R4.3 Cult of Stalin

Question 1

What was seen as the rapid catalyst for growth of the Stalin Cult?

Answer 1

Stalins 50th Birthday on December 1929

Question 2

What was Stalins role portrayed as?

Answer 2

He inspired confidence during a period of change, he was shown on portraits with Marx, Lenin and Stalin in continuous progression
His role was seen to be the mighty leader, father of the nation and universal genius

Question 3

What was published in 1938?

Answer 3

The History of the All-Union Communist Party, this was the main historical textbook for schools and universities, it was known as -> THE SHORT COURSE

Question 4

What did Stalins book contain?

Answer 4

-Stalin was shown to have played a major role in revolutions/civil war
-Trotsky and other Bolsheviks enemies of the people
-Photos doctored to remove Stalin’s enemies and show Stalin with Lenin
-History became communist success
-All paths glorify Stalinism

Question 5

How many copies of Stalins book sold?

Answer 5

34 million copies by 1948

Question 6

How did people show devotion to Stalin?

Answer 6

-Some peasants and workers created a “red corner” of great leaders in their homes, Stalin being known as the “Red Tsar”
-Stalin may not have encouraged this behaviour but didn’t stop it

Question 7

What was Lenin’s views on literature and arts?

Answer 7

A traditionalist, he encouraged freedom of expression as long as it didn’t oppose revolution, this continued through 1920s following his death

Question 8

What was Stalin’s attitude towards literature and arts?

Answer 8

Viewed it as nothing more than propaganda, thus they were all only considered valuable and legitimate if they supported socialist ideology

Question 9

What was established in 1932?

Answer 9

That all writers had to belong to the Union of Soviet Writers, and similar bodies were established for other professions (Musicians, Film-Makers, Sculptors)

Question 10

How were non membership artists treated?

Answer 10

Weren’t particularly prosecuted but this meant artistic isolation with no opportunity for commissions or sale of work, so would need to join a body to gain money

Question 11

What was Socialism Realism?

Answer 11

A new doctrine, it set out guidelines for art, literature and cultural expression in general
It wanted all writers and artists to not represent current soviet life but to show what it might become in the future

Question 12

When was First Congress of the Union of Soviet Writers, and what happened?

Answer 12

April 1934, the first congress: Andrei Zhdanov first talked about the principles of Socialist Realism:
-Cultural works expected to glorify the Union of Soviet Writers
-Messages conveyed to be uplifting, optimistic and positive

Question 13

What was a popular novel during this time?

Answer 13

Nikolai Ostrovskys “How the Steel Was Tempered” which had a message of happy endings

Question 14

Who was Andrei Zhdanov?

Answer 14

-An old bolshevik who worked his way up the ranks
-Became Party Secretary in Leningrad 1934
-Became member Politburo 1939
-Led defence of Leningrad GPW 1941-44
-Appointed direct cultural policy across Soviet Union in 1946

Question 15

What became of Andrei Zhdanov?

Answer 15

In 1948 he suddenly died, amidst rumours Stalin deliberately removed him

Question 16

How was Soviet Culture designed to be appreciated by the proletariat?

Answer 16

Although this was intended, there was no attempt to create a new “Proletarian culture” distinct from the bourgeoisie of pre-revolution
-Great works of the 19th century were much read, seen, heard and copied

Question 17

What art and music was popular at this time?

Answer 17

-Landscape art became popular, particularly ones showing nature being tamed by Soviet industry
-Music had a return of classical Russian composers: Glinka and Tchaikovsky

Question 18

What literature was popular at this time?

Answer 18

Writers such as: Pushkin and Tolstoy

Question 19

What were Folk Choirs and Dancing troupes?

Answer 19

They appeared, representing a Russian “national culture” and performing in folklore festivals, this theme tied will with Stalin’s commitment to “national” values and praise for Russia’s great heritage

Question 20

What was the role of Moscow during this time?

Answer 20

It was transformed and epitomised socialist realism in architecture, the style was monumental with Lenin’s mausoleum “shrine” on the red square “parade ground” in the shadow of the Kremlin

Question 21

What happened to the Kremlin?

Answer 21

In 1935, five red stars replaced the imperial eagles which had been removed, as well as the Moscow Metro opened in this year which had stations designed as “palaces of light”

Question 22

What was propaganda like during this time?

Answer 22

Stalin relied heavily on this to support policies, Military terminology was often used, class enemies were damned and pictures of happy, productive workers reinforced the socialist message of Stalin’s collectivisation and industrial policies

Question 23

What was the worker-hero trope?

Answer 23

A common propagandist theme and Stakhanov was celebrated through this as a role model, young men would accomplish heroic endeavours and appear on the front page of Pravda more often than Stalin himself between 1937-38

Question 24

Were there female Stakhanovites?

Answer 24

Yes, 25% of all female factory workers were described as “norm-breaking”, and the other women were praised as “mother-heroines” for raising large families

Question 25

What and when did Vera Mukhina produce?

Answer 25

A massive stainless steel scuplture of the “Worker and Kolkhoz woman” for the world trade fair in paris 1937

Question 26

What was the story of Pavlik Morozov?

Answer 26

A popular heroic story that became a children’s favourite:
-Pavlik was a 13 year old boy who allegedly denounced his own father of a friend of Kulaks in 1932
-He was then brutally murdered with his younger brother by his grandfather
-Pavlik was upheld as a model for all children to follow and his story was well publicised as the subject of books, songs, plays, poems, an opera and six biographies

Question 27

What were the 6 components of the Stalin Cult?

Answer 27

-Infallibility
-Relationship to Lenin
-Patronage
-Propaganda
-Tsarist Symbolism
-Falsification of History