chapter 12-13

Question 1

Permanent Revolution

Answer 1

A Marxist theory advocated by Trotsky, emphasizing the need for continuous revolutionary momentum across countries, as socialism would only succeed globally.

Question 2

Socialism in One Country

Answer 2

Stalin’s doctrine focusing on building socialism solely within the Soviet Union, rather than relying on global revolution.

Question 3

Gosplan

Answer 3

The State Planning Committee of the Soviet Union, responsible for economic planning and setting production targets under central planning.

Question 4

Collectivization

Answer 4

The forced consolidation of individual peasant farms into large, state-controlled collective farms, aimed at boosting agricultural production and state control.

Question 5

Kulaks

Answer 5

Wealthier peasants targeted during collectivization, accused of hoarding and anti-Soviet activities; many were dispossessed, exiled, or executed.

Question 6

“Dizzy with Success” Speech

Answer 6

A 1930 speech by Stalin, claiming collectivization’s successes but warning against excesses; used to deflect criticism and justify temporary policy adjustments.

Question 7

Stakhanovite, or Stakhanovism

Answer 7

A movement named after miner Alexei Stakhanov, encouraging workers to exceed production targets, symbolizing Soviet labor zeal and productivity.

Question 8

Gulag

Answer 8

A government agency that administered labor camps where political prisoners and criminals were forced to work in harsh conditions; became synonymous with Soviet repression.

Question 9

Socialist realism

Answer 9

An artistic style mandated by the Soviet state, promoting the ideals of socialism by depicting the working class and socialist achievements in a positive light.

Question 10

the united front”

Answer 10

A strategy calling for collaboration between communist and non-communist forces against common enemies, particularly fascism in the 1930s.

Question 11

Grand Alliance

Answer 11

The WWII alliance of the Soviet Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, united against Nazi Germany and the Axis Powers.

Question 12

Siege of Leningrad 1941

Answer 12

A brutal, prolonged siege by German forces on Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), resulting in massive civilian starvation and hardship from 1941 to 1944.

Question 13

Battle for Stalingrad 1942

Answer 13

A pivotal WWII battle where Soviet forces defeated the Germans in Stalingrad, marking a turning point on the Eastern Front.

Question 14

Battle of Kursk 1943

Answer 14

A major WWII battle marked by one of the largest tank engagements in history, leading to a decisive Soviet victory against Germany.

Question 15

Katyn Forest massacre

Answer 15

A 1940 massacre of Polish officers and intellectuals by Soviet forces, later acknowledged by the Soviet Union, leading to strained Soviet-Polish relations.

Question 16

Great Fatherland War

Answer 16

The term used by the Soviet Union to describe the Eastern Front of WWII, highlighting the Soviet struggle against Nazi Germany from 1941 to 1945.

Question 17

Iron curtain

Answer 17

A term popularized by Winston Churchill to describe the ideological and physical division between the Soviet-controlled East and the Western democracies after WWII.

Question 18

Encirclement

Answer 18

The Soviet perception of being surrounded by hostile capitalist countries, influencing Soviet defensive and aggressive policies.

Question 19

Josep Broz (Tito)

Answer 19

Leader of Yugoslavia who pursued an independent socialist path, challenging Soviet dominance and leading to a rift with Stalin.

Question 20

Cominform

Answer 20

The Communist Information Bureau established in 1947 to coordinate actions among Communist parties in Europe, aiming to consolidate Soviet influence.

Question 21

Marshall Plan

Answer 21

A U.S. initiative providing economic aid to Western Europe post-WWII to counter Soviet influence and promote recovery.

Question 22

Truman Doctrine

Answer 22

A U.S. policy declaring support for countries threatened by communism, marking the start of active American containment of Soviet influence.

Question 23

NATO

Answer 23

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance formed in 1949 among Western nations to counter Soviet power.

Question 24

Warsaw Pact

Answer 24

A 1955 collective defense treaty among Soviet and Eastern Bloc nations, created in response to NATO.

Question 25

Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon)

Answer 25

An economic organization of communist states established in 1949 to facilitate economic cooperation under Soviet leadership.

Question 26

Bourgeois cosmopolitanism

Answer 26

A Soviet term denouncing pro-Western attitudes and foreign influences perceived as contrary to socialist values.

Question 27

Lavrenti Beria

Answer 27

Head of the Soviet secret police and one of Stalin’s closest aides, involved in numerous purges; later executed after Stalin’s death.

Question 28

“collective leadership”

Answer 28

A political approach in the USSR following Stalin’s death, promoting governance by group consensus to prevent the rise of another dictator.

Question 29

Politburo (Presidium)

Answer 29

The executive committee of the Communist Party, holding significant power over the Soviet Union’s policy-making.

Question 30

“de-Stalinization”

Answer 30

Khrushchev’s policy aimed at reforming the USSR by reducing Stalin’s influence, condemning his purges, and easing repressive measures.

Question 31

“the thaw”

Answer 31

A period of cultural and political relaxation under Khrushchev, allowing greater freedom of expression and slightly less censorship.

Question 32

Wladyslaw Gomulka

Answer 32

Polish communist leader known for limited reforms and efforts to reduce Soviet influence in Poland in the 1950s and 1960s.

Question 33

“revisionism”

Answer 33

A term used to criticize deviations from orthodox Marxist doctrine; often applied to socialist leaders advocating reform or compromise with the West.

Question 34

Berlin Wall

Answer 34

A barrier constructed in 1961 by East Germany to prevent East Berliners from fleeing to West Berlin, symbolizing Cold War division.

Question 35

Cuban missile crisis

Answer 35

A 1962 confrontation between the U.S. and the USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba, bringing the world close to nuclear conflict.

Question 36

Second economy

Answer 36

The informal economy in the USSR where people engaged in private enterprise outside state-sanctioned activities.

Question 37

“developed socialism”

Answer 37

A Brezhnev-era concept asserting the USSR’s progression toward an advanced socialist society, justifying limited reform.

Question 38

Brezhnev Doctrine

Answer 38

A policy stating that the USSR could intervene in any socialist country if socialism was threatened, justifying Soviet interventions.

Question 39

Samizdat

Answer 39

The underground press in the USSR, through which dissidents distributed banned literature and criticisms of the Soviet regime.

Question 40

Refusniks

Answer 40

Soviet Jews denied permission to emigrate, often facing discrimination and limited rights within the USSR.

Question 41

Yuri Andropov 1982

Answer 41

Soviet leader known for promoting modest reforms, advocating for discipline, and addressing corruption; served briefly until his death in 1984.

Question 42

Konstantin Chernenko 1984

Answer 42

The Soviet leader who succeeded Andropov, known for a conservative approach, with limited reforms until his death in 1985.

Question 43

Containment

Answer 43

A U.S. Cold War policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism by countering Soviet influence globally.