Stalin⭐ Flashcards
Why non-disclosure of Lenin’s testament was a reason for Stalin’s rise?
During Lenin’s semi-retirement, he grew suspicious of Stalin. In his testament, he stated that Stalin should be removed from his role of Secretary General.
It wasn’t published as it criticised all potential successors, so disclosing would affect their political standing. Also, more people saw Trotsky as a greater threat.
Stalin remains as Secretary General, allowing him to build up his power base & crush Trotsky. If testament was read out, Lenin would get the effect and Stalin wouldn’t have his role, preventing him from manipulating his way to rise in power
Hence, this was in Stalin’s favour
Why Trotsky’s unpopularity in the politburo was a reason for Stalin’s rise
Trotsky was outspoken and openly criticised Lenin & the party’s policies. e.g. the New Economic Policy, making him seem arrogant.
As head of the Red Army, he had great power & was thus seen as the biggest threat by other contenders for Lenin’s position
Troika Alliance was made by Stalin, Zinoviev & Kamenev to remove & discredit Trotsky.
Trotsky’s “Permanent revolution”: to start communist revolutions around the world. This was an unpopular idea and gained little support from party members. Mainly because they were weary of the prospect of fighting.
They also found him less nationalistic and practical than Stalin’s “socialism in one country” which focused on strengthening Russia first. Trotsky’s outspoken criticisms of Lenin openly challenged the party and showed disrespect for Lenin and disloyalty. His arrogant personality offended many party members and undermined his position in the party.
His power in the Red Army prompted a Troika alliance between Stalin, Zinoviev and Kamenev to ally together and discredit and remove him. And his ideology made him lose credibility and lack support, as a power struggle against Stalin took shape. Hence, Trotsky’s unpopularity in the Politburo made him lose support and became an easy target for opponents to attack. And Stalin took advantage of his vulnerable position to manipulate and remove him as a threat, paving his rise to power.
Why was Stalin’s manipulations a reason for Stalin’s rise
After Lenin fell sick in 1922, Stalin visited him often and acted as his connection to the world. This made it seem like he was very close to Lenin. And when Lenin died, Stalin organised his funeral and made it a grand affair. He gave the final speech and set himself as chief mourner. Stalin also kept Trotsky away from the funeral by giving him the wrong date. And the city of Petrograd would be renamed as Leningrad.
By pretending to be close to Lenin, it gave party members the impression that Lenin favoured and trusted Stalin. It helped boost his political standing and gain support, whilst Trotsky’s absence from the funeral made him lose favour for many for what seemed like a sign of disrespect to Lenin. Through the manoeuvring of events, Stalin projected himself favourably to the Russians, and it looked like Stalin should be the natural successor to Lenin.
This helped him grow his support base, as he rose to power.
Why collectivisation was an economic impact
Collectivisation refers to the merging of small individual farms into large collective farms. Until 1928, farming in the USSR was backward and primitive farming methods were used so production was very low. Under collectivisation, everything including land and farming tools belonged to the state, which would decide what peasants should use and what to grow. Machinery such as tractors were provided. And Stalin hoped that mechanisation can improve efficiency and production. This also gives the USSR more control over farming.
By doing this, Stalin wanted to end inequality between the kulaks and peasants to bring about a classless society, as kulaks lost possessions such as their land, becoming just like peasants. Furthermore, the use of machinery would make work for the peasants easier and more convenient, thus less labour was needed for farming and manpower can be converted to industries and factories. This would also help the state control the food supply and increase the production of crops, which can be cold to make extra funds for industrialisation.
Thus, collectivisation would help to bring about the communist ideal of a classless society, improving farm efficiency so that labour can be channelled to the industry. And support Stalin’s industrialisation plans as it helped to provide much needed resources such as food and capital, needed for industrialisation. Therefore, one economic impact of Stalin’s dictatorship is collectivisation which helped to improved the economy.
Why rapid industrialisation was an economic impact
Stalin introduced the “Five-Year Plans” to industrialise the economy. The focus was to improve the development of heavy industries such as iron, coal and electricity. High targets were also set for the production of farm equipment to modernise farming, as well as various industries. Stalin introduced these plans because he believed that the USSR was 50 years behind Western countries. So he wanted to expand the industrial workforce to catch up.
The development of heavy industries enabled the USSR its own industrial base for arms production and build up its military strength. The development of key resources such as iron strengthened its industrial capacity and the USSR to close the development gap between the USSR and the West. The plans would also produce equipment for the mechanisation of farming so that farms could in turn free up labour and produce more food to support factory workers.
Thus, Stalin introduced rapid industrialisation to modernise the economy and make it more reliant on the industrial sector. This would make the country stronger, catching up with the West and not risk being defeated by Western countries. Therefore, one economic impact of Stalin’s dictatorship was rapid industrialisation.
Why the great terror was a political impact
From 1934 to 1938, Stalin used purges, show trials, arrests and executions to eliminate his opponents and instill fear. Political rivals such as Kamenev and Zinoviev were put on show trials before they were executed. Many were forced to confess crimes they did not commit due to harsh tortures and fear of losing their loved ones and were eventually killed.
For example, many high-ranking military commanders and red army officers were accused of treason and were killed. Stalin also formed the secret police, who forced and arrested oppressors who voiced out against Stalin. Many workers, peasants and intellectuals such as teachers and scientists were also arrested to prevent them from organising resistance groups against Stalin’s leadership. Many of them were either sent to gulags, where they died due to harsh living conditions.
The use of fear during the Great Terror enabled Stalin to consolidate his power and controlled the people as they forced people to conform so as to save their lives. However, by causing deaths and tremendous misery and hardships among the people, the Great Terror worsened the livers of the people, as it created an atmosphere of fear among the people. Moreover, mass executions greatly affected the strength of the country. As the loss of scientists and engineers weakened the civil service and shrank the workforce that could drive Stalin’s industrialisation. In addition, the purging of red army commanders meant there was a lack of experienced military personnel to lead the army. Weakening the Soviet defences.
Therefore, Stalin’s Great Terror instilled fear among the Soviet people, causing hardship and misery for the people, worsening the quality of life.
Why propaganda was a political impact
Stalin used propaganda in mediums such as films and newspapers to protect himself as a positive image, a father of the people and the rightful successor to Lenin so as to legitimise his authority. Pictures and propaganda posters of Stalin were placed everywhere to remind people of Stalin’s great contributions. Large portions of Soviet history were rewritten to discredit Stalin’s rivals and to boost his status.
The clever use of propaganda boosted Stalin’s authority both within and among the people, as the indisputable leader and saviour of the country. This would help him win the continued support of the Soviet people and legitimate his rules, ensuring their obedience to him.
Therefore, the effective use, of propaganda to protect a positive image of Stalin helped him to control the people by winning over their loyalty, support and obedience. This made sure Stalin stayed in power and make opposition even more impossible.
Why increased literacy rates were a +ve social impact
Schooling was made compulsory and every child had 9 years of education provided for free. There was an emphasis on technical subjects to train them for the economy. Education also became a tool for propaganda and indoctrination.
The rate of literacy among Soviet men aged 9 to 40 increased rose from 40% in 1939. This broadened the perspective of the people and improved their chances of getting jobs, thus improving their lives. It also improved the quality of the Soviet workforce, which was beneficial to the economy and economic success.
Thus, Stalin’s leadership benefitted the country and the people, as it increased the literacy rates of the Soviet people.
Why women’s entry into the workforce was a +ve social impact
The Soviet constitution guaranteed equal rights for women. Stalin’s industrialisation efforts encouraged women to enter the workforce and become productive members of society so as to cater to the growing need for labour.
All these helped to enhance the status of women and opened up more opportunities for women. But at the same time, women had to juggle between demands at work and at home. By 1936, abortion was again made illegal in order to protect motherhood and childhood.
Stalin’s leadership saw the entry of women into the workforce and boosted the status of women in Soviet society.
Why living in fear was a social impact
Stalin’s dictatorship created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion. During the Great Terror from 1934 to 1938, Stalin used purges and show trials, arrests and executions to determine his opponents and instill fear. The secret police had informers everywhere to watch over the people for any slight indication of anti-Stalin semitism, which can warrant an arrest. People knew they were being watched and did not know who they could trust. Those arrested were tortured, exiled or killed. The secret police arrested and forced people to give information about their friends and family who voiced opposition against Stalin. Anyone could be arrested as an oppressor.
The use of terror during the Great Terror by the secret police worsened the lives and relationships of the Soviet people, as they lived in constant fear of being tortured. The atmosphere of fear made life unbearable and caused immense hardship and misery. Thus, Stalin’s dictatorship affected the lives of the Soviet people as they were gripped by the constant fear of losing their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
Why loss of autonomy of minority communities was a social impact
The various minority republics in the Soviet Union lost their autonomy under Stalin’s rule, with power in his and the communist party’s hands. As a result, these minority nationalities were subjected to Stalin’s totalitarian control over the governments and society. And those who dared to advocate freedom for their republics were targeted and eliminated during the Great Terror.
The tight Soviet control and loss of autonomy affected the lives of the people and led to growing dissatisfaction with Stalin and the communist regime.
Therefore, Stalin’s rule and control over the minority republics led to growing resentment against the communist regime, thereby affecting the Unity of the USSR.
