Stalin's Soviet Union Flashcards
Bolsheviks
Members of the Russian Social-Democratic Workers’ Party, which, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized control of the government in Russia in the October Revolution of 1917 and became the dominant political power. Consisted primarily of workers who advocated immediate and forceful seizure of power by the working class.
October Revolution
A revolution led by the Bolshevik Party (Lenin) to topple the interim government in Russia.
Provisional Government
A temporary ruling body that serves until properly replaced. In context of Soviet Russia, the PG took political control upon end of Tsarist Rule. However, it was often associated with the monarchists and people sympathetic with the re-establishment of Tsarist rule. Many benefited from Tsarist rule as well, hence unwilling to make radical changes to transform society. The PG was overthrown on 25 October 1917.
Pravda
Communist newspaper, literally translated as ‘the truth’ (ironically). Used by Stalin to gain trust of public through heavy censorship and propaganda materials.
NEP (New economic policy)
Policy implemented by Lenin to rejuvenate Russian economy. Allowed peasants to keep their produce and sell them for profit; encouraged microcosm of ‘capitalism’ and resulted in creation of ‘nepmen’ (rich businessmen). kulaks (rich peasants/farmers) are often associated with the term ‘nepmen’ too.
One-party state
A law passed by Hitler in July 1933 made the Nazi Party the only legal political party in Germany
Centralisation
Process by which the activities of an organisation, particularly those regarding planning and decision-making, framing strategy and policies become concentrated within a particular geographical location group. In the context of a country, typically the state.
Bureaucratisation
The process of dividing the governance into a number of different departments across different levels in a state. In context of Soviet Russia, it made the system of governance more efficient but often also used to enact Communist ideologies/policies.
Lenin’s testament
A document written by Lenin in which he called for changes in the structure of the government of the Soviet Union. Within the testament, he outrightly criticised all the principal party leaders, especially Stalin. This document was not made known to the public and this act is often thought of as a key reason for Stalin’s rise.
Radicals
Those who came up with new ideas and challenged the system. This typically varies depending on what the status quo is i.e. what is deemed as a ‘conservative’.
Conversatives
Those who followed the existing system closely; avoid extreme views that will lead to major social change.
Typically, their focus is in the preservation of status quo.
New Soviet man (Stakhanov)
The ideal Soviet citizen who was willing to serve the Soviet Union selflessly; strived to exceed production targets set in place. Often used as part of propaganda to encourage productivity. (names after Alexey Stakhanov)
The Great Famine
The Soviet famine of 1932/33 was the consequence of forced collectivisation which resulted in kulaks burning/burying their crops and grains, as well as killed their animals/livestock to prevent them from being taken over by the state. Alongside bad droughts, this led to a drastic decline in harvest, resulting in the death of millions due to famine.
Collectivisation
Merging of small individual farms of Soviet Russia into larger collective farms (kolkhoz). More efficient farming through mechanisation such as the use of tractors and pooling of resources; sometimes manpower as well.
Kolkhozy (kolkhoz)
A large farm which is the result of the merging of several farms, and run as a single unit. It may be forced or voluntary.
Industrialisation
Industrialisation is the period of social and economic change that transforms a human group from an agrarian society into an industrial society.
Stalin’s Five-year plan
Set high and ambitious targets to increase production rates, particularly in the heavy industries and later in armaments.
1st Five-year plan: focus on expanding heavy industry, transport and power supply (1928-1932)
2nd Five-year plan: focus on producing manufactured goods, such as machinery for Kolkhozy (1933-1938) [limited success in manufactured goods; steal led to low quality of life in masses]
3rd Five-year plan: produce “luxuries” such as bicycles and radios, got disrupted by WW2; shift towards manufacturing armaments
Cheka/NKVD
Secret police of Soviet Russia; established to radicate counter revolutionary activity
Propaganda
Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view. In context of Soviet Russia, a tool instrumental in curbing political dissent and brainwashing minds of masses. This relates to books, articles published in the Pravda and even removal of political opponents from photos (e.g. removed Trotsky in a picture showing Lenin giving a speech)
Purge
To cleanse and remove individuals who posed a threat to someone’s political power and authority. Stalin executed them, sent them to forced labour camps (gulags) or to exile in for e.g Siberia
Show trials
The public trial of a political offender, where there was no proper legal process, but relies on accusations and verdict
Gulags
Concentration camp for people who oppose or are suspected for opposing Stalin and/or communist rule.
The Great Terror
State-sanctioned repression of political opponents of the state. Targets include wealthy peasants (kulaks); genocidal acts against ethnic minorities; a purge of the Communist Party, government officials, and the Red Army leadership; widespread police surveillance; suspicion of saboteurs; counter-revolutionaries; imprisonment; and arbitrary executions.
Kulak
A wealthy or prosperous peasant, generally characterized as one who owned a relatively large farm and several head of cattle and horses and who was financially capable of employing hired labour and leasing land. Many were persecuted due to their strong resistance against collectivisation.
What were some concerns with urbanisation? (movement to cities from countyside?)
Long working hours, ambitious productivity goals, employees not paid fairly and had to bear with harsh workng environments, shortage of housing, rushed housing resulting in poor amenities such as lack of electricity; sometimes lack of sanitation or running water
What were some goals for collectivisation?
Ensure secure food supply for factory workers; Free up manpower for industrial work; Export crops to other countries to raise funds for industrialisation
1931-1932 Cultural Revolution
Early action by Stalin and party to remove intellectuals, privileged class and religious leaders from positions of authority
Literacy rates under Stalin’s rule
94% of men and 65% of women were literate, school was compulsory and 9 years of free education (though propaganda-infused); mostly technical subjects taught to meet industrialisation goals
Komsomol
Communist Union of Youth; indoctrination from young to be loyal to Stalin, took on mostly outdoor education curriculum and groomed them for prominent party members in future
Show Trials
A show trial is a public trial in which the judicial authorities have already determined the guilt, and/or innocence, of the defendant. Often carried out as part of the Great Terror to deter others from defiance and treason. (some e.g. of victims are Kamenev, Zinoviev and Bukharin)
Nikolai Yezhov
He was put in-charge of the secret police to carry out purges. Due to alarming rise in authority, he was arrested in 1938 and executed in 1940.