Stalins USSR

Lenin’s Death

In 1924 marked the start of the struggle between Stalin, Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev, and Bukharin

Stalin’s Position in Government

As General Secretary, Stalin controlled party membership, giving him patronage power.

Lenin's testament 

Criticized Stalin as “too rude,” but it was suppressed by Zinoviev and Kamenev to protect themselves.

Triumvirate (1924–25)

Alliance between Stalin, Zinoviev, and Kamenev used to isolate Trotsky.

Trotsky’s Weakness

Arrogant, failed to build alliances, and underestimated Stalin’s political skill

• Trotsky refused to attend Lenin’s funeral (1924)

• Trotsky refused to build alliances inside the Party

  He would not work with Zinoviev, Kamenev, or Bukharin, believing he could succeed on his own.

Stalin’s Manipulation of Ideology

Used “Socialism in One Country” to appeal to national pride and contrast Trotsky’s “Permanent Revolution

Stalin: The USSR can build and strengthen socialism on its own, without waiting for revolutions in other countries. Stalin’s idea was popular because it sounded practical and patriotic

Trotsky: Socialism cannot survive in just one country — it requires continuous international revolutions, especially in advanced industrial nations

Control of Party Machinery

Stalin appointed loyalists and used his control of appointments to dominate party votes.

Defeat of Left Opposition (1926–27)

Trotsky, Zinoviev, and Kamenev expelled after criticizing party policy- They criticized Stalin’s policies especially NEP

Alliance with Bukharin (1926–28)

Stalin allied with Bukharin to defeat the Left, then turned on him after NEP disagreements.

Bukharin’s Downfall (1928–29)

Opposed rapid industrialization; branded a “Right Deviationist” and removed.

Stalin’s Rise by 1929

By exploiting divisions and using bureaucratic control, Stalin became unchallenged leader.

Collectivization Definition

Policy merging peasant farms into collective (kolkhoz) and state (sovkhoz) farms.

Aim of Collectivization

To increase grain production and fund industrialization through grain exports.

Economic Motive of Collectivization

Needed capital to finance industrial growth; collectivization was meant to improve efficiency

Political Motive

Destroy peasant independence and eliminate the kulaks as a class

Kulaks

Wealthier peasants blamed for hoarding grain;

• Stalin confiscated their land, livestock, and property

• Executing some who resisted

• Forcing the rest into collective farms

Resistance to Collectivization

Widespread peasant revolts and livestock slaughter reduced agricultural output.

• Their private property, including land and livestock, and were forced to work on state-run farms. This led to a loss of control over their livelihoods, a decline in their economic status, and resentment over a system that was imposed by force, often leading to violence and famine

Famine of 1932–33

Caused by forced grain requisitioning and resistance; millions died

First Five-Year Plan (1928–32)

Focused on heavy industry (coal, steel, iron); aimed to transform USSR into industrial power.

Stakhanovite Movement

Propaganda campaign glorifying workers who exceeded production quotas

Second Five-Year Plan (1933–37)

Balanced industrial expansion and some consumer goods; transport improved.

Third Five-Year Plan (1938–41)

Shifted focus to defense industries; disrupted by war.

Successes of FYPs

Rapid industrial growth; USSR became major industrial power by 1941.

Failures of FYPs

Poor quality goods, low living standards, and worker repression

Totalitarian Control

Stalin established one-party dictatorship controlling all aspects of life

The Party Apparatus

Centralized decision-making through the Politburo and NKVD

Cult of Personality

Stalin portrayed as infallible leader and “father of the nation.”

Propaganda Techniques

Mass rallies, posters, education, and the press promoted loyalty and fear.

Role of Education

Schools taught Stalinist ideology and rewrote history to praise Stalin

Constitution of 1936

Claimed to grant freedoms but reinforced Stalin’s power through one-party rule

Definition of the Purges

Series of campaigns to eliminate perceived enemies within Party, army, and society.

Kirov Affair (1934)

Stalin used the murder as a pretext to launch widespread purges:

He claimed there was a massive conspiracy against the state.

Thousands were arrested as “suspects.”

It became the starting point for the Great Terror (1936–38)

NKVD

Secret police under Yezhov and Beria carried out arrests, torture, and executions.

Show Trials

Public confessions extracted under torture to justify purges.

Show trials created the illusion of genuine guilt, making the mass arrests, executions, and purges seem like legitimate security measures rather than political repression.

The Great Terror (1936–3

Widespread arrests; millions executed or sent to Gulags

Purges of the Red Army

Half of officers executed or imprisoned, weakening military before WWII

• The military had:

  • independence from the Party

  • highly respected leaders

  • a history of being close to Trotsky

  So Stalin believed they could become a political threat

Purpose of Purges

To consolidate Stalin’s power and eliminate potential opposition

Social Impact of Purges

Created climate of fear and obedience

Economic Impact of Purges

Disrupted industry and administration due to loss of skilled workers

Operation Barbarossa (1941)

German invasion of USSR; initial Soviet losses massive.

Stalin’s Wartime Leadership

Centralized command, propaganda invoking nationalism and “Mother Russia.”

Political Impact of War

Reinforced Stalin’s authority and cult of personality

Economic Impact of War

Massive destruction; industry relocated east; war economy prioritized armaments

Social Impact of War

27 million Soviet deaths(mostly civilian); women entered workforce; harsh discipline