY: A NEW LOOK AT THE 'NEW CLASS' ~ MARSHALL SHATZ Paper No. 305 1984 Marshall S. Shatz received his B.A. from Harvard College and his M.A., Certificate of the Russian Institute, and Ph.D. from Columbia University. He edited The Essential Works of Anarchism (New York: Bantam Books, 1971; Quadrangle Books, 1972) and is the author of Soviet Dissent in Historical ¥erspective (Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press, 1980). He is Professor of History, University of Massachusetts at Boston. 1 STALIN; THE GREAT PURGE; AND RUSSIAN HIsroRY: A NEW IOOK AT '!HE • NEW CLASS' Though nearly fifty years in the past; Stalin •s Great Purge of the 1930s still loans as one of the nost enigmatic events of the twentieth century. Whether we think of the Great Purge as a IOOre or less continuous process fran the assassination of Kirov in 1934 to Ezhov's replacement by Beria as head of the secret police at the em of 1938; or limit it to the EzhoVshchina of 1937 and 1938; When the terror reached its peak; operation is astounding. the sheer nagnitude of the The nuniber of arrests; deportations; imprisonments; and lives lost in these years is impossible to measure; and attempts to do so have varied wildly. Even the lOi/est estimates; however; are staggering.l It ...
Words: 13189 - Pages: 53
...What significance did The Great Patriotic War have on Russia in the period of 1941-1945? On June 22 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa; an full scale military invasion against Russia; forcing her entry into The World War causing devastating consequences in all of Russian society, as well as her domestic economic and political affairs throughout 1941-1945. The war featured social effects; the ‘war of annihilation’ of the Russian citizens by Germany in pursuit of Moscow and the increased need of unity and patriotism domestically, economic effects; the complete transition to Russian war time economy to fuel the war and the devastation of Russian industries, however it was the consolidation of Stalin’s communist leadership that was to reign the most significant in terms of its domestic impact but also its lasting effect. The Great Patriotic war forced the Russian economy to transition into a war time economy to fuel the war effort. The final one and a half years of the 3rd five year plan saw a shift into a wartime economy as the Germany invaded Russia; increasing economic mobilisation and increased its PPP usage towards supplying the front with more resources, even more efficiently than Germany due to the war economy. By 1943 60% of Russian output was devoted to its war effort, keeping Soviet army and navy adequately supplied with rearmaments, food, and fuel throughout the war. Through propaganda, Russian labour production shifted importance from developing the economy...
Words: 2023 - Pages: 9
...significance of the Russo Japanese water: 1906 revolutions; Stolypin and the duma; the impact of the first world war (1914-18) on Russia * 1917 Revolutions: February/ March revolutions; provisional government and Dual power (soviets): October/November Bolshevik Revolution; Lenin and Trotsky * Lenin’s Russia (1917-24): consolidation of new soviet state; civil war; War communism; NEP; terror and coercion; Foreign relations * * Gorbachev and His aims/Policies (glasnost And perestroika) and (1931-1991) consequences of the soviet state * consequences of Gorbachev’s policies for Eastern European; reform movements: Poland- the role of solidarity; Czechoslovakia- the velvet revolution; fall of the Berlin wall * china: Mao (1935-1976) Conditions that produced authoritarian and single party states * emergence of leaders: aims, ideology, support * methods of force and legal used to establish authoritarian * form of government ideology establishment * nature, extent and treatment of opposition establishment * domestic policies and impact (structure and organisation of government and administration * political, economic , social and religious policies within domestic policies and there impact * role of education, the arts, the media, propaganda in...
Words: 780 - Pages: 4
...why was Russia so difficult to govern? * Poor old fashioned agricultural methods * Bad economy not enough produce being made in good yield and quickly * Poor industrial levels * High levels of poverty poor living and working conditions and salary which led to unhappy public. * Russia was very big but there were no effective ways to transport resources around the countries * Poor communication methods * Russification why was there opposition to tsarist rule? * He was a weak tsar as he was primarily reluctant to taking over * Bloody Sunday * 1905 revolution * Failures of the Dumas * Social democratic party, octobrists, social revolutionaries- revolution through peasants * Ignorant and arrogant What was the impact of ww1 on tsarist Russia? * Lack of available infrastructure- basic facilities banks factories ect. * Poor leadership of generals and officers * Poor communication * Incompetent and overconfident officials * Inflation * Middle class discontented as their sons were dying at war * Large life cost why was there a Feb. rev in feb1917 * First WW put pressure on tsarist system * The weather was so bad so trains wouldn’t function and no import/export * Prices rose and rationing led to further discontent * Series of strikes * Famines and poverty getting worse * ARMY DESERTED THE TSAR WHERAS PRIOR TO THIS HE WAS SUPPORTED BY THEM I.E THROUGHOUT...
Words: 1198 - Pages: 5
...Lauren O'Grady Lenin, Stalin, and Gorbachev: Their Impact on Russia's History Vladimir Lenin, Josef Stalin, and Mikhail Gorbachev all played remarkable roles in Russia's history, although in very different ways. Though each could be criticized or praised for various different policies, these three leaders were perhaps undeniably the most influential leaders of Russia's history in the last hundred years. Vladimir Lenin's influence on Russia started with the release of his book What's to be Done? In 1902. When the leaders of Russian Marxism gathered for a meeting in 1903, Lenin's ideas clashed with Iuli Martov's idea of a looser, more democratic workers' party. Due to this disagreement, was complicated by other conflicts, and from this meeting Russian Marxism was split into two factions (Simkin). Lenin's faction was called the Bolsheviks (majority) while the other referred to themselves as the Mensheviks (minority). When the Revolution of 1905 occurred in Russia, widespread revolt against the czar's government spread throughout the country. However, it was eventually demolished by the government. This revolt surprised all Russian leaders, including the Bolsheviks, Lenin managed to return to Russia only in November, when the defeat of the revolution was pretty much certain (Talbot). Over the next twelve years, Bolshevism, with Lenin at it's head, gradually emerged as an independent party that had cut it's ties with all other Russian...
Words: 2713 - Pages: 11
...Arguable the most controversial subject in human history is what truly defines the human species. Through the growth and evolution of the species, humans have displayed destructive behaviours within society that differentiates this genus from all others. Practiced by the unique act of genocide, humans have embraced a love for brutality against opposing social groups and the annihilation of fellow man. The institutions within the species’ society encompass unsurpassable expectations that have resulted in the self-destruction of millions. Humans have collectively destroyed the Earth’s natural resources through over use and depletion, making it impossible for the environment to remain sustainable; therefore, characterizing humans as the uniquely destructive species that they have come to exist as today. Genocide is a form of destruction unique to the human species that has been repeated throughout history as the yearning for power and the love of cruelty surpasses human controversies. “Genocide is often waged by one group against another and not the other way around. It is this unprovoked brutality that stems from human nature that is truly frightening” (Dimijan, 2010). This brutality was noticeably witnessed in World War II Germany during the Holocaust when Nazi leader Adolf Hitler exterminated more than 6 million Jewish men, women and children. The Nazis, who came to power in January 1933, believed that Germans were "racially superior" and that the Jews, deemed "inferior,"...
Words: 3028 - Pages: 13
...Plan of the investigation: This investigation analyses the successes and failures of collectivisation in the Soviet Union, specifically looking at the impact it had on the peasants of Russia and whether it aided in satisfying the Soviet Union’s economic needs. In order to assess the extent to which collectivisation was a success, this investigation examines and evaluates the first few years of collectivisation, assessing collectivisation’s impact on the economy of the Soviet Union and the people, as a stronger economy would greatly improve the livelihood of the masses. Ultimately this investigation assesses the wisdom of Stalin’s decision to partake in collectivisation. This analysis does not assess Stalin’s abilities as a leader, the Ukrainian ‘holodomor’, or the industrialisation process in the Soviet Union. A number of sources were used in this analysis, and two of them are evaluated for their value and limitations. Summary of evidence: • Implemented in 1928 • By collectivising Stalin hoped to increase agricultural output, create grain reserves and make available more peasants for work in the cities. • Two types of farms; collective farms and state farms. The process of collectivisation was intended to be voluntary and took place in the countryside as peasants were expected to group their holdings into one unit (kolkhoz). • 90% of the kolkhoz produce was to be sold to the state whilst the remaining 10% of the produce was the peasants’ share. In addition to this...
Words: 2115 - Pages: 9
... |GERMANY | | | | | | |Single Party Communist Dictatorship under the leadership|Single Party Fascist Dictatorship under the leadership of Hitler. | | |of Stalin. |Hitler had a close knit group of Nazi officials to carry out his | |Style |Council of 7 people led by Stalin who had a close knit |plans for Germany for him. | |of Government |group of supporters carrying out his ideas without |Hitler was a charismatic and persuasive figure who ‘charmed’ the | | |questioning. |people into supporting him and his ideas for a better life. | | |Stalin was a domineering and threatening person who | | | |wielded power through fear. | | | | | | | ...
Words: 1558 - Pages: 7
...Liz Rose Geology Assignment 4 11 july 2012 As everyone knows Russia and it's neighboring countries is a region that has been through a lot and has aged a lot. It is a region that has always had interesting relationships amongst countries. There have been many rises, falls, and battled that have occurred. From the cold War to World War II. Here we will take a look into the history of how this world region became the way that it is: economically, environmentally, and politically. A closer look will be taken into the Soviet Union and the rapid industrialization that took place and how it effected the environment and economy; along with it's relationships with other countries. As it did to many, World War I had massive negative impacts on Russia. It caused many deaths, food shortages, and a weak government. Right around the end of the war, in 1917, a group by the name of the Bolsheviks, more popularly known as the "Reds", overthrew the weak government. The "Reds" were a group of Communists or also known as the political party of the working class. Anticommunists attempted to defeat the Communists but were overpowered. This is when the communists strengthened and were able to gain back countries like Belarus and Ukraine. Soon after Vladimir I. Lenin took leadership and with the Bolsheviks established the Soviet Union. This is when they really started the reverse from capitalism to communism as the bolsheviks strongly disagreed with capitalism, the idea of free market ,...
Words: 1473 - Pages: 6
...government on behalf of the people. A one-party state was a political system with one political party to represent the people. In the USSR, all political parties other than the Communist Party were banned and elections were contested between individuals of this party. The tensions that existed between the USSR and the USA in the 1920s and 30s Communism was viewed as an unstable force that threatened social and political order and Lenin, leader of the Bolshevik Revolution, was to represent this. Allied countries Britain, France, USA and Japan had sent help to Bolshevik enemies during the Civil War therefore there were some hostile feelings towards them even after the war. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918) was a result of Russia withdrawing from the war, leading to a feeling of betrayal amongst the allies who were left to fight Germany alone. Communist groups in Spain and France grew in strength in the 1930s in response to the hardships of the Great Depression which placed strains on the USA. Britain’s appeasement policy towards Germany under Hitler’s leadership led to Stalin seeing it as an attempt to placate Hitler and a sign of Britain’s lack of enthusiasm for halting Nazi foreign policy. This meant mutual mistrust and hostility remained between the countries. The strains that existed in the Grand Alliance during World War 2 Despite the meeting at Tehran in November 1943 there were divisions amongst the Big Three. The opening of...
Words: 7667 - Pages: 31
...renowned leaders for the farm and soon to be a leader for the rebellion. As time passes, Napoleon experiences the luxuries and the benefits that come with having power— the power is now beginning to go to his head. He begins eating much food, sleeping on a bed, and wearing clothes (all of which the animals swore never to do in animalism). Napoleon is beginning to think of himself above all others rather than as still an equal. At one point in the book, Napoleon sell the loyal and hardworking boxer to a factory for alcohol. This goes to prove that he only cared about what he wanted, not his hard working citizen. By many events and actions done by Napoleon, it is easy to see how Napoleon represents Joseph Stalin. “Stalin was the undisputed dictator of USSR.” As Stalin did, Napoleon disposes of anything that comes to threat his beloved power. Both leaders governed with complete power pushing anyone out of their way. “Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all able alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but it was impossible to say which was which,”...
Words: 1184 - Pages: 5
...Arguably peasants working conditions did change however to a limited extent from 1855 to 1964. This was due to government reforms during tsarist Russia that had significant effects on peasants such as Stolypin and Alexander’s reforms as this was first steps taken to improve peasantry. However their freedom, transportation and the right to own land was very limited, redemption payments were almost impossible and they were still bound to the Mir. Similar to the communist era under Lenin, Stalin and Khrushchev from 1917 peasant working conditions did change as Lenin introduced the new economic policy that improved peasant working conditions financially, but war communism did not benefit the peasants at all, agriculture was very low and caused a huge feminine what effected work life. When Stalin came to power 1924 there was huge transformation in peasant working conditions due to the industrialisation of Russia where machinery and agriculture increased however peasants were practically treated as slave labour during the five-year plans. Khrushchev also changed peasant-working lives as peasants became freer after Stalin’s death, for example they were paid more for grain and the removal of the MTS in 1958 allowed farmers to buy their own machinery. Overall change was very limited in peasant working conditions until 1950’s as the majority of the population were no longer peasants, machinery and new methods of faming became advanced and those who were peasants, they started to get paid...
Words: 2058 - Pages: 9
