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Chapter 3: Communist Russia (Notes)
Topics to focus on:
- Rise of Stalin
- Impact of Stalin’s rule - industrialization (5-year plans), collectivisation and rule of terror
a. Rise of Stalin
- It is important to remember that unlike Hitler, Stalin did not have to win the votes of the Russian people as the Soviet Union was under control of one party - the Communist Party - and the selection of the country's leader was not through a general elections process whereby the population gets to vote. Stalin’s main concern, therefore, was how to outsmart his rivals and present himself to the rest of the Communist Party members as the most suitable person to succeed Lenin.
- Hence, when studying the factors contributing to Stalin's rise, remember that these factors centre around -
- Stalin's political cunning and
- his rivals’ weaknesses
- Students often confuse the time frame of Stalin's rise and Stalin's attempts at strengthening his position ( control) - the former is an earlier time frame while the later take place after Stalin has already taken up leadership of the Soviet Union.
Factors contributing to Stalin’s rise
- Stalin's political cunning - this includes his forming alliances and outwitting his rivals; tending to be close to Lenin as well as using his position as Secretary-General.
- Trotsky’s Weaknesses
Stalin’s political cunning
One of Stalin's advantages for his rivals such as Trotsky, Zinoviev, and Kamenev, underestimated Disability and determination to become the leader of the Communist party and the country. One example of how he outwitted his rivals was when he tricked Trotsky into missing Lennon funeral by providing him with the wrong date. This made Trotsky appear disrespectful while at the same time, by taking on the role of chief mourner, Stalin made himself appear as being close to Lenin. Similarly, to get rid of his rivals, Stalin would form alliances with each of them. For example, he plotted with Kamenev and Zinoviev against Trotsky. Once Trotsky was eliminated as a rival, Stalin was cunning enough to use his position as a Secretary-General of the party to give the important post to his supporters. Out of gratefulness to Stalin for their positions, these Party members became his loyal supporters. As Secretary-General Stalin also controlled the local Party Committee, therefore, he was able to spread his influence throughout all the levels of the Party. When the time came for the Party members to choose their leader, Stalin was able to use his influence over many Party members to vote him into power instead of Trotsky.
Trotsky’s Weaknesses
Although Trotsky was Lenin's choice to succeed him after his death, Trotsky had many weaknesses that eventually led him to lose the favour of many Party members. As leader of the Red Army during the October Revolution, Trotsky has proved himself to be a highly intelligent and capable leader. As a result, many party members were intimidated (fearful) by him and even found him arrogant. Moreover, since Trotsky believed that he would take over from Lenin, he did not put much effort into building up his support base which consisted mainly of youth, students and the Red Army.
(Extra) Stalin’s personality (manipulative and cunning nature) led to his rise to power as he uses all his resources to his advantage. Stalin knew that if he played fair, Trotsky would win even with his weaknesses. Stalin took advantage of his weaknesses to his advantage and played one person against the other, removing all potential candidates and rise to power.
(Extra) Trotsky's idea of world revolution did not find broad acceptance among Party members because they were weary at the prospect of more fighting. Most felt that Stalin’s idea of ‘socialism in one country’ was more practical.
b. Impact of Stalin’s rule
3 areas to consider:
- Industrialisation (Five-Year Plans)
- Collectivisation
- Rule of Terror (how Stalin controlled the country)
When evaluating the impact of Stalin’s rule, you need to consider:
- The successes and failures / the benefits and disadvantages.
- Wherever you are assessing the progress from the viewpoint of the leader or the people - for e.g. might benefit from the rule of terror, but his people live in fear.
- Short-term and long-term effects - for e.g. During the first few years of the Five-Year plans, people suffered and had to make many sacrifices but later on, they are situation improved.
When writing your essay, you will need to provide examples and explain. For example, if I want to argue that industrialization was a failure, I would use the example that that was a great shortage of daily necessities. This caused a lot of suffering to the people and therefore, from the viewpoint of the people, industrialization was a failure.
Industrialization
Stalin had three Five-Year plans which focused on heavy industries. The aim was to modernize the Soviet Union and to prepare it for any attacked by non-Communist countries.
Benefits
Industrial production increased tremendously. More than 1,500 factories and 100 new cities were built. The government focused on educating and training workers so they could become more skilled and obtain higher paying jobs. Workers receive cheap meals and free uniforms. There was subsidized health care and the government provided many leisure facilities.
Disadvantages
Workers suffered from poor working conditions with many restrictions, for example, if they stole things from the factory, they would be put to death. Initially, there was a shortage of basic goods such as food and clothing. These items had to be rationed. Lead to high prices and the actual value of workers’ salaries fell.
Conclusion
When industrialization first began, life was difficult for the workers but after 1935, the situation began to improve felt that the government was creating a better society for them.
Collectivisation
The aim was to increase the production of crops by improving farming methods through the use of modern machinery like tractors. Small farms would be grouped into a single large unit that would be managed by government officials.
Benefits
The government received a cheap and regular supply of crops. More workers were freed from the countryside to work in factories in the cities.
Disadvantages
There were right and resistance because many refused to give up their farms, particularly the kulaks (rich farmers). They preferred to destroy the livestock (farm animals) and crops than surrender than to the government. Many were killed or sent to gulags (labour camps). Millions died from the famines caused by farmers burning their crops as well as natural disasters such as droughts and floods.
Conclusion
Collectivization only benefits the government and not the people.
Rule of Terror
Stalin carried out purges to get rid of his opponents. Russians were not allowed to practice their religion. He encouraged the people to become informants and to report others to the government. The NKVD (secret police) became very powerful. He also prevented people from practising their religion. At the same time, he tried to use more “persuasive” methods of controlling the people. For example, he controlled education and the arts. He used propaganda and created a ‘cult of personality’.
Benefits
Stalin was able to effectively eliminate his opponents. While many Russians feared him, there were so many others who looked up to him as a good leader.
Disadvantages
The Russian people lived in fear and suspicion. Millions were rested or executed. They had no personal freedom as the government has such tight controls over their lives. Many talented and skillful Russians were forced to leave the country or were executed, therefore the country could not benefit from their contributions.
Conclusion
Stalin said that touch control was necessary in order for industrialization and collectivization to succeed. He was clever enough to realize that he alone could not keep the people under his control, that was why he also made sure that he presented himself as a kindly and father leader.
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