7B Inter-War Period

Bolsheviks

A party of revolutionary communists, led by Vladimir Lenin, who seized power in Russia in 1917.

Joseph Stalin

Russian leader who succeeded Lenin as head of the Communist Party and created a totalitarian state by purging all opposition (1879-1953)

Kulaks

a peasant in Russia wealthy enough to own a farm and hire labor. Emerging after the emancipation of serfs in the 19th century the kulaks resisted Stalin's forced collectivization, but millions were arrested, exiled, or killed.

New Deal

A series of reforms enacted by the Franklin Roosevelt administration between 1933 and 1942 with the goal of ending the Great Depression.

Soviets

A Russian council composed of representatives from the workers and soldiers.

Totalitarianism

A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)

Tsar Nicholas II

Last Tsar of Russia and then end of the Romanov line. Was executed along with the rest of his family under the order of Lenin.

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Federal system of socialist republics established in 1923 in various ethnic regions of Russia; firmly controlled by Communist party; dissolved 1991.

Vladimir Lenin

Russian founder of the Bolsheviks and leader of the Russian Revolution. First head of the USSR (1870-1924).

collective farms

Government owned farms formed by combining many small farms. Workers were paid by the government and they shared profits from products.

command economy

An economic system in which the government makes all economic decisions.

communism

a political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.

deficit spending

Government practice of spending more than it takes in from taxes

Five Year Plan

A plan launched by Stalin in 1928, and termed the "revolution from above," aimed at modernizing the Soviet Union and creating a new Communist society with new attitudes, new loyalties, and a new socialist humanity.

Francisco Franco

Spanish General; organized the revolt in Morocco, which led to the Spanish Civil War. Leader of the Nationalists - right wing, supported by Hitler and Mussolini, won the Civil War after three years of fighting. Ruled Spain as a dictator until his death (1892-1975).

Franklin D. Roosevelt

32nd US President - He began New Deal programs to help the nation out of the Great Depression, and he was the nation's leader during most of WWII

Great Depression

the economic crisis beginning with the stock market crash in 1929 and continuing through the 1930s

Hyperinflation

A very rapid rise in the price level; an extremely high rate of inflation/ inflation that is out of control