Pre-war Stalin - Politics

Question 1

The political structure under stalin

Answer 1

-party congresses called less frequently, none 1939-52
-stalin had control over all the important positions in government and party
-preferred personally selected committee to full politburo

Question 2

Expansion in party membership

Answer 2

-lenin enrolment 1924/25, doubled membership to 1mil
-number of members 1.6mil by 1930, 3.5mil in 1933
-most new members less educated peasants/workers

Question 3

1936 constitution

Answer 3

-drafted by bukharin, ‘most democratic in the world’
-russian congress of soviets replaced by supreme soviet
-promised autonomy to ethnic groups
-4 yearly elections, voting for 18+ year olds
-freedom from arbitrary arrest and free speech

Question 4

Actual results of the 1936 constitution

Answer 4

-promised rights largely ignored
-elections not contested, right to vote useless
-supreme soviet only met twice a year

Question 5

Stalins cult of personality

Answer 5

-stalin cult fully established years 1933-39
-short course 1938, sold 34mil by 1948
-mass propaganda to glorify stalin as leader