FREE ESSAY ON FALL OF COMMUNISM

FALL OF COMMUNISM

fall of Communism in Russia/Soviet Union By Andy Chambers 
Communism in the USSR was doomed from the onset. Communism was condemned due to lack of
support from other nations, condemned due to corruption within its leadership, condemned
due to the moral weakness of humanity, making what is perfect on paper, ineffective in
the real world. The end of this system was very violent. It left one of the two most
powerful nations in the world fearful of what was to come. 
Communism can either be called a concept or system of society. In a society that follows
the communist beliefs groups own the major resources and means of production, rather than
a certain individual. In theory, Communism is to provide equal work, and benefits to all
in a specific society. Communism is derived from many ancient resources, including
Plato's Republic and early Christian communities. In 1917, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
in their Communist Manifesto finalized the philosophy of Communism. (Communism,
Microsoft(R) Encarta(R) 98 Encyclopedia) 
In the beginning, people in Russia thought of Communism as a utopian ideal. (Funk &
Wagnall's) The elimination of social classes, and guaranteed employment sounded
outstanding to the people who lived in Russia. Communism did call for a role of socialist
dictatorship to help control any form of protest. Through persuasive tactics this new
government seized power and in 1917 Vladimir Ilich Lenin came to power. Under his control
the Soviet Union underwent many radical changes that led to the development of NEP (New
Economic Policy). This policy called for some private ownership of the means of
production and business. Still the government controlled the majority of production.
Throughout Lenin's government there were many achievements. It ended a long civil war
against the remnants of the old Czarist military system and established institutions in
government. He later died in 1924, and was quickly succeeded. 
In 1924 Joseph Stalin became head of the Soviet Communist Party. He soon became the most
powerful man in Russia. He ran the Soviet Union with brut power, removing all that
opposed him and the Communist beliefs. This time period was known as the "Great Purge."
Stalin systemically executed anyone who stood in his path. Stalin had millions of people
arrested and killed. The government once again changed in its economic status. All
private ownership was ended. Industrialization commenced, and the strength of the
Soviet's Military significantly increased. The only downfall was agriculture production
slowly diminished. This eventually led to food shortages. During this time period the
Second World War broke out and drained most of what was left of the already impoverished
state. However after the war, national unity was improved and the Soviet Union once again
became a super power of the world. ( Stalin and World War II, Microsoft(R) Encarta(R) 99
Encyclopedia) 
Stalin's death in 1953 marked the end of the supreme power for the head of the Soviet
party. Stalin's successor, Nikita Khrushev, marked the beginning of the fall of Communism
in the Soviet Union. Khrushev became the first Secretary of the Communists party (Nikita
Khrushev, Microsoft(R) Encarta(R) 98 Encyclopedia). He believed Stalin's actions were
unnecessary and harmful to the process of moving the Socialist government to its goal of
complete Communism. During his period of control the public was given some say in the
government. A new policy of economy was brought in known as "New Course." It helped to
balance the agriculture and increase food production so there were less food shortages. 
Although Nikita Khrushev started a process of reform he was dismissed due to massive
shortage of dairy products, and the fact that he failed to meet any of his initial
objectives. After the dismissal of Khrushev, Leonid Brezhnev became the Soviet Communist
Party Secretary General in October of 1964. Under his control central power was brought
back into effect. Stalin's disciplinary policies were restored. One of the causes of
Brezhnev's loss of power was in the way he controlled the land of Russia. During this
time there was an inefficient use of land, which resulted in an economic slacking once
again. The 1980's saw a dramatic drop in the standards of the Soviet citizens. This led
to strikes against the government, which greatly threatened the stability of the Soviet
Union. The people were angered at the fact that the Communist Party had not lived up to
what it had promised which was in return for their obedience. (B, Ulam, "Looking at the
Past: The Unraveling of the Soviet Union" pg.112) 
March 1985 marked a turning point in the Communist Rule of Russia. Mikhail Gorbachev was
elevated to the position of General Secretary. He was fully aware of what he had to do to
keep Communism alive in Russia. He began a program called "Perestroika" which was
intended to help rebuild the government and military, but the main purpose of this
program was to improve the Soviet standard of living. In the end "Perestroika" turned out
to be a complete failure. In 1991, the economy deteriorated before the eyes of Gorbachev,
and he could do nothing to stop it. Soon following, the USSR voted itself out of
existence in December 1991, and Gorbachev resigned as president of the former Soviet
Union. 
Eventually Communism completely destroyed the Soviet Empire. The parasite of Communism
finally drained the last bit of strength from the Russian nation in the late 1980's and
1990's, resulting in a sensational break-up of Soviet control. 
The break up of the Communist regime in the Soviet Union was more than a political event.
The powerful bond between the economy and politics of Russia created an uncanny situation
for the successor states of the Soviet Union. The people of Russia were so accustom to
the way of life under Communism; they were left with little democratic tradition. Russia
was faced with one of the toughest tasks, economic democratization. 
But freedom did not take hold in Russia after the break-up. Instead of forging ahead with
property rights and free markets, Russians devolved into a collection of turf wars, with
ethnic groups, former rulers, organized crime and various other groups competing to
survive. 
Out of the former Soviet-controlled states, the one that proceeded fastest and furthest
with free-market reform instead of controlled business -- the Czech Republic -- has done
the best economically by far. The ones that at least moved closer to free markets,
including Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland, are doing all right but still struggle.

Russia, who moved least to free markets, whose economy continued to be based on payoffs,
bribes and tribute, has done the worst economically and culturally. Yet this catastrophe
is often blamed on moving too fast with economic reforms. (Soviet Union," 99 World Book
Encyclopedia) 
Today Russia's economy is in disorder. The standard of living for most people in
incredibly low. It may be even lower now then during the Communist rule due to the
long-term effects of the break up of the Soviet Union. One of the major factors for the
fall of Communism is the government did not live up to it's promise of a better life for
all, and the failure of government to deal properly with social and foreign affairs.
Russia is now faced with a task that may seem impractical, and a journey that may take
many years, but it is believed one-day Russia may regain a well-balanced government. 
Bibliography: 1."Everything About Russia (History Section)." Http://www.russia.net (6
Dec. 1999) 2."CNN Interactive (Russian Archive)." Http://www.cnn.com (8 Des.1999) 3. B,
Ulam, "Looking at the Past: The Unraveling of the Soviet Union" Source: February 5, 1996
Associated Press article (11 Dec. 99) 4."The Electric Passport to Russia and Communism"
http://www.mrdowling.com/707russia.html (11 Dec. 1999) 5.Russian human rights commission
reports gross violations, practically disbands, Source: February 5, 1996 Associated Press
article (11 Dec. 99) 6. "Karl Marx, Manifesto of the Communist Party"
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/cp-usa/manifesto.html (12 Dec.99) 7. George W. Simmonds
University of Detroit "World War II Commemoration- Stalin"
http://gi.grolier.com/wwii/wwii_stalin.html (18 Dec.99) 8. "Marx and Engels' Writings"
http://english-www.hss.cmu.edu/marx/ (17 Dec.99)