Stalin's Rise to Power

Stalin's Rise to Power

• Trotsky believed communism needed worldwide expansion to survive
• He wanted to help the working class in other countries start revolutions
• Stalin wanted to strengthen communism within Russia first
• He wanted to create a model communist state before exporting communism elsewhere
• The New Economic Policy (NEP) had some success in economic recovery, though it was criticized for allowing private business and creating wealth disparity
• Some wanted to end the NEP for rapid industrialization, while others wanted to maintain it for stability
• Stalin did not take a clear position, which allowed flexibility in alliances
• Trotsky and other rivals lost influence due to divisions

Trotsky vs Stalin

• Trotsky was seen as an arrogant intellectual and publicly criticized Stalin
• Stalin was more diplomatic and tactful
• He used propaganda to appear as Lenin's natural successor, publishing photos with Lenin
• Stalin manipulated events, such as misleading Trotsky about Lenin's funeral timing
• Source 1 (The Guardian, 1924) had an emotional, dramatic tone, depicting Lenin as a revered figure
• Mass mourning highlighted Lenin's immense impact, including respect from former enemies
• Stalin capitalized on this grief, presenting himself as Lenin's natural successor
• Source 2 (Lenin's Testament, 1922) warned against Stalin's power, calling him intolerant, disloyal, and reckless
• Lenin suggested Stalin should be removed, contradicting Stalin's claims of being Lenin's rightful heir
• Stalin suppressed Lenin's testament to ensure it didn't weaken his rise to power
• Trotsky underestimated Stalin and failed to secure support
• Trotsky's arrogance alienated party members
• Stalin took advantage of divisions within the Communist Party
• Stalin was politically strategic and built alliances
• He was humble and diplomatic in appearance
• Stalin controlled party positions and information flow
• He used propaganda to associate himself with Lenin

Understanding The Purges

• Lenin concentrated power in his own hands, similarly to a Tsar, despite different ideological goals
• Lenin led through a small elite group, and his rule was authoritarian
• Unrest was growing in Russia by the end of the First Five-Year Plan
• Some Bolsheviks wanted Trotsky back, creating opposition to Stalin
• Stalin used Sergei Kirov's assassination in 1934 as an excuse to eliminate political threats
• Kirov's death led to the Great Purges, targeting politicians, military members, and civilians
• Stalin used purges to remove rivals, consolidate power, ensure party loyalty, and eliminate dissent

Orlov's Account

• The assassination of Sergei Kirov were orchestrated by Stalin, who blamed opposition leaders to justify mass purges
• Stalin believed eliminating Kirov, Zinoviev, and Kamenev would strengthen his grip on power
• This led to the execution of political opponents, justified by avenging Kirov’s death
• Kirov was popular and seen as a possible rival to Stalin
• His assassination gave Stalin an excuse to start purging enemies
• The idea that opposition members killed Kirov could have been a fabrication to justify Stalin's crackdown
• Stalin's consolidation of power suggests he may have orchestrated or at least used it for his benefit
• Orlov was an NKVD officer who defected to the U.S., which implies his account may be biased
• His information could have been exaggerated or influenced by anti-Stalin propaganda
• There was a lack of direct evidence, with much based on interpretation rather than solid proof
• Orlov's claims align with what is known about Stalin's methods, but may not be entirely reliable

Phases of the Purges (1932-1938)

• The Chistka (1932-1935) involved the non-violent removal of party members, focused on eliminating undesirables rather than ideological enemies
• The Show Trials involved the trial and execution of high-profile Bolsheviks
• They were used as political propaganda to create fear and loyalty
• During The Yezhovshchina (1937-1938), mass arrests, executions, and imprisonments occurred under Nikolai Yezhov
• Over 250,000 people labeled “Anti-Soviet Elements,” including scientists, artists, and intellectuals
• The NKVD executed hundreds of thousands, possibly millions
• The left-wing opposition, was accused of being enemies, alongside party officials accused of working with foreign governments.
• High-ranking Red Army officers were arrested or executed
• Right-wing opposition (1938), mainly supporters of NEP, were accused of plotting against the state
• Stalin eliminated his own NKVD enforcers to prevent threats, and old enemies like Kulaks and Nepmen were removed as class enemies

Toll of purges

• NKVD records show 1,548,366 arrested and 681,692 executed
• Historians believe the real number could be 2-3 times higher
• Stalin’s purges were on an unprecedented scale, with hundreds of thousands executed, which is far more than the Tsars
• Unlike the Tsars, Stalin targeted military leaders, intellectuals, and even loyal Communists, not just political enemies
• Show trials and forced confessions made terror systematic and widespread

Stalin's Motivation for Purges

• Stalin eliminated rivals like Trotsky’s supporters, Zinoviev, and Kamenev
• Trotsky was sent to kazakhstan and loyal officials appointed
• Fear was instilled through the NKVD, show trials, and forced confessions
• Surveillance, propaganda, and manipulation were used to remove threats
• Forced policies were used to Industrialize and modernize the USSR
• Agricultural policies were forcefully instilled, after WW1 defeat, and industrialization was needed to stand chance against Germany
• A cartoon satirized Stalin’s paranoia, showcasing that he executed so many people it seemed like he might end up killing himself
• Purges were highlighted as absurd and paranoia-driven, reinforcing the idea they were uncontrollable and irrational

Propaganda, Terror, and Control

• Stalin was depicted as a heroic and infallible leader central to the USSR via a cult of personality
• Images Everywhere: Statues, posters, and photographs depicted Stalin as a strong, fatherly figure.
• More than 16 cities were named after him, along with education and indoctrination, with mothers teaching their children that Stalin was the "wisest man of the age."
• Historical Manipulation: Photos were edited to remove purged figures like Trotsky.
• WWII success strengthened cult as Stalin was seen as the reason for victory, increasing his god-like image

Terror and Control Under Stalinism

• Millions were sent to Gulags, labor camps overseen by the secret police (NKVD), where many died
• The Great Purge: Mass arrests targeted rivals and perceived enemies
• Waves of Terror: People were afraid of being informed on by neighbors
• Show Trials: Public trials of so-called "traitors" enforced obedience.
• Rivals Kirov and Trotsky were murdered and disloyal members expelled, imprisoned, or executed.
• 81 of 103 top generals and admirals were executed in military purges
• Russian customs and language were promoted exclusively, and religious groups were persecuted via Fear and Russification
• The state limited rights, like jobs, housing, and education, to those loyal to Stalin.
• Strict Censorship: Books, films, and art could only reflect Stalinist ideals which the state-controlled media promoted for the working class
• Gulag expansion was used to silence opposition, as estimated 2 million died from 1930-1950.
• A summary of S1: V.T. Shalamov – Life in a Gulag describes the brutal conditions in Stalin’s labor camps, depicting prisoners who were starved and emotionally broken
• S2: Nadezhda Khazina – Living Through the Terror details mass arrests during the Great Purge, and describes constant fear as well as the psychological impact of Stalin’s purges.
• S3: Anonymous Woman – Stalin’s Purges explains how children taught to stay silent, and everyone suspected their neighbors
• Stalin used Lenin's image to legitimize his rule and create the illusion that he was Lenin's chosen successor, reinforcing his authority by linking himself to communist ideals

Sources from after the Purges

• Accounts written years later may lead to memory distortions or be influenced by later anti-Stalinist perspectives
• The sources are based on the testimonies of people who lived through the terror, corroborating with historical records and other testimonies
• Psychological and physical suffering described aligns with known Stalinist policies

Stalin's Five-Year Plans

• The plans can be categorized into economic, political, ideological, and personal motivations
• The New Economic Policy (NEP) helped recover from the Civil War, but Stalin saw it as inadequate for modernization
• Heavy industry and infrastructure were essential for economic progress
• Industrialization was crucial for national security, allowing the Soviet Union to defend itself against Western powers
• A controlled economy would allow better planning and efficiency compared to the semi-capitalist NEP
• A command economy gave the government complete control over production and distribution
• Rapid industrial growth would establish the USSR as a global superpower
• Those who resisted industrialization or favored slower reforms (e.g., Trotskyists) were discredited
• They eliminated private business and enforced collectivization, aligning with Marxist ideology
• Used class struggle as justification to push for radical economic changes
• They cemented Stalin's control over the Party and the USSR
• The plans were meant to showcase communism as a viable alternative to capitalism
• Industrialization ensured military readiness against Western threats
• A strong economy provided resources for weapon production and infrastructure
• Stalin feared invasion and needed an economy capable of wartime mobilization

Five-Year Plans

• The First Five-Year Plan (1928-1932) tripled electricity production and doubled coal and iron output, but suffered from a severe lack of skilled workers
• The Second Five-Year Plan (1933-1937) focused on machine-building, chemicals, and railway expansion, to reach self-sufficiency
• It failed from oil production did not meet targets, consumer goods and food production were still inadequate
• The Third Five-Year Plan (1938-1941) shifted to military production and experienced falls in steel and oil production
• Collectivization aimed to modernize agriculture and increase state control, allowing Bolsheviks to dictate production
• Wealthy peasants were targeted as "class enemies" for elimination
• Large state-controlled farms replaced inefficient small farms, allowing grain exports to fund industrial imports
• The government set production targets for industries through Gosplan
• A focus on heavy industry led to consumer goods being neglected
• Rapid industrialization led to economic growth, inefficiency, and waste
• Successes included boosted industrial output, strengthened military capability, and a more urbanized society
• Unrealistic targets led to inefficiency and production issues, as well as consumer goods shortages
• Millions died due to famine and poor working conditions
• Stalin wanted to increase grain production and control agriculture
• It eliminated Kulaks as a class and allowed the government to export grain to fund industrialization
• Private farms were abolished, and peasants were forced into collective farms (kolkhozes)
• State controlled production and distribution of grain, but peasants resisted

Success of The Policies

• Success: Provided food for industrial workers and exports.
• Failures included a massive famine (5-10 million deaths, particularly in Ukraine), lost freedom, and agricultural efficiency decline.
• The economy suffered due to forced labor and poor morale

Social Policies

• Women were expected to work and contribute to industrial growth
• Free healthcare, paid holidays, and accident insurance was introduced
• There was an Increased number of crèches (daycares) for working mothers and more women in the workforce
• A downside was that women were still expected to care for families, and had lower status in the workplace and the Communist Party
• Policies towards women were driven by necessity, not equality because women were encouraged to work due to labor shortages
• Policies improved conditions for women, but they were still restricted from high-ranking positions
• The Communist Party saw women as essential for industrial and agricultural growth, but their rights were not a priority
• Stalin promoted Russification (forcing minorities to adopt Russian culture)
• Russian language was mandatory in schools and 1.5 million ethnic minorities were deported to Asia
• Non-Russians removed from Communist Party leadership, and anti-Semitic measures were introduced

Impact of Policies

• Forced collectivization disrupted traditional farming, causing resistance and famine
• Millions of peasants died or were displaced, while Propaganda framed collectivization as voluntary and successful, the reality showed mass suffering
• Many resisted joining collective farms despite propaganda claims, and there were reports of forced labor and loss of independence, contradicting official Soviet messaging
• Large-scale displacement and suffering contributed to long-term resentment
• Religion was heavily persecuted, with churches closed and religious figures imprisoned
• Art and literature were strictly controlled, writers and musicians faced censorship

Collectivization

• Images depicted an idealized view which contrasted S2, that showed a picture of collective farms and forced collectivization
• The state won the war with with agriculture in the country due to the mass of forced collectivization
• Rapid industrialization and increased production had a positive impact, but this came with inefficiencies caused by suffering.
• In conclusion, the economy grew, but at an enormous human cost and with structural weaknesses
• As part of Stalin’s First Five-Year Plan, they designed a steel production for economic and military strength.
• It was created largely through the forced labor of peasants, and many workers lacked training
• A harsh existence included severe winters, food shortages, and overcrowded housing, while complaints about conditions could lead to arrest, exile, or execution.
• Despite Soviet propaganda, the reality was exploitation, repression, and suffering.

Consequences

• Despite poor conditions, Magnitogorsk became a major steel producer, playing a vital role in WWII and Soviet military expansion
• Rushed and poorly planned industrialization meant continuous shortages of food and housing
• The city symbolizes both Soviet economic progress and the brutal cost of Stalinist policies
• Severe pollution made the city one of Russia’s most polluted due to rapid industrialization
• High levels of disease and premature deaths occurred due to contaminated air and water.
• The strict suppression caused by the NKVD shaped society into one of fear and forced obedience
• Stalin’s success in industrializing the USSR came at the expense of millions of lives
• Economic and military strength increased, but the suffering of workers and damaged environment raise ethical concerns.
• Although you cant judge victors, historical achievements shouldn’t overshadow human suffering.

Modern Ukraine

• Putin's desire to stay in power, promising to "make Russia great again" and the threat of a democratic Ukraine threatened his rule
• Nato expansion as a Russian agenda. Comparison with Stalin (modern Russian propaganda)
• The past has been taken from, and modern Russia now rewrite it.

Similarities and Differences to the Past (Stalin)

• Tactics include invading Ukraine and Poland, soldiers with no or wrong uniforms, with support by criminal gangs.
• A new state with nationalism and Imperialism has been built through the use of social media, to distract from inner problems and legitimize expansion
• Past atrocities include Holodomor, now uniting the Ukraine.
• Other past tragedies include the loss of cultural identity as shown with Russian language
• The key goals of modern totalitarianism involves killing anyone who disagrees with them while using a mixture of facts and truth to control them.

Beginnings of Israeli Zionism

• Historical claims said that Jews & Arabs both lived in territory until 135 CE
• Zionism and Theodore Herzl led the movement for a Jewish homeland from 1880 and 1914 due to anti-Semitism British Promises (WWI): Arab independence and a Homeland for Jews

Creating Jewish Palestine

• The League of Nations controlled Palestine and Jewish migration increasing angering the other arabs
• After British control of Palestine (1919-1948) the 1947 UN created Jewish control of 56%, arab states invaded, but Israel won territory
• Six-Day War (1967): Israel captured West Bank, Gaza, Sinai, Golan Heights, after previous disputes After the Hamas attacks the humanitarian crisis increased, and a regional tension was created

Issues Today

• Current statehood is not solved due to the Israeli territories still growing
• The Oslo agreement has failed, and the summits have failed with it. There is mediation but currently it has failed too
• British policy increased conflict by failure to protect Arabs, limited emigration to prevent conflict, and the holocaust increased support
• The UN tried to created peace but the Arabs refused the plan creating permanent displacement and losing control of resources.