Political Authority in 1945-53 Flashcards
What years are referred to as ‘high-stalinism?’
1945-53
Why was Stalin concerned about the increased party membership?
Those who joined during wartime had joined under lax wartime rules making the party potentially unreliable.
How did Stalin regain control of wartime institutions?
He took the role of Minister of Defence himself.
Why did Stalin demote Marshal Zhukov?
He threatened Stalin’s authority
How many party congresses were held between 1939-52?
None
What was the affect of Stalin destroying Party autonomy?
he reduced the party’s power to a mere chain of command.
When was Zhdanovschina launched?
1946
What was Zhdanovschina?
A cultural purge; perhaps out of fear of Westernisation during the war years.
What two literary journals were the first to be purged during Zhdanovschina?
The Adventures of a Monkey & A journal of Anna Akhmatova’s poetry.
How was education affected during Zhdanovschina?
The study of maths, physics and chemistry was governed by Marxist principles & Scholarship that didn’t conform to official Marxist interpretations was rejected.
What year did Stalin decide Russian would be the language used once the socialist revolution was complete?
1950
Why did Stalin demand excessive isolation from the non-soviet world at this time?
Out of security fears due to the emerging cold war; also, due to fears of contaminating ideologies.
When was the law passed forbidding marriage to a foreigner?
February, 1947.
How many wartime survivors were sent to Gulags during this period?
12 million.
Why did Stalin view the Jews as enemies at this time?
Israel turned out to be pro-USA.
What year were the Jewish wives of politburo members arrested?
1949
When was the purge launched in Georgia?
1951-2
What was the aim of the purge against Georgia?
Directed at the followers of Lavrenty Beria, it can be assumed the aim was to weaken Beria’s authority.
What stimulated the Doctor’s plot, 1952?
A doctor wrote to Stalin claiming other doctors had failed to diagnose Zhdanov correctly. After his death, the file was reopened and Stalin ordered the Doctors’ arrests.
Who did Stalin blame for the Doctor’s plot?
The jews in medical professions.
How did Stalin punish those involved in the doctors plot?
The 9 doctors were executed.
Doctors were tortured for confessions.
Thousands of jews were lined up and deported.
Who spoke at the Party Congress in October 1952?
Malenkov & Khrushchev.
What announcements did Krushchev make at the October Party Congress?
The Orgburo was to be abolished & the Politburo replaced with the Presidium.
When did Stalin die?
March 1953
