Stalin's Control over the party

Question 1

by the end of 1930, who was in place of B, T, K, B, T & R? what did this mean?

Answer 1

stalin’s cronies = molotov, voroshilov, kalinin & kalanovich
- meant he could ensure the politburo was in agreement with his policies

Question 2

how did terror help?

Answer 2

his previous use on opponents made it clear what would happen if they opposed him

Question 3

how did the number of politburo meetings change?

Answer 3

it used to meet weekly but then only met 9 times a year

Question 4

how would stalin intimidate people?

Answer 4

during important meetings, he would walk around the room whilst the person was speaking

Question 5

how did the soviet constitution of 1936 seem democratic?

Answer 5

• everyone was given the right to vote
• stated that, since classes like kulaks no longer existed, there was no need to deny anyone a vote

Question 6

why wasn’t the soviet constitution of 1936 actually democratic?

Answer 6

• was clear that nothing could threaten the party’s dominance
• only communist candidates in elections
• imposed from above to benefit those on top

Question 7

why did the party want to have a constitution which seemed democratic?

Answer 7

• to try convince countries like britain & france that the USSR had democratic credentials, making them good allies against nazi germany
• to make people feel like they had a choice

Question 8

personal limits on stalin’s power

Answer 8

impossible for stalin to decide & control every issue - couldn’t keep on top of all events in a country so large

Question 9

limits from within the leadership

Answer 9

evidence of politburo opposing some actions
- he wanted to execute ryutin but they disagreed so he was sent to a labour camp for 10 years
- his ambitious targets for the 2nd 5 year plan considered too high by many so forced to accept a hurried redraft with lower targets

Question 10

limits imposed from below

Answer 10

• members concerned about continued threat from enemies & pushed policies that would strengthen socialism - he can be seen as merely following their wishes in bringing about rapid industrialisation
• 1930 = issued a statement severely criticising members ‘dizzy with success’ in implementing collectivisation overzealously
• purges on a local level difficult to keep track of

Question 11

what happened to stalin’s power after WW2?

Answer 11

• could no longer completely dictate - relied on others now
• terror reduced & generals like zhukov released from camps for war effort
• propaganda = appealed to russian nationalism to mobilise the public for war effort - S presented as a symbol of unity
• may have suffered a menty b when germans invaded 22nd june = retired to his country villa for days until coaxed into action by molotov

Question 12

when was high stalinism?

Answer 12

1945-53

Question 13

how did high stalinism show he still had lots of power?

Answer 13

• leadership moved quickly to reassert authority after war - terror used
• cult of personality = facade of power
• mingrelian affair 1951 = purge of the party in georgia including some of beria’s allies
• politburo increased from 10-36 & renamed ‘presidium’ - could bring in newcomers with no links to beria

Question 14

how did his power start decreasing as his health worsened?

Answer 14

• those around him became engaged in rivalry for power
• could no longer command his subordinates & could only maintain his position through terror
• difficulty in keeping on top of everything