AT2 paragraph plans Flashcards by Bianca Singireddy

What type of regime can the USSR under Stalin be considered until 1941?

Totalitarian regime

Characterized by political control, economic plans, and social domination.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What was a hallmark of totalitarianism in Stalin’s political control?

Consolidation of power through elimination of political opposition

Transformation of the USSR into a one-party dictatorship.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What significant event marked Stalin’s rise to power?

The death of Lenin

Created a power vacuum and lack of clear succession.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What was the outcome of the Tenth Party Congress?

Banning of all internal opposition groups

Party solidarity was prioritized.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What were the Moscow Show Trials?

Trials of prominent Bolsheviks like Nikolai Bukharin

Used to eliminate potential rivals.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

By the end of 1938, what percentage of the Communist Party had been lost?

One third

Result of purges and executions.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What was the main goal of collectivisation?

To accumulate capital and fund industrialisation

Also aimed at modernising agriculture.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What significant economic plan did Stalin implement?

The Five-Year Plans

Aimed at rapid industrialisation of the USSR.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What was the result of the first Five-Year Plan?

Total industrial output increased by 118% from 1928-1932

The USSR moved from fifth to second in global industrialisation.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What role did the NKVD play in Stalin’s regime?

Ensured conformity through fear and terror

Conducted mass arrests and purges.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What was the function of Glavlit?

Oversaw the publication of all media

Limited freedom within the USSR.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What was the estimated number of people killed during the Stalinist era?

20 million

Includes executions during the Great Purge.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What did Stalin do to the media under his control?

Heavily censored all forms of media

Glorified his policies and achievements.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Fill in the blank: Stalin’s political ruthlessness and the weaknesses of rivals contributed to his rise to _______.

power

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What was the impact of Stalin’s roles and jobs on his rise to power?

Accumulated political capital and influence

Positions included General Secretary and member of the Politburo.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What was the outcome of the Great Terror of 1936-1938?

1.2 million arrests and purges of military officers

Significant reduction of Communist Party members.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

True or False: Stalin’s policies aligned with the desires of the majority of party membership for stability.

True

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What did Stalin do with Lenin’s body after his death?

Embalmed it for permanent display

Recognized the political advantage of this act.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What was one characteristic of Stalin’s economic policies?

Emphasis on coercion and ideological conformity

Above all else in the totalitarian state.

What significant action did Stalin take against Trotsky?

Expelled him from the party in 1927

Trotsky was seen as a key rival.

What percentage of farmers were collectivised by 1933?

91.7%

Marked a significant shift in agricultural control.

Fill in the blank: Stalin’s main aims included making himself a revolutionary hero by _______ all opposition.

crushing

What was the effect of the ban on factions instituted by Lenin?

Allowed Stalin to accuse his rivals of violating party unity

Helped him eliminate opposition.

What role did Stalin’s appointment as General Secretary play in his rise to power?

It gave him control over party appointments and dismissals, allowing him to build a network of supporters.

This position enabled him to influence key decisions within the party.

What was Stalin's role in the Politburo?

He oversaw all policy decisions. ## Footnote His influence in the Politburo was crucial for implementing his agenda.

How did Stalin manipulate communication to his advantage?

He was in charge of main forms of communication, allowing miscommunication to happen, such as planning for Trotsky to miss Lenin's funeral. ## Footnote This manipulation helped him eliminate rivals.

What valuable information did Stalin gain access to as General Secretary?

He gained access to over 26,000 personal files of party members. ## Footnote This information was critical for identifying and targeting political opponents.

By what percentage did Stalin control Central Committee votes by 1924?

60% through appointed loyalists. ## Footnote This control was a key factor in his dominance over party decisions.

What temporary alliance did Stalin form in 1925?

The 'Duumvirate' with Bukharin. ## Footnote This alliance was aimed at gaining majority support in the Politburo.

What was Lenin's view of Stalin's value?

Wholly in the sphere of Party administration and machine manoeuvring. ## Footnote Lenin recognized Stalin's capabilities in managing party affairs.

What political capabilities did Stalin possess that facilitated his rise to power?

Elimination of political opposition and the transformation of the USSR into a one-party dictatorship. ## Footnote These capabilities allowed him to solidify his leadership.

What happened to the Politburo's membership after two years?

It was reduced from 45 members to 11. ## Footnote This reduction indicates Stalin's consolidation of power.

What were show trials and who was accused during them?

Politicians like Kamenev were accused in show trials. ## Footnote These trials were a method of eliminating opposition.

How many members of the Communist Party were lost by the end of 1938?

One third of its members. ## Footnote This loss was a result of Stalin's purges and political repressions.

What was the legal status of political parties in the USSR under Stalin?

Only one legal political party was allowed. ## Footnote This was a result of Stalin's efforts to eliminate all opposition.

Who were some key rivals targeted by Stalin?

Trotsky, Zinoviev, and Kamanev. ## Footnote Their expulsion from the party was part of Stalin's consolidation of power.

How many people were estimated to have been killed during the Stalinist era?

20 million people. ## Footnote This includes over 600,000 executed during the Great Purge.

What was the aim of Stalin's economic transformations?

To achieve rapid industrialisation and modernise agriculture. ## Footnote This was pursued through collectivisation and the Five-Year Plans.

What was the main goal of collectivisation?

To accumulate capital and fund industrialisation while modernising agriculture. ## Footnote This involved creating state-controlled farms, or kolkhozes.

What were the Five-Year Plans intended to achieve?

Transform the Soviet Union into an advanced, industrialised socialist state. ## Footnote They aimed at significant increases in industrial output.

What percentage of agriculture was collectivised by the end of 1941?

Nearly 99%. ## Footnote This marked a significant shift in agricultural practices in the USSR.

What was the impact of collectivisation on agricultural production?

There was widespread peasant resistance and a significant drop in agricultural productivity. ## Footnote This resistance led to food shortages and famine.

What was the Holodomor?

A famine resulting in 3-10 million deaths from 1932-1933. ## Footnote It was a consequence of Stalin's forced collectivisation policies.

What was the human toll of Stalin's policies on the population?

Severe declines in living standards, forced relocations, and millions of deaths. ## Footnote The Gulags held 1.5 million prisoners during this time.

What was the significance of the Tenth Party Congress?

All internal opposition groups were banned, emphasizing Party Solidarity. ## Footnote This was a key moment in Stalin's consolidation of power.

What type of dictatorship did Stalin establish in the USSR?

A one-party dictatorship. ## Footnote This system effectively eliminated all political opposition.

What was Stalin's main aim according to the Power Politics School of Thought?

To gain supreme power and make himself a revolutionary hero by crushing all opposition. ## Footnote His political ruthlessness was a significant factor in his success.