This document is a draft of my modern world history essay on how Stalin achieved totalitarian control in the Soviet Union. It begins by discussing the rise of Joseph Stalin to power after Lenin's death, highlighting how he consolidated control within the Communist Party. The essay explores the key ...
Q. To what extent did Stalinism achieve totalitarian control?
Stalin was the leader of Russia after Lenin’s death from 1929-1953. He was a significant figure in Russia
and was able to enforce Communism through a one-party state. Stalin also managed to defeat
Hitler during World War two and established totalitarian control. Totalitarianism simply means
Stalin was able to gain control over all aspects of life within Russia. This essay will explore
whether Stalin achieved totalitarianism control by looking at several factors such as political repression,
economic policies and propaganda which helped him develop a cult of personality in his leadership.
Stalin entered the party after the October Revolution 1917. He was able to gain power in the party by
removing political rivals and centralising the Politburo to create a personal leadership. His ability to
cause conflict with party members allowed him to gain support from his policies and helped him
establish power after Lenin. Stalin was able to achieve huge dominance over population as well as the
party through show trails and purges to show his terror and distil fear amongst the population. He also
established a cult of personality and was able to use the propaganda and education to indoctrinate
ideas about Marxism which would help give support to his leadership and prevent unrest. There are
many historians who offer different perspectives over Stalin and if he achieved totalitarianism control
such as traditional historians like S. J Lee who highlight Stalin terror and fear amongst the population
and Hoffman who shows alternative and revisionist viewpoints. In contrast, historians like
Brandenberger shows the cultural side of totalitarianism which are more peaceful methods to achieve
totalitarianism control. By examining different historians, it will help see the impact of totalitarianism
on society on a broader scale.
One way that Stalin was able to achieve totalitarian control was through political repression and control
which was crucial for him to consolidate power. While some historians believe that terror was the way
Stalin was able to get rid of his rivals. Other historians suggests that propaganda helped maintain
control over population as well as economic policies that also played a part. According to Golfo
Alexopoulos Stalin’s terror increased during the 1930s. The Great Terror which helped him gain his
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