Personality cults - Stalin Flashcards

1
Q

The cult of Stalin was much more _____ than the cult of Lenin

A

extensive

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2
Q

Why did the cult of Stalin require more elaborate techniques?

A

In order t make the past fit with the myth created around Stalin

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3
Q

Stalin’s cult, like Lenin’s before it, served a specific political purpose - what was this?

A

It emphasised Stalin’s legitimacy to take over leadership of the Party
Stalin was fit to rule because he was carrying on Lenin’s work and because he was a heroic genius
Equally, the cult created a figure that Soviet citizens could trust, respect and even worship
Moreover, dissatisfaction with daily life could be blamed on local leaders while citizens could trust Stalin to make a better future

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4
Q

Stalin’s cult was bound up in…

A

the “Myth of Two Leaders”

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5
Q

The “Myth of Two Leaders” led Soviet people to believe…

A

that the October Revolution, victory in the Civil War and the foundation of the Soviet Union had been masterminded by a duumvirate consisting of Lenin and Stalin

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6
Q

What did the “Myth of Two Leaders” require?

A

Soviet history to be extensively rewritten, to place Stalin at the centre of events and to remove Trotsky and other leaders from the story

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7
Q

The “Myth of Two Leaders” required Soviet history to be extensively rewritten, to place Stalin at the centre of events and to remove Trotsky and other leaders from the story. How was this achieved?

A

The publication in 1938 of two histories of the Communist Party, both edited by Stalin
Socialist Realist paintings which were created showing Stalin working closely with Lenin
Altering photographs - Trotsky and other former leaders were taken out of pictures with Lenin

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8
Q

As well as recreating the past, the cult of Stalin implied that Stalin was continuing…

A

on the path created by Lenin

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9
Q

Painters used a variety of techniques to show that Stalin was Lenin’s true heir - provide examples to substantiate this claim

A

Grigory Shegal’s “Leader, Teacher, Friend” shows Stalin standing immediately in front of a bust of Lenin

Gustav Klutsis’ photomontages use a different technique. They show a row of figures running from Marx, through Lenin to Stalin, implying that Stalin is the latest in a tradition of revolutionary leaders

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10
Q

The cult of Stalin also turned Stalin into an _____ and celebrated figure. He was routinely known as “the ____”, which dimply means ____

A

infallible
vozhd
leader

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11
Q

Why is the term “vozhd” significant?

A

The term is significant, because unlike words like President or Prime Minister, “vozhd” has no legal significance. Therefore while the powers of a President or a Prime Minister are limited by the law, the powers of the vozhd have no obvious limit

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12
Q

_____ and other Communist _____ praised the “vozhd’s” ____ daily

A

Pravda
newspapers
wisdom

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13
Q

Stalin’s birthday became…

A

a national celebration with parades

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14
Q

The Stalin Cult _____ following the Second World War

A

changed

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15
Q

Following the Second World War, what became the focus of much Soviet propaganda?

A

Stalin’s role as Generalissimo, or war leader

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16
Q

While Stalin preferred the title ____ to Generalissimo, both titles reflected an increasing emphasis on Stalin as a ____ figure. Before the Second World War Stalin was presented as a ____ and a ____. However, as Generalissimo he was presented as a military ____, as the man who defeated ____ and as the ____ of the nation

A

Marshal
military
revolutionary
thinker
genius
Hitler
saviour

17
Q

This change in presentation following World War Two was accompanied by…

A

a change in the was Stalin was depicted in pictures

18
Q

This change in presentation following World War Two was accompanied by a change in the was Stalin was depicted in pictures - expand on this

A

Up until 1945 Stalin tended to be pictured wearing blue-grey or green military tops. However, in his last years he tended to be painted wearing a white uniform. Stalin designed the uniform himself and the military rank of Generalissimo was created specifically for Stalin