Study Notes on Stalin's Russia (1924 - 1953)

Stalin’s Rise to Power: The Struggle is Real (1924 – 1929)

  • How did Stalin become the leader of the USSR?

    • Changed Policies to Win Support:

      • Stalin was an intelligent political strategist who gauged public sentiment.

      • His decisions were made to align with popular opinion.

    • Stalin’s Personality:

      • Described as ruthless, determined, cunning, treacherous, and manipulative.

    • Political Alliances in the Politburo:

      • Stalin isolated rivals through strategic alliances.

      • He convinced others that he was a better leader than Leon Trotsky (chosen by Lenin).

      • Rivals underestimated him as they were more focused on other potential threats.

    • Use of Position for Popular Support:

      • As the General Secretary, Stalin controlled appointments.

      • This allowed him to place supporters in key positions while sidelining rivals.

    • Propaganda Against Rivals:

      • Stalin utilized writings and speeches to discredit rivals and promote himself as Lenin’s chosen successor.

Stalin’s Character and Early Career

  • Ruthless Determination:

    • Demonstrated commitment to the Bolshevik Party through actions like bank robberies to finance the party.

    • Endured imprisonment and torture for “Marxist activities.”

  • Devotion to Bolshevik Ideals:

    • Believed Marxism offered genuine hope for freedom and equality, contrasting it with Christianity, Tsarism, and Capitalism.

  • Rise in the Bolshevik Party:

    • Initially seemed unimportant but climbed the ranks to become a high official.

    • Mastered manipulation for personal gain.

Comrade Stalin as “Revolutionary”

  • Background:

    • Started as a low-level Marxist; assisted Bolsheviks through thuggery (e.g., bank robberies, murders).

    • Appointed as the Bolshevik commissar of nationalities post-revolution.

    • Manipulated history to present himself as Lenin’s chosen successor.

Stalin’s Aims (1928 – 1953): What Did He Want to Achieve?

  • Primary Objectives:

    • Modernization of Soviet society and economy.

    • Development of a prosperous society to prepare for conflicts, particularly with the West.

    • National security for the USSR through “Socialism in One Country.”

    • Preservation of his leadership position at all costs.

Stalin Comes to Power

  • Positioning as Party Secretary:

    • Secured his role by appointing loyal supporters within the Politburo.

    • Achieved full power by 1929 after eliminating rivals.

    • Claimed Lenin wanted him as successor; major points in Lenin’s Testament were suppressed.

Stalin’s Main Policies (1928 – 1953)

  • Key Policies Include:

    • Collectivization of Agriculture:

    • Small farms were collectivized to enhance agricultural production.

    • Many lacked necessary tools, but combined productivity was heightened.

    • State provided equipment (plows, tractors, etc.) to aid collectives.

    • Goal: Support workers in factories during industrialization.

    • Encountered resistance, particularly from Kulaks (wealthy peasants).

    • Kulaks faced “liquidation” or de-kulakization, leading to their slaughter.

    • The Five-Year Plans:

    • Aimed to modernize the USSR and match industrial powers.

    • Managed by GOSPLAN under Stalin’s direction with three Five-Year Plans from 1928-1942.

      • 1st Plan (1928 – 1932): Focus on coal, iron, steel, oil, hydroelectric power, and farming.

      • 2nd Plan (1933 – 1937): Include manufacturing consumer goods.

      • 3rd Plan (1938 – 1942): Continued previous aims but prioritized rearmament due to Nazi threat.

    • Additional Plans (1945 – 1955) followed World War II to rebuild.

The Great Stakhanov

  • Alexi Stakhanov:

    • Celebrated miner known for extraordinary production (102 tonnes of coal in 6 hours).

    • Sparked the Stakhanovite movement encouraging worker productivity.

    • Became an engineered hero to motivate others; resulted in resentment and, at times, violence from peers.

Effects of the Cultural Revolution (1928 onwards)

  • Peasantry:

    • Experienced increased state control and famine post-NEP & Collectivization.

    • Terror used as a control method; viewed as less important than industrial workers.

  • Industrial Working Class:

    • Expanded due to Five-Year Plans, with worker achievements celebrated.

    • The idealization of the "New Soviet Man" as a model citizen committed to work.

    • Living standards improved but remained lower than in other industrialized nations.

  • Women and Families:

    • Early encouragement for women to work; traditional roles promoted from 1934 amidst concerns of social instability.

    • Women were pressured to fulfill maternal roles necessary for workforce replenishment.

    • About 800,000 women served on the front lines during WWII, but equality never fully realized.

  • Young People and Education:

    • Children educated in state orphanages to promote loyalty to the Communist Party.

    • Revisions of curriculum emphasized respect for authority over individualism.

    • Compulsory education implemented with increased literacy (51% to 88%) and attendance rising to 35 million by 1940.

  • Cult of Personality:

    • Stalin benefited significantly as his image and authority were elevated through cultural revolution efforts.

Socialist Realism – Control of Media

  • Media Regulation:

    • Artistic and media productions required to reflect state goals and promote communist principles.

    • Deviations met with severe punishment.

Purges (1934 – 1938)

  • Definition and Overview:

    • Referred to as "Stalin's Terror" or "The Great Purge."

    • Involved purges across the Communist Party, Red Army, and broader society.

    • Millions perished in labor camps or via execution.

    • Targeted dissidents and ultimately members of his own party, reinforcing fear.

    • Show trials conducted to justify purges; the state sought to rid the USSR of "filth."

  • Outcomes of the Purges:

    • Consolidated Stalin's power and expanded the Gulag labor system.

    • Important Bolshevik leaders were eliminated, replaced with loyal subordinates.

The Gulag

  • Function and Locations:

    • Labor camps utilized for dissenters or merely accused individuals.

    • Located primarily in Siberia, contributing to enormous industrial projects through forced labor (e.g., Moscow's Metro).

Stalin's Last Years

  • Persistence of Paranoia:

    • Continued purging party members to address perceived threats.

    • Notable incidents included “The Leningrad Affair” and the “Jewish Doctor's Plot.”

    • Refused medical treatment during illness leading to death from a brain hemorrhage at age 74.

Stalin's Legacy Today

  • Human Toll:

    • Profound impact on Soviet citizens, leading to terror and suffering.

    • Established the Communist Party’s firm grip on power amid Cold War tensions, complicating potential reforms.

    • Achievements include transforming the USSR into a military superpower; opinions of Stalin are polarized between views of him as a monster and a respected leader.

    • Questions arise about the difference between respect and fear.