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Chapter 8- Stalin's dictatorship - Coggle Diagram
Chapter 8- Stalin's dictatorship
Foreign threat
Nazi
Stalin slow to realise Nazi threat. Stalin realised there was a problem when Nazi attacks in KP2, German-Polish treaty 1934, German diplomats speaking of expanding into the USSR. Foreign policy was to get allies against Germany. 1934- USSR accepted into the USSR league of nations. 1935- agreement signed between Czech, French, USSR promising mutual assistance. The Munich agreement in 1938 worried Stalin. Stalin asked for alliance with France and Britain. 1939 Soviet-Nazi pact signed . This was for peaceful nations for 10 years and split Poland should it be invaded.
China
1935- Chinese communists led by Mao Zedong in a war against communists led by Chiang Kia-Shek. Communist party also being attacked by Japan who were occupying large ports. Stalin gave little help to communist party as he said they were not following communism properly. Zedong did not want him taking over his civil war.
Stalin supported nationalist party- WHY? thought they were more helpful, wanted Japanese expansion to be halted. They worked together and a peace treaty was signed in 1941.
1936- ANTI COMMUNIST PACT- Many countries signed because people were begining to find out about the purges. Angered Stalin.
Spain
1936-39 there was a Spanish civil war. Stalin supported the republicans who were on the left. Shifted focus away from the purges. With agreement of Stalin sending military equipment in responce Spain sent most of gold reserve. Stalin did not want republicans to win. just wanted to dominate them and enforce pro-soviet ideas. Spanish resented the USSR. Stallin said if communism won in Spain then maybe in France, Britain etc...
The purges
What was the idea?
WHY? Consolidate and extend authority. Remove threats.
TRIGGER- trial of Ryutin. A communists who published article criticising Stalin. Stalin tried to remove him from office. Led to first major party purge.
Stalin's motivations
Quickest way of terrorising colleagues. Ryutin showed him resistance was possible. He had a suspicious nature, no one was safe. Purges condition of soviet life.
The post-kirov purges
Nichole murdered, apparently because he was having an affair with mans wife but rumoured to have bee orchestrated by Stalin. He was a threat to Stalin, very popular and criticised Stalin's industrial drive.
Within hours of death Stalin signed 'decree against against terrorism act' on the pretext of hunting down the killer. Purge led by Yogoda.
30,000 conspirators rounded up imprisoned, executed, 10,000 deported from Leningrad. No party members safe.
Stalin filled vacancies with own nominees. 1935- Kirov position filled by Zhanov described as a slury cheap with no idea in his head. Vyschnkvi appointed to chief prosecutor because of vengeful ways. Benia- oversaw nation minorities- child molester and rapist.
The great purge of the party.
1936-38 did show trials to remove political enemies.1936- Kimonev +Zinovlev and 14 other leading Bolsheviks accused of being involved in the murder of Kirov. After torture pleaded guilty. Had a psychological effect on lesser party men as it made it harder for them to retain their innocence. Many innocent people claimed to be guilty.
Purge of people
By 1941 8 million arrested, average sentence 10 years, staying in freezing conditions, could not repeal against sentence.Yeshev was cheif organisers of NKVD squads showed no mercy,executed almost immediatly. Most people had a designated killing zone. Burove village outside Moscow had a mass grave containing 20,000 bodies. Quota system for number of people killed
Purge of the armed forces
1937 it came under threat and Stalin realised it could not continue as an independent force. He organised a large number of transfers from higher ranks to prevent centres of resistance. May 1957- Vyshinskvi announced a giant conspiracy in army. Tuchensky was accused of spying for Japan and Germany. In the following 18 months wide scale destruction of army. 11 war commissars removed from office, 14/16 commissars removed, 25,000 commissioned officers shot. In some camps truck loads of officers were seen leaving daily. 1939- all three areas of army undermined and staffed by inexperienced people.
The purges go full circle
Interrogator's themselves became victims and condemned to execution and labour camps.
Who was responsible?
Stalinism not an all encompassing sense of government - officer able to implement own reign of terror- how purges carried out depended on local party organisation, many saw it as opportunity to settle old scores -party members saw it as a way of advancing their own opportunities - some felt Stalin's methods exactly what Russia needed - collectivisation and industrialisation encouraged gov officials to resort to extreme measures -notion of civil rights not strong enouugh in Russia
Stalin enrolment- Many skilled and industrial workers joined CPSU to further careers could only be factory owner if you had a communist party membership. They felt their position was owed to Stalin.
Stalin's totalitarian state
Russia a one party state, political and social control maintained by a terror system e.g regular purges and show trials. Stallin controlled via absolute power as he was the embodiment
Nomenklatura: Completed dedicated to Stalin, old activists from civil war and revolution wiped out. Gained privileges not available to rest of population. about 60,000
Stalin's cult of personality
Est. him as a hero
His picture everywhere e.g newspapers, books and films. Every achievement credited to Stalin. He became personification of all things great in Russia. In private he said he did not want glorification but he did not do anything to prevent it. Krimsche did most to promote him.
Propaganda
Shakespeare was really Russian , Russian navigators first to discover America, produced a soft drink comparable to coca cola. School textbooks taught the virtues of him.
People worship him
Religion exploited traditional idols worshipped, Stalin was seen as an icon e.g. his picture was carried on flags A French visitor was staggered by the size of the images of Stalin. Day long parades, morning troupes, rolling tanks, dancing children's. Stalin wisdom was put in Pravda. He was taught to be the protector.
Komsomol
Communis union of youth. 14-18 and they had ayoung pioneers movement for those less than 14. Members got same benefits as CPSU party members. 1927- 2 mill 1940- 10 mill. Most enthuastic supporters of Stallin. Provided cheerleaders and huge gymnastic displays.