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