Life Under Communism

1. By: Jasmine N. & Kaylin M. Life Under Communism

2. Social Changes • Theory: communism created to form a classless society in which everyone’s needs were met. • Bolsheviks abolished old titles of nobility • In result, they set out to end the inequalities that existed under capitalism. • Czarist officials, landlords, and business owners lost their wealth and power.

3. The Party Elite • New elite emerged • Leaders of Communist party became a privileged class • Ordinary people waited in long lines in stores whose shelves were empty • Party leaders shopped in special stores stocked with high-quality domestic and foreign goods • Had access to best medical care • Received new apartments • Enjoyed vacations in summer houses reserved for them • Their children attended top schools • Their children were given good jobs and graduated

4. The Party Elite Continued.. • Less than 10% of Soviet people belonged to the party • Many children joined communist youth groups that opened the way to future party membership • To join the party, people had to have recommendations from several party members and pass an investigation to make sure they held correct Communist attitudes and beliefs

5. Nationalities • Russification • Tried to force everyone in the empire to adopt the Russian language and culture • Russian was made official language of Soviet Union • Government encouraged Russians to settle in non-Russian republics • Schools emphasized communist beliefs over local traditions • Nationalism remained a strong force among the many peoples of the Soviet Union

6. Attacks on Religion • Communist government was hostile to all regions, since they competed with communism for peoples’ loyalty • Government used antireligious propaganda • Soviet government campaigned against the Russian Orthodox Church • It seized Church property and imprisoned and even executed some priests

7. Economic Life • Soviet economic system provided its citizens with several basic benefits • Public transportation was inexpensive • Health care was free • Basic food prices low • Guaranteed every individual a job • Provided workers with old age pensions

8. Shortages • Many goods remained in short supply • Families in city apartments had to share kitchens and bathrooms with their neighbors • Meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables were difficult to find • People spent most of their lives waiting in long ridiculous lines to buy food and other goods

9. Shortages continued.. • Average person spent years on waiting list for a car • Soviet goods were poorly made • Black Market- people trade goods and services illegally in defiance of government rules • Shortages were common, government invested so much in military spending • Soviet economy was used for military goods in the country’s effort to keep up with the arms race during the Cold War

10. Education • After 1917, the Bolsheviks worked hard to provide education for everyone • By 1960’s Soviet Union had virtually ended illiteracy • All Soviet children received at least eight years of schooling • In large cities children attended school for ten years • By fifth grade students learned English

11. Education continued.. • Emphasized math and science • Government felt that these subjects were essential to a modern industrial nation • By 7th grade students have already studied geometry, algebra, biology, chemistry, and physics • Male students in 9th and 10th grade began taking military training • In reality, Soviet schools were a propaganda machine for the government

12. Family Life • After 1917, the Communists simplified marriage and divorce laws • Instead of having church weddings, couples married at government offices • Getting a divorce was easy, and the divorce rate soared as a result • The government hoped to replace close family ties with loyalty to the state • Urbanization led to smaller families