Condition of the Soviet Union by 1941 Flashcards
What was Lenins Political vision?
Dictatorship of the proletariat
withering away of the State government
widespread acceptance of Marxism
What evidence was there that Political ideology had been fulfilled by 1941?
highly centralised and authoritarian one-party state
intolerance of opposition
defeat of ideological and political enemies
ban on factions and 1921
What evidence was there that Political ideology had NOT been fulfilled by 1941?
Nomenklatura system of privileges rewarded loyal party officials + meant decisions were made by a small group of ppl
ultimate source of authority concentrated in Stalin not the party
personal dictatorship
Party increased in power and brutality
(millions of ordinary citizens + 600,000 party members executed)
What was Lenin’s Economic vision?
no capitalism
no profit
no free market
pooled resources
command economy
What evidence was there that Economic ideology had been fulfilled by 1941?
industrialised and urbanised nation → helped win WW2
command economy collectivization, 5-year plans
Soviet becoming self-sufficient
Stakhonovite movement = ideal socialist man
What evidence was there that Economic ideology had NOT been fulfilled by 1941?
Workers didn’t have power and were constantly supervisedby party officials
massive increase in heavy industry whilst consumer production was neglected so there was no pooling of resources
still producing less grain by 1941 so there was still poverty
poor living conditions
NEP + 5-year plan and collectivization failure
What was Lenins Social vision?
classless Society
ideal socialist man
women’s equality
no religion
national minorities having self-determination
What evidence was there that Social ideology had been fulfilled by 1941?
Dekulakisation and attacks on the bourgeoise
urbanisation led to a stronger working class
Stakhanovite = ideal socialist man
collectivization socialised the peasants and taught socialist communal values
What evidence was there that Social ideology had NOT been fulfilled by 1941?
not a classless Society but a hierarchical society dominated by privileged elite
nomenklatura system rewards loyal party officials
wage differentials + incentives created a proletariat elite
urban and rural workers ruthlessly driven by socialist masters instead of capitalist employers
the state didn’t wither away but became more powerful
need for repression = gulags
Stalin’s policies towards women and national minorities
by 1941 ~60% identified as believers
