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Summary OCR A Level History - Russia - Stalin. ISBN: 9781510415904
Condensed notes of Stalin's rise and consolidation of power.
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The Rule of StalinStalin’s Character
-It was claimed Stalin had ‘gross personality disorder’.
-Was highly paranoid.
-He was a competent administrator, manager and planner.
-General Secretary in 1922, showed that he could manipulate situations to serve his
wants.
-Stalin as an administrator: 1912, was elected to the Central Committee of the
Bolsheviks and was a good administrator/debater. He was also responsible for raising
funds for the party (pre-1917) and often did this illegally e.g. train robberies. He was
sent to prison/exile multiple times.
-Stalin as a manager: Stalin was given more responsibilities after showing his skills in the
Central Committee. 1917-1922, he was the Bolshevik specialist manager of national
minorities’ issues. He held the most senior of all management posts.
-Stalin as a planner: wanted economic and social change (used target-setting). E.g. 1928
1st 5 year plan and collectivisaiton. 1939-1941, managing Russia’s resources in case of a
possible Nazi invasion.
Power struggle and opposition before and after Lenin’s death…
(there were disagreements under Lenin within the Bolshevik Party - which later turned
into rivalries.)
- After the overthrow of the PG in 1917, prominent Bolsheviks (e.g. Kamenev,
Zinoviev, Rykov) called for a coalition with other socialist groups. Lenin bullied
Bolshevik colleagues into not taking/accepting an alliance with opposing political
groups.
- Brest Litovisk was opposed by the Left, mainly Trotsky. Lenin argued that the
territory lost after WW1 would be reversed, but many didn’t believe this.
- 1927: controlled Party Congress which allowed him to expel his main rivals from the
party.
It- Greatly shown through the Great Terror and the 1936-38 show trials.
-1922 Lenin’s testament criticises many Bolshevik members.
-Despite the 1921 ‘Georgian Affair’, Stalin had worked his way up the ranks.
-Boychiks (after Lenin’s death) disagreed over these key issues: whether the NEP should
continue, more democracy within government, and the Left wanted Trotsky’s
permanent revolution, whilst the Right wanted Socialism in One Country.
-Stalin’s split with Zinoviev and Kamenev = they became more concerned with Stalin’s
plan for dealing with peasants and foreign policy - they verbally attacked him but with
, little success. Both were removed as local secretaries of the party and the Politburo was
reinforced with Stalinists.
-The United Opposition group = was formed by Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinoviev.
Opposed NEP and wanted more ‘free speech’. They were all removed from the
Politburo. Trotsky continued to cause disruption and provoke trouble, causing his
dismissal from the USSR altogether in 1929.
-Proposals for Collectivisation = renewed grain opposition (right disagreed - seen as War
Communism) and Kamenev was seen as a factionist.
Stalin caused his rise to power…
- Suppression of Lenin’s Testament.
- Took advantage of Trotsky’s absence at Lenin’s funeral.
- His role as General secretary allowed him to use patronage and put his
supporters in top positions.
- Used Lenin’s Enrolment to use those who joined, loyal to Stalin.
- Took advantage of the attack on factionalism which condemned party divisions -
made it hard to criticise decisions.
But, the weakness of the opposition should also be taken into account…
- Trotsky didn’t attend the funeral.
- Trotsky failed to take important jobs when offered - declined as Chairman of the
Soviet Party.
Propaganda
Posters/slogans = inspire people to work hard and make sacrifices for the good of all.
Newspapers = pravada was mainly a propaganda tool. Promoted the achievements of
FYP.
Groups = special youth groups were established e.g. Pioneers to protect the young from
‘bourgeois culture. The komistol was encouraged to inform those who criticised the
leaders.
The Arts = are manipulated to favour traditional values, community and state power.
The Stakhanovite movement = propaganda used in the workplace to increase
productivity. This movement was caused when a miner (Stakanovite) produced 100
tonnes of coal in a 5hr shift = 14x his required quota. He was thus used as the model for
propaganda to motivate others.
Censorship - Socialist realism = 1932, all literacy groups were shut down. Any work
had to be approved by the party. Those who didn’t fit in with the USSR’s wishes, were
either exiled, in labour camps or executed.
Censorship - New Soviet Man = more censorship after WW2. radio broadcasts were
distorted, the news was fictionalised etc… writers must glorify Russia.
- Stalin had high support for his policies due to this. But, were people genuinely
persuaded, or conforming due to fear?
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