Ballet is an art form that has survived centuries of turmoil. Even though Russia is the largest contributor to its struggles, it is also the reason for its success. With the rise of the Soviet Union and a movement to use art as propaganda to promote Communism, ballet was censored and artistic freedom was stifled, causing even the most successful dancers to defect to Europe and America. Embracing their own creative intuitions, they created schools and companies to spread their influence abroad. If it had not been for systematic censorship in Russia and the defection of talented and spirited dancers, ballet would not be the widespread artform we see today.