3.4 Cult of Stalin Flashcards
What were two political reasons why the ‘Cult of Stalin’ was created?
1) It put Stalin beyond criticism, however chaotic things were, there was one man who could make sense of it all 2) presented Stalin as ‘the new Lenin’- ‘Leader, Teacher and Friend’
How did the ‘cult of Stalin’ increase support for the communist regime?
It offered a way of working round problems without needing to question one-party rule
What was the one-party rule?
Local party members might make a mess of things, but the leader of the party could fix everything
How was Stalin presented as a political ‘genius’?
He was presented as the one person who fully understood the communist way
How did Stalin make himself seem humble while putting hismself above criticism?
Never used the word ‘Stalinism’ to describe his ideas. Instead, he presented himself as the person who understood Lenin’s ideas (‘Leninism’)
Why was Stalin praised for economic ‘advances’?
Posters associated Stalin with latest acheievements of the Soviet Union
How did the posters looks like?
Stalin was pictured againt a background of factories, trains and happy collective farmrs bringing in the harvest using tractors. In reality, he rarely visited factories or farms
Why was Stalin presented as fatherly, kind and loved by all?
Posters pictured Stalin surrounded by children, applauded by workers, and gazed at adoringly. However, he rarely mixed with ordinary people outside his close circle within the government
How was the message that built the cult of Stalin communicated?
Through graphic design, art, literature, music and history books
How was the graphic art effective?
As they were artworks they did not have to be based on reality.
What are examples of the graphic art?
They often showed Stalin as a close friend of Lenin - he was not, or planning the October Revolution - which was actually Trotsky
How was written and spoken words effective?
Some books, poems and poets spoke of his as if he was superhuman- some even used religious terms
What is an example of written and spoken word?
Two histories of the Commuist Party, published in 1938 rewrote history and placed Stalin in the centre of events. Stalin’s role in the October Revolution and winning the Civil War was exaggerated and Trotsky was ignored
