Personality cults Flashcards
What was Lenin’s image that allowed a cult of Lenin?
Lenin presented as a prophet leading Soviet people to a better future
Described as saintly, a man willing to suffer and sacrifice his life for his people
How did Stalins cult form?
and what is it
Emphasised that he was the ‘Lenin of Today” - he was the legitimate ruler shared same visionary
Stalins cult required manipulation of history - to suggest Lenin and Stalin led revolution together since 1917
From early 1930s pictures altered, stressed Stalins leading role and Trotsky’s treachery
Presented as ‘Vozhd’ leader with ultimate authority
How did Khrushchev begin his cult
Criticised Stalins cult of personality 1955 - 1966
Khrushchev used the cult of Lenin in propaganda, Khrushchev became centre of his own cult
What was Khrushchevs appearance in his cult
- Disciple of Lenin completing his journey that he started
- Respected statesman who negotiated with US president as an equal
- Hero of WW2
- Great reformer who was perfecting the Soviet System
How did Brezhnev start his cult?
He was seen as:
A great Leninist who continued Lenin’s wrk
A military hero who fought bravely WW2
Dedicated to world peace through Detente
ridiculed as Brezhnev was a privileged bureaucrat not a great revolutionary
