Russia 3 Essay Plans

Was state propaganda the main reason for the Soviet regime's control over its people in the years 1917-53?

AS 2016 Q1

State propaganda

Cults of personality

Control of media, arts, culture

Terror against 'anti-Soviet elements'

Created a climate of fear

Persecution of religion

WWII

Overall - even though terror was the main reason for control over Party, control over the Soviet people is best explained by state propaganda

It meant Stalin's power was not entirely reliant on the secret police

To what extent did government policy towards arts and culture change in the years 1917-64?

How far was government control over the lives of the people maintained in the years 1953-85?

How significant was the role of the secret police in maintaining communist control in the years 1917-85?

Lenin

Secret police was moderately significant

Red Army was even more important

Stalin

Secret police was very significant

Cult of personality came second

Khrushchev

Secret police was less significant - its role was minimised as part of de-Stalinisation

Popular oversight

Brezhnev and Andropov

Secret police - substantial significance in dealing with dissidents and discontent

Social contract was less significant - in many ways it didn't work

How far was government control over Soviet culture maintained in the years 1953-85?

AS 2017 Q3