Totalitarianism and Stalin's Control in the Soviet Union

Totalitarianism

government that dominates every aspect of life

Totalitarian leader

often dynamic, persuasive, absolute & more important than reason, freedom, human dignity, worth of the individual

Police Terror

Government uses police to spy on, intimidate people; terror & violence used in public, opposition crushed, fear is widespread

Indoctrination

Government shapes people's minds through slanted education; leader is glorified, unconditional loyalty demanded, starts very young

Propaganda & Censorship

Gov. controls all mass media, crushes opposing views; indoctrination reinforced through news, film, music, TV, radio; All info must be approved by the gov., unfavorable info blocked/censored

Religious or Ethnic Persecution

Leaders brand religious, ethnic minorities 'enemies of the state'; groups are blamed for state problems & targeted by specific laws

Police State

Stalin's Army-like police, the Cheka attack opponents w/ public force; 'secret' police actions include tap phone, read mail, seek informers

Great Purge

1934-1937 terror campaign against Stalin's perceived enemies, executions common

Gulag

Russian prison camp, usually in Siberia

Russian Propaganda and Censorship

Gov. controls newspapers, radio, movies; Artists censored, controlled; work harnessed to glorify the Party

Education & Indoctrination

Gov. controls all edu., from early grades to college; youth groups learn virtues of Communist Party & loyalty

Religious Persecution

official religion of communism = atheism; Gov. attacks Russian Orthodox Church; Magnificent churches, synagogues destroyed; religious leaders killed

Command economy

government makes all economic decisions

Five-Year Plans

Stalin's plans for developing the economy; large growth in industrial power; shortage of consumer goods

Collective farms

large, owned by state, violates Lenin's promise of land

Kulaks

wealthy peasants from Ukraine who resisted collective farms; many hide/destroy crops & livestock rather than hand it over to gov

Daily Life Under Stalin

People better educated, gain new skills; housing, health care, child care, edu. provided no cost but could be low quality

Women Gain Rights

Communists say women are = to men; women forced to join labor force; Many women receive advanced educations, become professionals

Powerful Ruler

By mid-1930s, Stalin has transformed Soviet Union into a totalitarian regime; Communist party makes up an elite social group

Stalin's Control

Stalin controls all aspects of Soviet life: unopposed as dictator, Communist Party leader; rules by terror instead of constitutional government; demands conformity, obedience