Watch The Rise of Communism: From Marx to Lenin

Name: The Rise of Communism: From Marx to Lenin
Genre: Documentary & Biography
Released: 2019-11-08
Cast: Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius

2019
1 Season

The Rise of Communism: From Marx to Lenin is a comprehensive course on the origins and evolution of communism, hosted by Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius. The course is a part of The Great Courses Signature Collection and takes a deep dive into the key events and ideas that shaped the development of the communist movement. The course starts with an introduction to the life and work of Karl Marx, the philosopher and economist who is widely considered to be the father of modern communism. Professor Liulevicius explores how Marx's ideas about class struggle, labor, and capitalism laid the foundation for the communist ideology. Next, the course delves into the emergence of communism as a social and political force in Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The rise of Marxist political parties, labor unions, and socialist movements in various countries is discussed, as are the challenges these groups faced in trying to implement their vision of a socialist society. The course also covers the role that World War I played in fueling the growth of communist movements across Europe. The second half of the course is dedicated to the rise of Soviet communism, and in particular, the actions of Vladimir Lenin and the Bolshevik Party in Russia. Professor Liulevicius explores how Lenin's revolutionary tactics and theories helped to bring about the overthrow of the Russian monarchy and the establishment of a Soviet government. The course also examines the challenges faced by the new Soviet state and the strategies that were put in place to consolidate communist power. Throughout the course, Professor Liulevicius draws on a wide range of sources to provide a nuanced view of the history of communism. He covers not only the successes of communist movements, but also their failures and the ways in which they struggled to implement their visions of a socialist society. The course also explores the ways in which communism was challenged by other political ideologies, such as fascism and liberalism. One of the strengths of the course is its accessibility. Professor Liulevicius presents the material in a clear and engaging way, and is skilled at breaking down complex ideas into easy-to-understand parts. The course is ideal for anyone who is interested in the history of communism, regardless of their prior knowledge of the subject. Overall, The Rise of Communism: From Marx to Lenin is a fascinating and informative course that provides a detailed look at the origins and growth of communist movements across the globe. Professor Liulevicius is an excellent host who brings his subject to life with engaging lectures and insightful analysis. Whether you are an expert in the history of communism or a relative newcomer to the subject, this course is highly recommended.

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Seasons

12. Toward a New Communist Civilization

November 8, 2019

Follow the trajectory of Bolshevik social experiments to inaugurate a new civilization up through the death of Lenin in 1924. You'll learn about Lenin's monumental propaganda plan, which changed the appearance of Russia; the nationalist program of putting down roots; party recruitment drives and purges; and even the mummification of Lenin's body.

11. The Red Bridge to World Revolution

November 8, 2019

How does a revolutionary regime build a bridge to world revolution? After a look at the Third International, or Comintern, created in 1919 to spread the message of global revolution, explore failed attempts at sovietizing Hungary and Bavaria and the Soviet-Polish War of 1920, which dashed remaining hopes for linking up with Germany.

10. Rosa Luxemburg: A Revolutionary Martyr

November 8, 2019

Spend time with one of the most famous women radicals in history: the Polish-German socialist Rosa Luxemburg. Follow her revolutionary activities throughout Switzerland, Poland, and Germany; her support of spontaneous revolt over centralized conspiracy; her struggles with the ambiguities of revolutionary devotion; and her ultimate martyrdom.

9. Red October: How the Bolsheviks Seized Power

November 8, 2019

The Bolsheviks seized power in October 1917, a moment that would be celebrated afterward as Red October, or the Great October Socialist Revolution. Here, examine the formula for success behind the Bolshevik takeover, the mythologizing of Red October in film and music, and the dawn of a new secret police force: the Cheka.

8. World War I as a Revolutionary Opportunity

November 8, 2019

With the outbreak of the First World War, Lenin (who called war an accelerator of history) had the world crisis he could turn to his advantage. Topics here include Marxist debates over the philosophies of defensism and defeatism, the arrival of Leon Trotsky and his theory of permanent revolution, and the widening rift between socialists and communists.

7. The Making of Lenin

November 8, 2019

Take a detailed look at the life of Lenin, whose ideas and actions propelled him to become the first man to bring communist theory into power in 1917. Here, focus on Lenin's hardness in the face of the 1891-1892 famine, his manifesto "What Is to Be Done?", and the Bolshevik and Menshevik factions.

6. Revolutionary Russias

November 8, 2019

Why did a Marxist regime come to power in Russia of all places, especially when Marx considered it an unpromising place for a proletarian revolution? Professor Liulevicius tackles this question and also probes Russia's revolutionary tradition and the ideas of Georgi Plekhanov, the figure who did the most to bring Marx's teachings to Russia.

5. Marxism after Marx

November 8, 2019

In the decades following the death of Marx in 1883, the socialist movement grew, but it also became highly factional over arguments about theory and organizational tactics. In this episode, learn about the rise of political parties in Germany and America, the establishment of the Second International, and the struggle over revisionism."

4. The 1871 Paris Commune as a Model of Revolt

November 8, 2019

Investigate the violent upheaval of the Paris Commune in 1871: a political experiment that lasted a mere 10 weeks. The Paris Commune would make Marx one of the most feared and hated men in the world; although it failed, Marx considered it a living example of the dictatorship of the proletariat.

3. The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital

November 8, 2019

First, unpack the meaning of the revolutionary messages in "The Communist Manifesto" and "Das Kapital." Then, use a basic vocabulary of Marxist concepts to better understand Marx's model of history and economics. Last, examine how the revolutionary lives of Marx and Engels sought to unify theory with practice.

2. Marx and Engels: An Intellectual Partnership

November 8, 2019

The revolutionary ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels would rock society and soon affect the lives of millions of people. Here, explore their body of theory (known as dialectical materialism) and learn how Marxism offered something different: a tableau of history with starring roles played by the toiling masses and economic forces.

1. The Locomotive of History

November 8, 2019

Come to see Lenin's arrival at Petrograd's Finland Station in April 1917 as one of the most important turning points in modern history: the establishment of a communist regime after decades of theory. Also, preview the themes you'll explore in these episodes, and get solid definitions of terms such as communism and socialism. #History

Description

The course starts with an introduction to the life and work of Karl Marx, the philosopher and economist who is widely considered to be the father of modern communism. Professor Liulevicius explores how Marx's ideas about class struggle, labor, and capitalism laid the foundation for the communist ideology.

Next, the course delves into the emergence of communism as a social and political force in Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The rise of Marxist political parties, labor unions, and socialist movements in various countries is discussed, as are the challenges these groups faced in trying to implement their vision of a socialist society. The course also covers the role that World War I played in fueling the growth of communist movements across Europe.

The second half of the course is dedicated to the rise of Soviet communism, and in particular, the actions of Vladimir Lenin and the Bolshevik Party in Russia. Professor Liulevicius explores how Lenin's revolutionary tactics and theories helped to bring about the overthrow of the Russian monarchy and the establishment of a Soviet government. The course also examines the challenges faced by the new Soviet state and the strategies that were put in place to consolidate communist power.

Throughout the course, Professor Liulevicius draws on a wide range of sources to provide a nuanced view of the history of communism. He covers not only the successes of communist movements, but also their failures and the ways in which they struggled to implement their visions of a socialist society. The course also explores the ways in which communism was challenged by other political ideologies, such as fascism and liberalism.

One of the strengths of the course is its accessibility. Professor Liulevicius presents the material in a clear and engaging way, and is skilled at breaking down complex ideas into easy-to-understand parts. The course is ideal for anyone who is interested in the history of communism, regardless of their prior knowledge of the subject.

Overall, The Rise of Communism: From Marx to Lenin is a fascinating and informative course that provides a detailed look at the origins and growth of communist movements across the globe. Professor Liulevicius is an excellent host who brings his subject to life with engaging lectures and insightful analysis. Whether you are an expert in the history of communism or a relative newcomer to the subject, this course is highly recommended.