Stalin in Power
History: KS3, topic 18.3.7
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Five Year Plans
- Stalin introduced Five Year Plans to industrialise (focus on industrial activities) the Soviet Union’s economy.
Test yourself on Stalin in Power
What percentage of Communist Party members had been expelled for disloyalty by 1933?