the Russian revolution-vladimir lenin and the bolsheviks seized power in russia in 1917-the tsar was executed-lenin and the bolsheviks established communismnew ideas about govt-lenin was influenced by the socialist thinkers of the 1800s-socialism-societies should own property and resources for the betterment of everyone marxism-workers should establish a classless societycommunism- the govt should control the economy-private property should be abolisheda new form of govt-lenin and the bolsheviks created a single party state-the communist party was the only political party allowedthe communists in power-the communist party was ruled as a dictatorship-lenin stated that this was a "transitional stage"-he promised that it would last only until communism could be established the Cheka -to enforce his rule lenin created a secret police group nicknames the cheka-he launched a plan called the red terror in 1918-more than 50 thousand opponents of communism were arrested and executedthe formation of the USSR-in 1922 the party took more steps to promote loyalty -russia was divided into 12 republics all under the control of lenin -russia was renamed the union of soviet socialist republics or the soviet union-st petersburg was renamed Leningrad cause and effect land reform and its effects-cause- communists seized land from wealthy landowners and the church-the land was redistributed among peasant councils-surplus grain was taken from rural areas to feed citieseffect- production began to decline-industry suffered-a servere famine struck the country in 1921cause- the government instituted economic changes -it took control of the factories -it set wages and prices-it prohibited strikes-it rationed food and consumer goods-effect- the polices were unpopular-wealthy people fled the country-riots, strikes and unrest increased the new economic policy-to improve the economy lenin established the new economic policy-reserved many communist changes-allowed some private ownership of land and small businesses-allowed peasants to own their land and sell their surplus crops-these changes were temporary and would be reverse in the 1930scensorship and propaganda-the communist party took control of the press to silence opposition to its polices-all newspapers were censored-the party's official newspaper Pravda became the voice of the partychanges to education-the communists made significant changes to education-schools were constructed especially in rural areas-a literarcy campaign was instituted -science was encouraged-other subjects including latin and history were bannedchanges for women-communist policies encouraged increased equality for women-woman could obtain a divorce more easily-women were expected to enter the labor market-young women were encouraged to seek an education disagreement and discussion within the party-under lenin people were still able to show disagreement within the communist party-Leon Trotsky publicly disagreed-with other party and committee members-with some of Lenin's actions and decisions a shift in party power-in 1922 Lenin's health began to deteriorate and his death seemed imminent-Joseph stalin was appointed general secretary of the communist party-stalin began to appoint his allies to govt positions Joseph stalin-became the leader of the USSR following Lenin's death in 1924-was politically ruthless-held absolute power as a totalirain dictator a power vacuum-after Lenin's death the party planned to be led by a troika of leaders-instead a power struggle ensued between 2 groupstrotsky- had more liberal ideas-wanted soviet states to maintain power and controlStalin-had more conservative ideas-wanted a strong central govt-pursued an authorian govtstalins rise to power-stalin gradually increased his influence in party by:-moving his supporters into positions of power-pushing opponents out of powerful political roles-in 1927 stalin removed trotsky from the party and established totalitarian ruleeliminating opponents and enemies-stalin began to eliminate anyone who threatened his power-trotsky and other members were expelled exiled or executed-stalin also targeted ethnic groups whom he distrusted 1924- lenin died1922- the USSR was formed1927- stalin seized power