The Soviet Union Under Stalin

Objective 1: Explain Stalin’s methods of control and the changes they brought to Soviet society.

Objective 2: Explain the facets of totalitarianism

Stalin

• 1924: Lenin dies…begins a struggle over power in the Politburo v. Trotsky

• Sentences all those who oppose him to exile, prison, or death

• 1929: Stalin becomes dictator; all soviet councils are puppets

The Five Year Plans

• Aimed at building industry, transportation, and increasing farm output

• All economic activity under government control – command economy

• Increased production – but at a large cost of human life

Forced Relocations

Collectives

• Agriculture under government control

• Created collectives – large farms owned and supplied by the government, operated by peasants

• Initially not supported• Stalin had kulaks

(wealthy farmers) punished

• Created the “Terror Famine”

• Policies did not increase farm output

Terror Famine

Stalin’s Russia

• Use of force and propaganda increase• Secret police (KGB) established– Arrest and kill any who opposed the state– “Re-educate” any who doubted the greatness of the

state– Purges

• All religion was outlawed, cult of Stalin created• Party leaders become the rich upper class

Propaganda

Gulags

Foreign Policy • Comintern • Supported revolutionary

activities outside of the Soviet Union

• Caused G.B. and other countries to break off relations with the Soviet Union

• Joined the League of Nations

• Mistrust