Stalin - Impact of leadership

Question 1

Explain why a ‘Stalin cult’ developed in the USSR in the 1930s. (12 marks)

Answer 1

• Stalin as well as many other Russians, believed that a strong leader was essential for the USSR.
• The USSR had always used and relied on propaganda so it was natural that the leader would be surrounded by it therefore have a cult.
• It fulfilled political objectives: it gave Stalin a political ‘legitimacy’ since he’d never been officially elected as leader, and was important for taking Lenin’s role/responsibility.
• Gave the regime focus: persuaded people there was someone looking out for them etc. in an uncertain world - made Stalin seem blameless for Terror etc.
  (Political motives, Stalin’s personal character, or ideological motives)

Question 2

The use of propaganda was the main reason for the survival of Stalin’s regime in the
1930s.’ (24 marks)

Answer 2

Agree:
- Propaganda was seen as essential to support the claim that the regime was taking the
country forward and that sacrifices were necessary on the way, when life was difficult.
- Was an important was of reaching the masses, especially illiterate peasants etc. and controlled views through mass media like film, radio, press.
- A useful way of covering up events like the purges.

Disagree:

• In a one-party state with little real freedom, did people really believe propaganda or were they just too afraid to go against the official line? Thousands of Soviet citizens complained every day to official channels about aspects of their life.
• The regime had to rely on terror and threat/use of force eg. the purges.
• Other sucesses of the regime eg. industrialisation promoted support because it was evidence

Question 3

‘The use of propaganda was the main reason for the strength of Stalin’s regime in the
1930s.’ (24 marks)

Answer 3

• Propaganda pervaded every aspect of life and was used to glorify the cult of Stalin, justify the regime’s policies, denounce enemies and mobilise the population. Helped reinforce the regime.
• His regime also clearly rested on force: the Terror, gulag, fear of arrest etc. meant that if propaganda didn’t convince people to do what Stalin wanted then force would be used to prevent any further action.
• It also rested on other factors: idealists who were genuinely enthused by the Communist vision and Stalin’s leadership,
• Soviet citizens experienced some benefits in late 1930s such as education and better economic conditions.
• Fear of foreign opposition, no alternative party or view.

Question 4

Importance of propaganda

Answer 4

• collectivisation extended party control so they could be bombarded with propaganda from party activists.
• ## peasants more likely to be literate: schools on collective farms.