chapter 20 Flashcards
when was high stalinism?
1945-53
what defined the period of high stalinism?
stalin’s loyal supporters reaching a ‘cult of personality’
why was stalin worried about his party post WW2
membership restrictions had become more relaxed and there was a huge increase. wasnt sure if they were all ideological - especially as it had been so long before any actual ideological politics took place
how did stalin keep control of the military?
took role of minister of defence and moved higher ranking officers to inferior posts
eg. Zhukov, sent to military command in Odessa and lost position on central committee of the party. was seen as leadership rival
how did stalin dominate political power?
prevented party congress from meeting often1939-52 they should have met every 3 years
only met 6 times between 1939-52
how many party members was there in 1952?
7 million
how did stalin keep western influence out of russia?
everything condemned as bourgeois or decadent while russian things are superior and uplifting
non-communiest foreign papers didnt exist in russia, and radio transmissions too
what was the style of art pushed upon artists, writers etc?
socialist realism
what is a type of discrimination that stalin encouraged?
anti-semitism
jewish literature such as drama or newspapers were closed down
nazi atrocities portrayed but didnt mention jews
what is an example of enforcing ideological beliefs?
marxist principles govern STEM subjects
why did stalin demand such isolation for the soviet union?
concern for national security during the emerging cold war and a fear of ideological contamination
what were the likely punishments for an offender?
-gulag for no rest workdays and no food or proper equipment
-death
-death for all family and relations
who was at the head of the security apparatus and responsible for expanding the gulag system?
Lavrenti Beria
what were the two seperate ministries of the NKVD?
MVD and MGB
how many were arrested annually?
tens of thousands
‘counter-revolutionary activities’
how many total went to labour camps?
12 million wartime survivors
what was the leningrad case in 1949?
stalin decided to take a stance against the leningrad party - had always shown some independence in actions and views
on false evidence, leading officials were arrested
included head of Gosplan
four of the arrested were executed
why did stalin have his anti-semitic views?
found out Israel was pro-USA and his stance switched. feared all jews in the USSR were potential enemies
which figure did stalin see as a threat due to his anti-semitic ideology?
israel ambassador to the USSA - Golda Meir visited in 1948
was enthuastically cheered everywhere
how did stalin respond to his fear of jews?
-mysteriously killed director of jewish theatre in moscow in 1948 - Mikhoels
-jewish wives of politburo members (molotov & kalinin) were arrested in 1949
what was the mingrelian case 1951-52?
georgian purge
directed against followers of very popular beria
accused of collabing w westerners
aimed to weaken authority of beria
what was the doctors plot 1952?
doctor wrote to stalin 2 days before Zhandov’s death 1948 accusing 9 doctors of being unable to properly diagnose ans treat - therefore they ‘murdered him’
what did stalin say abt the doctors plot?
reopened in 1952 - accused jews of using their medical power to harm USSR
hundreds of doctors were arrested and tortured
thousands of ordinary jews were deported to labour camps
what may have caused stalin’s increase in paranoia?
stroke in 1946
how did stalins culyt of personality view him post-war
god-like status
worlds greatest genius in all possible ways as portrayed in all media
‘man of the people’ despite not visiting a peasant village for 25 years
patriach of russia
what was physical proof of stalins cult of personality?
towns using stalins name - stalingrad, stalinsk
stalin prizes (nobel prizes)
monuments everywhere
when did stalin die?
march 1953
what issue did stalin leave in his death?
no clear successor
