Soviet Government and Leadership 1918-1929 - Social and Cultural Change Flashcards
1
Q
What were the 5 main areas that underwent large quantities of social and cultural change under Stalin?
A
- Class
- Women and the Family
- Education and Youth –> Youth Organisations!
- Religion
- National Minorities
- Propaganda and Culture
2
Q
(CLASS) What theory did Bolsheviks follow?
A
Marxism / Marxist Theory!
3
Q
(CLASS) Whose enemies did the Bolshevik revolution campaign against?
A
The ‘class’ enemies of the proletariat.
4
Q
(CLASS) In terms of class, what was abolished?
A
Class titles.
5
Q
(CLASS) Who made up ‘former people’?
A
Nobles and the bourgeoisie.
6
Q
(CLASS) What were the ‘former people’ forced into?
A
They were forced into menial tasks (tasks that did not require much skill).
7
Q
(CLASS) What were the ‘former people’s’ homes turned into?
A
They were turned into communal houses for workers (komunalki)!
8
Q
(CLASS) TRUE OR FALSE: During the Civil War, rations WERE NOT allocated according to class; workers and soldiers received the LEAST!
A
FALSE - During the Civil War, rations WERE allocated according to class; workers and soldiers received the most!
9
Q
(CLASS) Did class-based attacks continue under Stalin?
A
TRUE!
10
Q
(CLASS) What was the Communist aim / What did they want to create?
A
They wanted to create a ‘socialist man’; a man or woman with a sense of social responsibility who would willingly serve the State.
11
Q
(CLASS) What was an important step in creating ‘socialist man’?
A
Proletarianisation!
12
Q
(CLASS) What is the definition of ‘Proletarianisation’?
A
To turn the mass of the population (the proletariat) into urban workers!
13
Q
(CLASS) After the short ‘workers’ control period of 1917, did discipline in factories restore itself?
A
Yes!
14
Q
(CLASS) What were the punishments in place for workers after 1918?
A
- They could not leave their jobs
- They could be shot or imprisoned for missing targets
15
Q
(CLASS) What became a means of controlling the workers?
A
Unions!
16
Q
(CLASS) What types of conditions remained grim throughout the NEP and worsened because of collectivisation and the industrialisation drive?
A
- Living conditions
- Working conditions
17
Q
(CLASS) From 1931, what created better opportunities for workers?
A
Industrialisation!
18
Q
(CLASS) Give an example of one propaganda campaign.
A
The Stakhanovite Movement - This was a movement named after a miner called Stakhanovite, whose inflated achievements were hailed as an example to others.
19
Q
(CLASS) What did propaganda campaigns increase?
A
They increased ‘socialist competition’.
20
Q
(CLASS) TRUE OR FALSE: Social mobility INCREASED?
A
TRUE!
21
Q
(CLASS) What were the negatives / issues regarding the ‘classless society’ under Stalin?
A
- Living conditions remained poor
- Wages remained low, whilst market prices were still high
22
Q
(CLASS) From 1940, the prospect of ‘what’ led to firmer discipline?
A
WAR!
23
Q
(WOMEN) Before the Revolution, what were peasant women expected to do?
A
They were expected to look after their households and their children.
24
Q
(WOMEN) TRUE OR FALSE: Before the Revolution, peasant women had NO legal rights or privileges?
A
TRUE!
25
(WOMEN) In November 1917, what did the new government outlaw and introduce for women?
They outlawed sex discrimination and they gave women the right to own property!
26
(WOMEN) What are some examples of some of the Early Policies before Stalin (Under Lenin)? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 5 here!
- The Church's influence was removed
- Divorce was legalised
- Abortion was legalised
- Women were given the right to work
- Girls were given the same educational rights as boys
27
(WOMEN) What was a downside to the Early Policies? HINT: Dual Burden!
Although the Early Policies provided opportunities for women, women had to manage both work and home!
28
(WOMEN) What were some examples of some of the Stalinist Policies that were introduced? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 6 here!
- The family was portrayed as 'all-important' (especially in propaganda)
- Women were encouraged to give up paid employment when they were married
- Marriage was encouraged
- Divorce was attacked; adultery became a criminal offence
- Abortion was attacked; contraception was banned
- Financial incentive were offered for larger families (tax cuts!)
29
(WOMEN) Although the Stalinist Policies were introduced, what happened in society? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 2 here!
- The numbers of women in work (either in industry or on the collective farms) or in education grew; this was helped by an increase in state nurseries and child-creches, which reduced the impact of the dual burden on women!
- The divorce rate remained high, abortion continued and population-growth fell (which is what Stalin wanted to achieve with his policies)!
30
(EDUCATION) Why was Education important to the Bolsheviks?
It was seen as essential to build a socialist society!
31
(EDUCATION) What were some of the examples of the policies introduced under Lenin? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 5 here!
- Free education was provided at all levels in co-educational schools
- New secondary schools combined general education with vocational training
- Traditional learning was combined with physical work
- Textbook and exams were largely abolished
Some freedom, creativity and individualism was permitted
- Physical punishment (such as the use of the cane) was banned
32
(EDUCATION) What were some of examples of the policies introduced under Stalin (these mainly overturned Lenin's policies)? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 6 here!
- Education for all was abandoned; some single-sex schools were reinforced
- Although 'practical' work was encouraged for the less able, the emphasis was on former teaching to develop industrial skills
- Collective farms of town enterprises were responsible for many schools
- Universities were controlled by the Veshenka (the economic planning agency)
- A rigid traditional curriculum was enforced --> Nationalism was introduced and military training was introduced.
- Teachers were set high targets and they were closely supervised
33
(EDUCATION) TRUE OR FALSE: By 1941, there WERE education improvements, including a high rise in literacy?
TRUE!
34
(YOUTH --> YOUTH ORGANISATIONS) In 1918, what was formed?
A Young Communist League - This was people aged from 14-21 years old!
35
(YOUTH --> YOUTH ORGANISATIONS) In 1922, what was formed in relation to the Young Communist League?
A junior section called the Pioneers!
36
(YOUTH --> YOUTH ORGANISATIONS) What was the organisation renamed to in 1926?
'Komsomol' - The 'All-Union Leninist Young Communist League'; the youth division of the Communist Party, which was represented in its own right in the Supreme Soviet
37
(YOUTH --> YOUTH ORGANISATIONS) What was the age-range extended to for the Komsomol in 1926?
Between 10 and 28 years!
38
(YOUTH --> YOUTH ORGANISATIONS) TRUE OR FALSE: Under Stalin's rule, the Komsomol SHRANK in both membership and influence?
FALSE: Under Stalin's rule, the Komsomol GREW in both membership and influence?
39
(YOUTH --> YOUTH ORGANISATIONS) How did the Komsomol teach communist values?
Through clubs, community centre and camps --> They even had its own newspaper!
40
(YOUTH --> YOUTH ORGANISATIONS) In what year did the Komsomol (which was closely linked to the Communist Party) become directly affiliated with the Party?
1939!
41
(YOUTH --> YOUTH ORGANISATIONS) What did members of the Komsomol have to do?
Members had to:
- Take an oath to live, study and fight for the Fatherland
- Wear a uniform
- Help carry out party campaigns
- Assist the Red Army and the Police
42
(RELIGION) What did Karl Marx see religion as?
He saw religion was a mean of justifying the power of the upper classes over the people.
43
(RELIGION) Describe what Religion was like in Russia between 1917-1918 (Under Lenin). HINT: Name as many point as you can; there are around 5 here!
There was freedom of worship, but...
- Church lands were seized
- Schools were transferred to State control
- Civil marriages and registration was established
- The Church and the State were separated
44
(RELIGION) Describe what Religion was like in Russia during the Civil War (Under Lenin). HINT: Name as many points as you can; there are 2 here!
- Many priests were starved (they were deprived of rations)
- Muslim property was confiscated; Sharia courts were abolished (these were courts that gave legal rulings to Muslims, and provided them with advice based on their interpretation of Sharia law)
45
(RELIGION) Describe what Religion was like in Russia from 1921 (Under Lenin). HINT: Name as many points as you can; there are 5 here!
- Teaching of religion in schools was banned
- Church property was transferred to the State
- Church officials were forced to agree to keep out of politics
- Churches were ransacked
- Christian festivals were replaced by secular celebrations
46
(RELIGION) Describe what Religion was like in Russia under Stalin from 1929 to 1941. HINT: Name as many points as you can; there are 6 here!
- Worship was restricted
- A new six-day working week was introduced, which included no Sunday!
- Muslim practices were restricted
- 1936 Constitution - This criminalised religious propaganda (although priests retained the right to vote)
- By 1941, around 65,000 churches and mosques had been converted into other buildings for State use
- Despite this, religious belief remained strong!
47
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) What did Lenin's Nationality Decree of 1917 fulfil?
This fulfilled the Bolsheviks' promise of self-determination!
48
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) When Lenin's Nationality Decree of 1917 led to separatist movements, what did the disagree over?
They disagreed over whether or not to impose integration on the nationalities.
49
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) Where did Stalin brutally suppress independence movements in 1922?
Georgia!
50
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) What did the Communists abolish in 1917?
They abolished anti-Semitic laws!
51
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) What are the 2 things that the Communists encourages / granted in 1917?
- They encouraged national languages
- They granted representation within the Party to the major nationalities!
52
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) What was given to Jews in 1926?
Jews were given a 'National Homeland' in the far Eastern province.
53
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) What was Stalin's aim during the 1930s?
He aimed of creating a single 'Soviet Identity'.
54
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) What were the 2 things that Stalin's aim of creating a 'Soviet Identity' involved?
- Greater centralisation
- Less tolerance
55
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) TRUE OR FALSE: Leaders of the Republics DID NOT have to follow the path set out in Moscow.
FALSE - Leaders of the Republics DID have to follow the path set out in Moscow.
56
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) What happened to Non-Russians and Anti-Semitic attitudes?
- Non-Russians = They were deported within the Soviet Union
- Anti-Semitic Attitudes = These revived / came back
57
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) What happened regarding the Russian language from 1938?
- Learning Russian was compulsory in schools
- Russian was the only language used in the Red Army
58
(NATIONAL MINORITIES) What did the Stalinist State remained officially opposed to?
Racial discrimination = Most of their campaigns were politically motivated, rather than racially motivated!
59
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What did Lenin use to convert people to Socialism?
Propaganda!
60
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) Who were strong, visual messages a powerful way of appealing to?
Illiterate peasants!
61
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What 2 things did Stalin use his propaganda to gain support for?
- Collectivisation
- Industrialisation
62
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What was the Socialist message reinforced by?
Images of happy, productive workers, whilst heroes were praised as role models!
63
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What did Stalin's propaganda also reinforce? HINT: Stalin's position and image!
Stalin's propaganda reinforced his own position and portrayed him as a mighty, all-knowing leader; he portrayed himself as a natural successor to Marx, Engels, Lenin.
64
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What did he encourage for Lenin after his death?
He encouraged 'cult status' for Lenin; he developed his own 'cult of personality'!
65
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What allowed culture to thrive immediately after the Revolution?
Greater freedom!
66
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What did the 1920s become known as regarding Russian Literature, Poetry and Music?
Freedom of expression was encouraged!
The 1920s become known as the 'Silver Age' or Russian Literature, Poetry and Music!
67
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) TRUE OR FALSE: The Stalinist Era DID NOT reverse the developments made in the 'Silver Age'.
FALSE: The Stalinist Era DID reverse the developments made in the 'Silver Age'.
68
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What was seen as valuable only if they supported the creation of 'socialist man'?
The visual and performing arts!
69
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What replaced Creativity?
Conformity!
70
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) From 1932, who had to belong in Unions, that controlled the output of what they produced? HINT: Name as many groups as you can; there are 4 here!
- Writers
- Musicians
- Artists
- Film-makers
71
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What were writers and artists expected to depict?
'Social Realism'!
72
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What was 'Social Realism' that writers and artists were told to depict?
An uplifting vision of Soviet life in the Socialist future!
73
(PROPAGANDA + CULTURAL CHANGE) What were Literature and Art meant to illustrate?
The Inevitable 'March to Communism' and glorify the working man!
