Chapter 18 Flashcards
How was the political condition of the USSR by 1941 very different to the socialist utopia
- Marxist doctrine talks of the State withering away
- Stalin not only upheld it like Lenin, but also extended one-party domination, and increased centralisation
Evidence to show that Stalin was able to completely avoid the party by mid-1930’s
No party congresses were called from 1939-52
Evidence that Stalin’s political control wasn’t 100% secure
At lower levels of administration, non-compliance with central orders was widespread
Main way in which Stalin and Lenin differ regarding exercising political authority
Stalin purged all rivals and enemies, Lenin didn’t remove any potential opposition
Evidence of Stalin’s party purge
Over two years, 600,000 party members were purged, including 70% of the 17th Party Congress
What demonstrates the rural hostilty shown to Stalin’s policies by 1941
Warm welcoming Soviets gave to German troops from the invasion
Evidence that by 1941, the USSR was industrially transformed
Overtaken Britain in iron and steel production
Why can’t the USSR be classed as economically transformed by 1941
Consumer goods were scarcer than they were under NEP
On the whole, how did quality of life change for the majority of citizens by 1941
Barely increased
Summary statement as to how society changed in the USSR by 1941
An autocratic elitist society, instead of becoming a ‘classless society’, had been replaced by a new hierarchal society, that remained highly stratified, dominated by the party
Military reasons as to why the USSR was not ready for war by 1941
- Purges of The Red Army leaders meant military was poorly organised
- Despite great investment from 1938, most tanks, aircraft and guns were of old design
- Stalin prioritised the development of traditional battleships over aircraft carriers
