The Authoritarian State in the USSR: Stalin's Rise, Policies, and Control (1922-1953)

What were the circumstances that led to Stalin becoming the leader of the Soviet Union?

Stalin emerged victorious from the power struggle following Lenin's death in 1924.

What methods did Stalin use to establish and maintain his authoritarian state?

Stalin used ruthless purges, propaganda, and ideology to consolidate and maintain his power.

How did Stalin's regime impact political opposition?

Stalin destroyed political opposition through ferocious purges.

What economic policies did Stalin implement?

Stalin enforced policies of collectivization and industrialization to revolutionize the economy.

What was the duration of Stalin's regime?

Stalin's regime lasted from the late 1920s until his death in 1953.

What social conditions existed in Russia prior to the Bolshevik Revolution?

Russia was socially divided with a majority of peasants living in rural areas and poor industrial working conditions.

What significant event marked the end of Tsarist rule in Russia?

The February Revolution of 1917 marked the end of Tsarist rule.

What promises did the Bolsheviks make to gain support during WW1?

The Bolsheviks promised 'Peace, bread, and land' to gain support against the war.

What was the outcome of the Russian Civil War (1917-1922)?

The Reds (Bolsheviks) overcame the Whites, consolidating their control of the state.

What was War Communism?

War Communism was a series of harsh policies introduced by Lenin during the Civil War, including food rationing and nationalization of industries.

What policy replaced War Communism in 1921?

The New Economic Policy (NEP) replaced War Communism, allowing some private enterprise and profit-making.

What was the principle of 'Democratic Centralism' established by Lenin?

'Democratic Centralism' was the notion that true democracy in the Bolshevik Party lay in obedience to the leaders' authority.

How did Stalin position himself as Lenin's successor?

Stalin organized Lenin's funeral and presented himself as a committed Leninist, despite Lenin's critical testament about him.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk took Russia out of WW1 but at a massive cost, leading to further unrest.

What was the impact of WW1 on Russian society?

WW1 lowered morale, caused loss of life, and led to severe food shortages, contributing to the revolution.

What was the role of Trotsky during the Russian Civil War?

Trotsky was the leader of the Red Army and played a crucial role in the Bolshevik victory.

What was Stalin's policy of 'Socialism in One Country'?

Stalin's policy aimed to consolidate and modernize the Soviet Union rather than focus on international revolution.

What was the Kronstadt Rebellion?

The Kronstadt Rebellion was a revolt against the Bolshevik regime, sparked by discontent with War Communism.

What was the significance of the NEP in the Bolshevik Party?

The NEP caused divisions within the Bolshevik Party over economic policy after Lenin's death.

What was the impact of Lenin's death on the Soviet Union?

Lenin's death led to a power struggle within the Bolshevik Party, culminating in Stalin's rise to power.

What were the main features of the authoritarian state established by Lenin?

Lenin's authoritarian state included a one-party system under the Communist Party and the use of the Cheka to suppress opposition.

What was the Bolsheviks' strategy during the October Revolution?

The Bolsheviks capitalized on social divisions and discontent to seize power in October 1917.

What were the economic conditions in Russia leading up to the revolution?

Worker discontent and rising inflation during WW1 contributed to the revolution of 1917.

What was one method used to suppress dissent in the USSR?

Destruction of trade unions

What system was used for political purges and public trials in the USSR?

System of purges and show trials

How many concentration camps existed at the time of Lenin's death?

30,000 concentration camps

What economic policy involved the nationalization of private companies?

Nationalization

What was prohibited in the USSR that affected religious practices?

Public worship was prohibited; Orthodox churches were looted and closed.

What were the two major economic policies imposed in the USSR?

War Communism and the New Economic Policy (NEP)

What was the USSR's stance on international relations during the authoritarian state?

International isolation and a move away from the idea of international revolution

What characterized the political structure of the USSR under Lenin?

The one-party state where all parties except the Communist Party were outlawed.

What was the role of the Cheka in the USSR?

The Cheka was the first series of secret police organizations used to impose government control.

What was banned to suppress dissent within the Communist Party?

Factionalism and criticism of the party, including free speech.

Who rose to power after Lenin's death in 1924?

Joseph Stalin

What advantage did Stalin have in his rise to power?

He held several influential positions that allowed him to place supporters in key roles.

What position did Stalin hold that was crucial for his influence in the Communist Party?

General Secretary of the Communist Party

How did Stalin exploit Lenin's funeral to his advantage?

He delivered the oration, aligning himself with Lenin's legacy.

What was Lenin's Testament and how did it affect Stalin?

It contained criticisms of Stalin and recommendations for his removal, but it was suppressed.

What was the Red Terror and its impact on the USSR?

A campaign of political repression that resulted in an estimated 10,000 deaths.

What role did propaganda play in the establishment of the authoritarian state?

Pravda became the official newspaper of the CPSU, promoting state ideology.

What was the purpose of concentration camps under Stalin's regime?

To detain and punish those opposing the regime.

What was the significance of the Moscow Trial of the Socialist Revolutionaries in 1922?

It was part of the purges and show trials to eliminate opposition.

What was Stalin's approach to dealing with opposition within the Communist Party?

He isolated and removed his opponents while filling the party with his supporters.

What was the impact of Stalin's policies on the Communist Party's membership?

Membership grew from 340,000 in 1922 to 600,000 by 1925.

What was the role of persuasion and coercion in Stalin's rise to power?

Stalin used these tactics to consolidate power and eliminate rivals.

What does 'Pravda' mean?

Truth

When was Pravda first published?

1912

What was the primary purpose of Pravda?

To promote the party's achievements and ideology, report on the Russian Revolution, and glorify the Bolshevik Party.

Until when did Pravda exist?

It existed until 1991.

What was Agitprop?

A political strategy using agitation and propaganda to influence and mobilize public opinion.

How did the Bolsheviks use propaganda during the Civil War?

They created a cult of personality around Lenin and glorified the October Revolution.

What were the main economic policies introduced by Stalin?

Collectivization and Industrialization.

What was the purpose of the Five Year Plans?

To set targets for industrialization and increase production in various sectors.

What was the focus of the First Five Year Plan?

It aimed at boosting heavy industry from 1928 to 1933.

What were the results of the Second and Third Five Year Plans?

They succeeded in heavy industry but lacked in light engineering and faced issues like overproduction and under-production.

What was the impact of the Five Year Plans on workers?

While many workers were enthusiastic, they faced low wages, poor safety, and appalling working conditions.

Who was Aleksei Stakhanov?

A coal miner celebrated as an industrial hero for mining fifteen times the average amount of coal in one shift.

What was the effect of collectivization on peasants?

Many peasants were forced off the land and moved to cities, leading to dissatisfaction with industrial work.

What measures did the Communist Party take to address labor issues?

They introduced training programs, tough measures for absenteeism, and incentives for outstanding workers.

What was the impact of the Five Year Plans on society?

The industrial proletariat increased by 38% between 1926 and 1933, but conditions in towns worsened with overcrowding and crime.

What was the 1936 Constitution's significance?

It aimed to modernize the Soviet Union and introduced democratic participation, though freedoms were not realized.

What were the Grand Projects of Communism?

Large-scale industrial projects that often resulted in a lack of quality goods for export.

How did the German invasion in 1941 affect the Third Five Year Plan?

It destroyed the plan's progress and targets.

What was Magnitogorsk?

A city developed as a steel production center during Stalin's industrialization efforts.

What was the role of forced labor in Stalin's industrial projects?

Major projects were completed using forced labor, often under appalling conditions.

What was the significance of Article 125 in the 1936 Constitution?

It promised freedom of press and assembly, which ultimately did not materialize.

What was the 'quicksand society'?

A term describing the frequent job changes among workers due to poor conditions and low wages.

What were the consequences of unrealistic production expectations set by propaganda?

They led to pressure on workers and unrealistic standards that were difficult to meet.

What was the impact of the Five Year Plans on the economy?

They aimed to rapidly industrialize the Soviet Union but often resulted in inefficiencies and poor living conditions.

What did the government mean by 'a socialist offensive'?

A call to mobilize resources and workers for the ambitious goals of the Five Year Plans.

What was the primary focus of the Five Year Plans?

The emphasis was on heavy industry, leading to a shortage of consumer goods.

What were the consequences of rising prices and food shortages during Stalin's regime?

Poor living standards for the population.

What was the purpose of collectivization in the Soviet Union?

To support industrial development through increased agricultural productivity and to feed the growing urban population.

What were Kolkhoz?

Collective farms established in 1929 to replace individual peasant farms.

What was the process of collectivization characterized by?

Local officials, supported by police and soldiers, organized the setting up of collectives.

Who were the Kulaks and what happened to them during collectivization?

The Kulaks were identified as a class to be removed, leading to mass deportation and violence against them.

What were the consequences of collectivization for the peasantry?

Mass starvation in the 1930s and millions of deaths from famines in Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

What was the Ryutin Affair?

An early Stalinist purge where Ryutin opposed Stalin's policies and was later executed.

How did Stalin benefit from the murder of Sergei Kirov?

Kirov was a popular member of the CPSU who could have challenged Stalin, and his death allowed Stalin to intensify purges.

What were the public show trials used for during Stalin's purges?

They exposed 'saboteurs' and removed perceived threats to Stalin's authority.

What was the Great Terror and how was it structured?

It was broken down into three stages: the purge of the party, the purge of the armed services, and the purge of the people.

What was the Gulag?

A network of prison and labor camps established across the USSR, housing millions of prisoners.

What was the estimated number of prisoners in the Gulag by 1941?

Approximately 8 million prisoners.

How did Stalin exploit the Russian autocratic system?

He allowed local officials to increase their power through purges, often driven by self-interest.

What role did propaganda play in Stalin's regime?

It was used to promote the party's achievements, glorify Stalin, and suppress anti-Bolshevik ideas.

What was the 'Cult of Personality' surrounding Stalin?

A mass propaganda effort that portrayed Stalin as an ideal, heroic figure, elevating him above ordinary politics.

What was Socialist Realism?

A form of modern realism imposed by Stalin, characterized by optimistic depictions of Soviet life in a realist style.

Who proclaimed the doctrine of Socialist Realism?

Maxim Gorky at the Soviet Writers Congress of 1934.

What were the cultural policies under Stalin?

They included control over literature, theatre, film, painting, sculpting, music, and treatment of religion and minority groups.

What methods were used to deliver propaganda messages to the Soviet audience?

Posters, agitprop trains, and censorship in literature and the arts.

What was the impact of collectivization on the rural population?

It led to significant resistance, lifestyle threats, and devastating consequences like famine.

What was the significance of the October Revolution in Soviet propaganda?

It was glorified to promote the party's ideology and achievements.

What were the three guidelines established by the Soviet Union of Writers in 1934?

1. Acceptable to the Party theme and presentation, 2. Written in a style understandable to workers, 3. Contained characters recognizable as socialist role models or class enemies.

How did Stalin view writers in relation to society?

Stalin described writers as the 'engineers of the human soul.'

What literary style was promoted during Stalin's regime?

Socialist realism.

Name a famous work from the Stalin era.

How the Steel was Tempered by Nikolai Ostrovsky.

What happened to writers who opposed the regime during Stalin's rule?

They faced persecution, including Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, who wrote The Gulag Archipelago.

How was film production controlled under Stalin?

Films were produced under strict control, promoting industrialization during the Five Year Plans and censoring films during the purges.

What happened to notable director Vsevolod Meyerhold?

He opposed Socialist Realism and was arrested and executed in 1938.

What were the aims of paintings and sculptures during Stalin's regime?

To promote Socialist Realism and strengthen Stalin's authority, furthering his Cult of Personality.