cult of stalin Flashcards
what did russia have a tradition of
seperting leaders from unpopular decisions e.g prurges called yezhovshina (time of yezhov)
how were lenin and stalin presented
wise (where they could lead and unite the soviet union) and just, caring for ordinary people, simple in their tastes
1st reason cult of stalin made
put stalin beyond crticism. offered sense of stability, in the chaos, there was one man wh could make sense of it all
man responsible for economic advances stalin
posters asscoiated him with latest achievements of ussr
picutred against background of factories, trains and happy collective farmers bringing in harvest eith tractors
in fact he rarely visited fatories or farms
2nd reason cult of stalin made
presented stalin as ‘new lenin’ wh could be centre point of loyalty. strengthened his ruling position
three things ‘official’ stalin was presented as
political genius
prased for economc adances
fatherly, kind and loved by all
political genius stalin
presented as:
fully understanding communist way, could explain life and point to the future
careful to present himelf as the one to understand lenins ideas ‘leninism’ better than the rest.
made him seem humble
fatherly kind and loved by all stalin
posters had him surrounded by kids, applauded by workers, gazed at adoringly.
in fact, he rarely mixed ith ordinry peole outside close circle within his government
hw were messages building cult f stalin communicated (spread around)
through graphic design, art, literature, music and history books
graphic art
posters put up in factoreis, at collective farms and on streets.
showed him as close friend of lenin
showed hs kind nature, and his relationship with people
written and spoken word
books, poems songs and plays written, dedicated to stalin and praising him.
books rewrote histroy, placed stalin at centre of events
stalins role in oct revo and civila war exaggerated, trotsky completely ignored
