What were the perceived benefits of communism in Russia during the 20th century?

The Communist life was supposed to be better for Russians during the twentieth century.  The Communists promised to take Russia out of WWI no matter the cost.  WWI had gone terribly for Russia due to incompetent leadership and supply issues; any leadership that would take Russia out of this disaster clearly would have many people's approval.  

The Communists also promised increased productivity.  The rich were branded as enemies of the people as they were...

The Communist life was supposed to be better for Russians during the twentieth century.  The Communists promised to take Russia out of WWI no matter the cost.  WWI had gone terribly for Russia due to incompetent leadership and supply issues; any leadership that would take Russia out of this disaster clearly would have many people's approval.  

The Communists also promised increased productivity.  The rich were branded as enemies of the people as they were blamed for the nation's problems.  Life in the countryside had long been unsettled since the freeing of the serfs in 1867; while they were free, many could not afford land and lived a very meager existence.  The Soviets collectivized the farms forcefully and executed many farmers as "rich" kulaks.  The government in Moscow also exported food in order to demonstrate the success of the Soviet agricultural system.  Soviet productivity quotas in agriculture were often unrealistic and led to the starvation of many who worked the farms.  This same productivity model was also applied to factory workers, often leading to corruption in government and shoddy work standards.  

The Communists' chief promise was to alleviate poverty by getting rid of the "enemies of the people" such as the church and business leaders who had been "using" the Russian people.  By putting the state in charge of production and wealth distribution, the goal was that all Russians could have an improved standard of living.  This would not be the case, though Soviet propaganda films always showed smiling, strong Russians who were happy to live under Communist rule.  The reality was often that the average Russian worked long hours for minimal benefit.