The Development of The Starlin Cult

Question 1

How was Stalin presented in the Stalin cult?

Answer 1

• All knowing, universal genius and the sure consolidated leader of Russia.
• Appeals to everyday Russian people + successor for socialism and thus the saviour of the country
• Was a Bolshevik w a simple life + no extravagance s a true socialist

Inspired confidence during a period of rapid change, cult portrayed him as perfect for Russia + Lenin’s rightful heir.

Very much exaggerated + falsification of competency - idea of his rivals being insignificant also key.

Question 2

What was the Stalinist Cult?

Answer 2

• From December 1929 after his 50th birthday celebrations the cult grew conspicuously, but was Fully established in the years 1933-1939

‘The History of the All-Union Communist Party or ‘The Short Course’ was published as the main historical textbook for all educational institutions in 1938 + Stalin assumed a major role in the Oct/Nov revolution + Civil War while Trotsky + other Bolsheviks were portrayed as ‘enemies of the people’ This was a complete falsification of history historical events in Russia but The book sold 34 million copies in the Soviet Union by 1948

Paintings + sculptures were produced to glorify him as this ‘mighty leader’

Starlin was presented as the father to his people, peasants and workers created there own ‘red corner’ of the great leaders in there homes in the same way they might have created a saints or religious corner.

Question 3

What were Literature, Arts + Socialist Realism like during the 1930s?

Answer 3

Stalin viewed cultural pursuits n the same way he viewed propaganda. Literature, art, architecture, the theatre, film + music were all considered valuable and legitimate if they supported socialist ideology ‘ art for arts sake’ had no place in society.

• From 1932 all writers(newspapers, magazines, plays or novels) all had to belong to the Union of Artists which exerted control over what was created + who was allowed to create it.
• Individual expression was deemed politically suspect + the new norms demanded doctrine of socialist realism according to the writers’ meaning any writers were not expected to represent soviet life as it was in reality at the time but instead show what it may become foreshowing the future.

Question 4

How did Stalin use Propaganda throughout the 1930s?

Answer 4

• Stalin relied heavily on propaganda as a machine to harness support for his policies
• Military illusions were sometimes used
• People, in pictures always appeared happy, productive as f this was there response to Starlin’s policies - which was certainly not the case.
• Hardships associated with economic challenge were romanticised. The ‘work hero’ + Stakhnovites became the protagonist theme in idealist art + sculpture.

Question 5

Was there opposition toward the Stalinist Cult + Starlings policies?

Answer 5

Despite the states control over the media, there is evidence of people rejecting or questioning its message

• Despite huge propaganda campaign which accomplished collectivisation, many peasants resisted the policies by slaughtering there livestock and when forced collectives were relaxed in 1930 households dropped from 50 - 20%
• Communist party archives contain examples of letters from workers expressing their anger at the lack of adequate housing + no goods to buy, corruption among there managers at work
• Evidence Stakhnovites in fact annoyed fellow workers rather than inspire because targets were subsequently increased due to there efforts
• Jokes, graffiti + popular songs criticised the 5 year plans