Here are some of the reasons why:
* Political oppression: The Soviet regime was extremely repressive, and any form of dissent was harshly punished. Millions of people were arrested, imprisoned, or executed for political reasons.
* Economic mismanagement: The Soviet economy was centrally planned and inefficient. This led to widespread shortages of goods and services, and the average Russian citizen often had difficulty obtaining basic necessities.
* Social inequality: Soviet society was highly stratified, with the Communist Party elite enjoying a privileged lifestyle while the majority of citizens lived in poverty.
* Cultural repression: The Soviet regime sought to control all aspects of cultural life, and any form of artistic expression that was deemed to be subversive was suppressed.
* Terror: The Soviet regime used terror as a means of control, and the constant fear of being arrested or executed cast a pall over society.
In contrast, life under the czars was relatively more free and prosperous. Although there was certainly poverty and inequality, there was also a greater degree of political and social freedom. People were free to express their views without fear of reprisal, and there was a wider range of economic opportunities available.
Of course, there were also some positive aspects to the Soviet regime. For example, the government made significant investments in education and healthcare, and it provided social security benefits to its citizens. However, these benefits did not outweigh the negative aspects of life under the totalitarian Soviet regime.