Stalin took over the Communist dictatorship upon the death of Vladimir Lenin in 1922. Stalin ruled the USSR as a Communist dictatorship until his death in 1953.
System of Government/Beliefs
What is Communism?
• Revolutionary idea of a political, economic and social system that creates a “classless society”
• State ownership and control of the means of production (no private ownership)
• Soviet Communism or “Stalinism”, was more of a totalitarian and military state combined with elements of communism
What is Communism?
• Revolutionary idea of a political, economic and social system that creates a “classless society”
• State ownership and control of the means of production (no private ownership)
• Soviet Communism or “Stalinism”, was more of a totalitarian and military state combined with elements of communism
Specific Events/Tactics Used
Stalin was a member of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union. Vladimir Lenin was on the brink of death and there was a power struggle between Stalin and Leon Trotsky. Lenin actually didn't like Stalin, he thought he was power-hungry. Stalin and his allies ultimately took over and exiled Trotsky. Stalin ordered that Trotsky be assassinated in 1940. Stalin consolidated his power through "purges". Basically, Stalin rounded up anyone who he perceived as an enemy or opponent. These individuals were then sentenced them to imprisonment, gulags (like work/concentration camps, or execution. Some estimates say that Stalin killed upwards of 20 million people.
The USSR was a very poor and backward country when Stalin took over. He promised to modernize the Soviet Union and make it a world power.
Stalin was a member of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union. Vladimir Lenin was on the brink of death and there was a power struggle between Stalin and Leon Trotsky. Lenin actually didn't like Stalin, he thought he was power-hungry. Stalin and his allies ultimately took over and exiled Trotsky. Stalin ordered that Trotsky be assassinated in 1940. Stalin consolidated his power through "purges". Basically, Stalin rounded up anyone who he perceived as an enemy or opponent. These individuals were then sentenced them to imprisonment, gulags (like work/concentration camps, or execution. Some estimates say that Stalin killed upwards of 20 million people.
The USSR was a very poor and backward country when Stalin took over. He promised to modernize the Soviet Union and make it a world power.
- Stalin used all of the tactics listed below to rise to power and maintain it once he was dictator
- Violence
- Use of secret police and the military (KGB is secret police
•Eliminate opponents
•Propaganda
•Speeches
•Mass rallies/parades
•Scapegoat (blame others)
•Censorship (limit information)
Outcome
Stalin did help modernize and industrialize Soviet industry, but his reign came at a high price. He initially signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler. This pact said that the two nations would not fight each other and would agree to take over and split Poland. Initially the non-aggression pact kept the USSR out of the war; however, Hitler broke the pact and attacked the USSR in 1942. The USSR suffered greatly during WWII. Some estimates say that 25% of the Soviet population died during WWII. Stalin continued to rule with an iron fist after WWII. He acquired new territory in Eastern Europe and continued his violent, oppressive rule.
Stalin did help modernize and industrialize Soviet industry, but his reign came at a high price. He initially signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler. This pact said that the two nations would not fight each other and would agree to take over and split Poland. Initially the non-aggression pact kept the USSR out of the war; however, Hitler broke the pact and attacked the USSR in 1942. The USSR suffered greatly during WWII. Some estimates say that 25% of the Soviet population died during WWII. Stalin continued to rule with an iron fist after WWII. He acquired new territory in Eastern Europe and continued his violent, oppressive rule.