17.3.7

Stalin in Power

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Stalin in Power

When in power, Stalin used terror to strengthen his control. He got rid of any opponents and forced through economic policies to modernise the Soviet Union.

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Use of terror

  • Stalin used purges to get rid of any opposition and increase Communist control.
  • By 1933, 18% of Communist party members had been expelled for disloyalty.
  • Stalin used ‘show trials’ to make examples of ‘traitors’ to the Soviet Union.
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The Great Purge

  • The Great Purge (or Great Terror) was between 1936 and 1938.
  • As many as eight million people were arrested during the Great Terror (1937-38). One million were shot. Two million died in the labour camps. The numbers are still disputed by historians.
    • The vast majority were, however, innocent of any crimes.
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Propaganda

  • Stalin made himself the focus of the Communist Party.
  • Stalin presented himself as working alongside factories, farms and workers. This made him seem close to the people.
  • He was called the ‘Leader, Teacher and Friend’ of the Soviet Union.
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Collectivisation

  • Under collectivisation peasants were forced to work to government targets and share resources.
  • This was very unpopular and millions of peasants died as a result.
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Five Year Plans

  • Stalin introduced Five Year Plans to industrialise (focus on industrial activities) the Soviet Union’s economy.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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