2013 unit 2.2 part 1 stalin.pdf

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Maris Stella High School2013 Secondary 3 History Elective (2204/03)

Chapter 2: Stalin’s Soviet Union

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CHAPTER 2: STALIN’S SOVIET UNION

I. BACKGROUND

In the 20

th

century, the ideas of a German thinker, Karl Marx, began to spread. Marxargued that society was divided into 2 antagonistic classes – the bourgeois (the richpeople) and the proletariat (the poor working class). The bourgeois exploit the poor withlow wages and poor working conditions and thus the proletariat suffered. Marx believedthat the proletariat would eventually rise against the bourgeois to create a communistsociety – one in which wealth is shared equally among the people.

In Russia, many who suffered under the Tsar’s rule were inspired by Marx’s ideas. Someof them formed political parties, one of which was the Social Democratic Party formed in1898. In 1903, this party’s members could not agree on the best way to establish acommunist society and they split into 2 groups – the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks. The

Bolsheviks were led by Vladimir Lenin and they believed in seizing power by force, throughstrikes and violent demonstrations. The Mensheviks, however, believed in changingsociety slowly.

In February 1917 (March 1917 according to Russian calendar), a series of strikes hitRussia. The Tsar ordered his soldiers to put down the revolt but they refused. Withoutsupport from the army or his people, the Tsar had no choice but to abdicate. A provisionalgovernment was set up to run the country. However, in October 1917, the Bolshevikstoppled the provisional government and took over power – the world’ 1 st communistregime, led by Lenin, was established. In 1924, the former territories of the Russian empirewere combined to form the Soviet Union or USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).

When Lenin died in January 1924, there was a struggle to replace him as the leader of theUSSR. Among the candidates were Leon Trotsky, Lev Kamenev, Grigory Zinoviev, NikolaiBukharin, and Josef Stalin. Eventually Stalin emerged victorious to become the next leader of the USSR.






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II. INQUIRY QUESTION: WAS STALIN’S RISE TO POWER EXPECTED?

Pick your favorite candidate for the next leader of the Soviet Union!

Potential Candidates to Succeed Lenin:

Leon Trotsky

Lev Kamenev

Joined the Bolsheviks in 1917 – before that he was amember of the Mensheviks (Bolsheviks’ rivals)

Made many anti-Lenin speeches before he joined theBolsheviks

Played a leading role in the October Revolution in 1917and in the civil war

Brilliant man with great public speaking and writingskills

Did not try to win over the support of key members of the Bolshevik Party as he believed he would definitelysucceed Lenin. He was Lenin’s choice as successor

Member of the Bolshevik Party since its formation in1903

Trusted by Lenin

He had good leadership and organizational skills

He had acted as Lenin’s deputy before

Not keen for the Bolsheviks to launch the October Revolution as he felt that the timing was not right – thiswas one instance when he opposed Lenin. Lenin wasdisappointed in Kamenev for failing to support him






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Grigory Zinoviev

Joseph Stalin

Who is best likely to emerge the next leader? Why?

What qualities should a person possess to lead Soviet Union after Lenin’s death?

• Charisma

• Competence – able to come up with good policies

• Heart for citizens

• Good speaker

• Popular with people – in country and in the party

• Has resources to gain supporters

• Political astuteness

• Integrity and character • Experienced in leadership posts

• Blessings of Lenin

Member of the Bolshevik Party since its formation in

1903 and was trusted by Lenin

He had good leadership and organizational skills

Like Kamenev, Zinoviev too had opposed Lenin on thetiming of the October Revolution

Did not play any significant role in the October Revolution or the Civil War

Seen as a quiet man who was neither liked nor disliked

by Party members

Was seen by Trotsky and many others as a ‘dim-witted’ person

Lenin was sceptical about whether he would make agood leader






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A. STALIN – THE LEAST LIKELY LEADERSHIP CANDIDATE

1. Lack of Personal Qualities of a Leader

What were Stalin’s shortcomings? How would each shortcoming make him an unlikelyleader?

−Not charismatic – therefore unable to attract people to support him

− Not a good public speaker – unable to persuade people to support him

− Not a war hero – people would not be impressed with him

− Not intellectual – people would not respect him for being able to think intelligently

2. Lack of Support from Lenin

How would Lenin’s Political Testament affect Stalin if it was read out during a meeting of

all communist party members?

− The communists might then have removed Stalin from the post of General

Secretary and dropped their support for Stalin – Stalin might then not have beable to rise to power

A Historian’s view of Stalin

Stalin seemed to have none of the characteristics normally expected of a great leader: he had nothing like the charisma of Lenin and Trotsky, all his rivals werebetter public speakers than he was, he was not a war hero, and he was certainly nowhere near the intellectual equal of Trotsky or Bukharin. In fact Trotsky described Stalin as ‘the Party’s most eminent mediocrity … a man destined to play second or

third fiddle’

Lenin’s Political Testament:

Stalin is too crude and this defect is entirely unacceptable in the position of General Secretary. I therefore propose to comrades that they should devise a means of removing him from this job and should appoint to this job someone else who isdistinguished from comrade Stalin… by the single superior aspect that he should bemore tolerant, more polite and more attentive towards comrades, less capricious.






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To sum up why…

o Stalin’s rise to power was not inevitable because in actual fact, he lackedsupport from Lenin. Lenin has written a will in early 1923 expressing his misgivingsabout Stalin. He felt that Stalin was not suitable as the Secretary-General and wantedhim removed from the position. Lenin also stated that he preferred Trotsky to be the

Secretary-General because Trotsky was more loyal to the communist party. The willwas meant to be read at the Party Congress at which all important members of theParty would be present. Since Stalin was the on the verge of losing his importantpost as Secretary-General, there was a chance he would no longer be able tomake use of that prestigious position as Secretary to gain support and wouldthus not been able to rise to power.

o Stalin’s rise to power was not inevitable because he faced numerous rivals. Trotskywas a key rival capable of challenging Stalin’s rise to power. Trotsky had the favor of Lenin and he also had the support of students and the Red Army. In other words,Trotsky had the potential to challenge Stalin. Hence it was never guaranteed that

Stalin could rise to power. Moreover, even after getting rid of Trotsky, Stalin’s risewas not inevitable because his allies – Kamenev and Zinoviev – were still around tochallenge him. In fact after the two of them got rid of Trotsky, they turned around andcriticized Stalin’s idea of Socialism in One Country. Hence challenges to Stalin’spower were present and thus his rise to power was not inevitable.






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B. REASONS FOR STALIN’S RISE TO POWER

1. Position as Secretary General

How can control over appointments, promotions, and demotions help Stalin?

− By controlling promotions, he ensured that these people were indebted to him andthus would support his rise to power

− By controlling demotions, he ensured his opponents lose power and would not beable to oppose him and also served as a warning to potential opponents – that waythere would not be many opposing his rise to power

Who made up Stalin’s support base?

− Important Communist Party members

Did Trotsky have much support? Why?

− No, because (1) some were jealous of him, (2) he was arrogant and treated others

with contempt, (3) workers did not like his recommendation to discipline them

How is Trotsky’s support base different from Stalin’s?

− Trotsky’s support base came from students and Red Army but Stalin’s supportbase came from important political party members

Which support base had more power in determining the next leader?

− The important political party members

Why was Stalin able to defeat Trotsky to rise to power?

−

Stalin used his position as Secretary General to consolidate support whereasTrotsky did not have any support from important party members – thus with greater support, Stalin was able to rise to power

A historian’s description of Stalin:

As the Party Secretary, Stalin controlled all party appointments, promotions and demotions. He made sure that local trade unions, cooperatives and army units wereled by communists loyal to Stalin himself. He also kept detailed files on all managersof industry and all party members. Even the secret police came under his control. Heassigned Trotsky’s supporters posts as far away from Moscow as possible.

A historian’s view of Trotsky:

Trotsky’s unpopularity with the most influential of the leading Bolsheviks greatly reduced his chances of success. Some were jealous that he rose to the top soquickly after joining the party much later than them. Although he had support among students and in the Red Army, he was not popular with industrial workers whoremembered his suggestion of strict military discipline for workers. He could beextremely arrogant: he often treaded Kamenev, Zinoviev, and Stalin withcondescension and even contempt. By the end of 1924, almost all his support in theCommunist Party had disappeared.






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To sum up this factor …

o 1 reason for Stalin’s rise to power was because of the advantageous position heoccupied in the Communist Party. His position as the General Secretary was importantbecause it was a sign of Lenin’s favor. As the Party Secretary, he has the authorityover 700 officials. He controlled, in essence, all party appointments, promotions anddemotions. He made sure that local trade unions, cooperatives, and army units wereled by loyal communists responsible to Stalin himself. He also kept detailed files on allmanagers of industry and all party members. Even the secret police came under hiscontrol. This helped him gain support from those he put in power because those peoplewho owed their posts to Stalin dared not oppose him. Hence his position as PartySecretary allowed him to consolidate a strong support base. His strong supportbase came in useful when they supported him against Trotsky. Hence Stalin wasable to rise to power.

o Trotsky’s supporters within the party were assigned posts as far from Moscow aspossible. In fact he drew his support from a narrow base: youths, students, and the

Red Army. Party members considered Trotsky arrogant. Trotsky himself was alsocomplacent about building support within the Party because he thought Lenin wouldpick him to be the successor. In other words, Trotsky, unlike Stalin, did not try to buildup a support base and did not have the support of important party members. BecauseTrotsky did not have a strong support base, he was unable to competeeffectively with Stalin. Thus Stalin had an edge over him and was able to rise topower.






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2. Stalin’s ‘Socialism in One Country’

Considering that the Russians had just finished fighting 4 years of WW1 and 3 years of civil war, would they support the idea of trying to spread communism overseas or wouldthey support the idea of consolidating communism at home? Why?

− Most would support the idea of consolidating communism at home becausethe idea of world revolution suggested more fighting – something the Russianswere tired of after the civil war

Why would most uneducated Russians support Stalin’s idea of ‘socialism in one country’?

− The idea was more easily understood by uneducated Russians

How did Stalin’s idea of ‘Socialism in One Country’ help Stalin rise to power?

− Stalin’s idea was more easily understood and had more support from those tiredof conflict and thus they supported him rather than Trotsky and Stalin was thenable to rise to power


Stalin’s rise to power was because of the appeal of his political ideas. Stalin maintainedthat socialism was possible within one country. This did not mean that Stalin abandonedthe idea of a world revolution. What it meant was that Russia would serve as the world'sshining example of socialism until the world revolution did take place. Stalin’s rival, Trotskymaintained that only a world revolution would permit Russia to carry socialism to its proper conclusion. Socialism, in other words, could not succeed in one country. There must beeither a world socialist revolution or Russian socialism was doomed to failure. Suchcomplicated ideas were hard for Russians to understand. So, he failed to get much

support for his ideas. This weakened his support base and affected his chance of rising to power. On the other hand, Stalin won support because many who were notvery educated agreed with his simple interpretation of ‘Socialism in one country’ i.e.USSR should become strong first before focusing on bringing about a worldrevolution. As people understood Stalin, Stalin was able to gain greater popularitythan his rival Trotsky. This gave him an edge over Trotsky and helped him rise topower. Secondly, at a time when Russians were tired of civil war, the idea of ‘Socialism in one country’ that focused on making USSR strong appealed to peoplemore than ideas of world revolution. The idea of world revolution seemed to implymore fighting – something which the Russians were weary of. They believed thatStalin’s idea was more practical and thus Stalin was able to get more support which

helped him come to power.

Socialism in One Country vs. Permanent Revolution:

Stalin went against Trotsky’s theory of ‘permanent revolution’. Trotsky wanted Russiato continue to spread the revolution world-wide i.e. try to turn other countriescommunist by supporting revolutionaries in other countries. In opposition to this,Stalin put forth the idea of ‘socialism in one country’. Stalin basically argued that socialism must first be firmly established in Russia and that Russia’s economic and military strength must be built up. Stalin felt that it was only when Russia was strong enough then should it think of spreading communism abroad.






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3. Cult of Lenin

What role did Stalin play during Lenin’s funeral?

− Chief mourner

Why did Stalin play that role during Lenin’s funeral?

− To make himself appear close to Lenin so that those who supported Lenin wouldsupport him

Who was missing during the funeral?

− Trotsky

Why did Stalin lie to Trotsky?

−Stalin lied to Trotsky so that Trotsky would miss the funeral which would in turncause people to have a very bad impression of Trotsky

After Lenin’s funeral, how did people view Stalin and Trotsky?

− Stalin was perceived as a loyal supporter of Lenin whereas Trotsky was seen asnot respectful of Lenin

How did Stalin’s actions help him rise to power?

− By making himself appear close to Lenin, he gained the support of manycommunists who were supportive of Lenin. This enhanced his support base evenfurther and thus he was able to rise to power.

A biography of Trotsky:

Trotsky was recovering from an illness when Lenin died. He telephoned Stalin to ask when the funeral was to be held. Stalin said, “On Saturday, you can’t get back in timeanyway so we advise you to continue with your treatment.” This was a lie. Thefuneral was on Sunday and Trotsky could have reached Moscow by then.






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Another reason for Stalin’s rise to power was the development of the cult of Lenin. After Lenin’s death in 1922, Stalin tried to show that he was very close to the late leader. Thiswas because Lenin was a widely respected figure and he hoped that by portraying himself as a close follower of Lenin, Lenin’s supporters would support him too. So, he developed a

cult around Lenin to show his devotion to Lenin. Lenin’s body was embalmed anddisplayed and Stalin presented himself as the chief mourner. Hence, Lenin’s supporterssaw him as a man who was true to Lenin right to the end. This gained him supportfrom those who had been loyal to Lenin. On the other hand, Trotsky was not evenpresent during Lenin’s funeral. This was because Stalin had given the wrong date of thefuneral to Trotsky so that Trotsky would miss the funeral. Many Party members gotangry with Trotsky because his absence seemed to them to be a lack of respect for Lenin. As a result, Stalin was able to put himself in a more positive light comparedto Trotsky and able to gain support of both the masses and party members. Suchsupport helped Stalin rise to power.






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4. Stalin’s Political Maneuvers

After Lenin’s death, Stalin worked together with Kamenev and Zinoviev against Trotsky.When Trotsky criticized Kamenev and Zinoviev for opposing the timing of the October revolution, Stalin defended Kamenev and Zinoviev. Kamenev and Zinoviev were alsowilling to work with Stalin.

Why did Kamenev and Zinoviev defend Stalin against Lenin’s Last Testament?

−Because they saw Trotsky as a greater threat and Stalin as a lesser threat to theleadership position because Trotsky appeared more intelligent and becauseLenin had indicated he favoured Trotsky over Lenin

− Because Trotsky had criticized them and was condescending to them

Now that Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev were gone, what would be Stalin’s next move?

− Now that only Stalin and Bukharin were left, Stalin would move against Bukharin

How did all these political maneuvers help Stalin rise to power?

−By systematically removing all his opponents, there was no one left to oppose himand thus Stalin was able to rise to power.

Zinoviev speaking to other communist leaders about Lenin’s Last Testament thatcalled for Stalin’s removal from the post of Secretary-General:

Comrades, every word of Lenin is law to us… But we are happy to say that Lenin’sfears have proved baseless. I have in mind the point about Stalin. You all havewitnessed our harmonious cooperation in the last few months; and like myself, youwill be happy to say that Lenin’s fears have proved groundless.

A historian’s description of events from 1925 to 1927:

With Trotsky out of the running for the leadership post, Stalin began to turn against Kamenev and Zinoviev. Kamenev and Zinoviev also began to oppose Stalin and

Bukharin. Many saw this as their bids for leadership. Kamenev and Zinoviev thendecided to work with Trotsky against Stalin and spoke out in support for Trotsky’sidea of ‘permanent revolution’. Stalin cunningly turned the opposition’s argumentsagainst them. He pointed out that their support for ‘permanent revolution’ proved that he cared more for foreign countries than for Russia. That meant they were all traitors. As a result, Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev were expelled from the Communist Party, leaving Stalin and Bukharin supreme.

A historian’s description of events from 1925 to 1927:

Stalin started to criticize Bukharin’s policies. He removed Bukharin’s supporters fromtheir posts all over Russia and replaced them with his own allies. In November 1929,Stalin delivered a scathing 3 hour speech, full of sarcasm and insults directed against Bukharin, and shortly afterwards, Bukharin was removed from power.






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o Lastly, Stalin’s political maneuvers also helped him to rise to power. Stalin made use of rival groups within the party – he cooperated with his political enemies Kamenev andZinoviev to get rid of Trotsky. Lenin has written a will in early 1923 expressing hismisgivings about Stalin and wanted him removed from the position. Lenin also stated

that he preferred Trotsky to be the Secretary-General. The will was to be read at theParty Congress. However Kamenev and Zinoviev managed to persuade the Politburonot to read out Lenin’s will. This dealt Trotsky a severe blow in his chances todefeat Stalin. It also ensured Stalin remain secure in his position as PartySecretary and gave him the chance to make use of his position to gain moresupporters. Stalin also then quickly moved to remove Trotsky’s post as theCommissar of the Red Army so that Trotsky’s support base would be further undermined. Hence Trotsky was unable to challenge Stalin effectively for power.Hence it can be seen that Stalin’s political maneuvering of getting allies tosupport him and cunningly getting rid of Trotsky helped Stalin move a step closeto his rise to power.

o Once Trotsky was removed, Stalin joined with Bukharin against Kamenev and Zinovievespecially when the two of them began to oppose Stalin. They actually turned aroundto try to work with Trotsky against Stalin and spoke out in support for Trotsky’s idea of permanent revolution. Stalin then cunningly pointed out their support for ‘permanentrevolution’ proved that they cared more for other countries than for Russia and thatthey were thus traitors. As a result, he effectively managed to get them expelledfrom the Communist Party at a time when they were about to challenge Stalin’sposition. In other words, Stalin used his political cunningness to effectivelyremove his most credible rivals and thus he was able to rise to power.

o Having removed Kamenev and Zinoviev, he turned against Bukharin. With Trotsky

exiled from the country, with Lenin dead, with Zinoviev, Kamenev, and Bukharin dealtwith, Stalin was now ready to take over control of the USSR. Thus it can be seen thatStalin was a shrewd politician who made numerous political maneuvers tosystematically get rid of other politicians who posed a challenge to his power and position. Eventually there was no real challenge to his authority and thus hecould emerge as the unchallenged leader of the USSR.






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III. STALIN’S LEADERSHIP

1. Collectivization

What is collectivization?

Stalin forced peasants to give up their small plots of land and animals. The land andanimals were pooled with those of other families to make a farm large enough to usemachinery and modern farming methods efficiently. These collective farms now belongedto the state. The government provided each collective farm (also called kolkhoz) withmachinery such as tractors. The peasants, who no longer owned the farms, were to workon these state-owned collective farms for a low fixed wage. The government would buy theproduce of each farm at low fixed prices.

What were the problems Stalin faced when it comes to agriculture? Why did suchproblems come about?

−Shortage of grain for towns and the army was caused by kulaks who kept thegrains for profit

− Inefficiency in farming was caused by old-fashioned and inefficient farmingmethods

What aims did Stalin have when it comes to agriculture?

− Get rid of kulaks

− Raise output

− Raise efficiency

Why did Stalin have these 2 aims in mind?

−Stalin wanted to get rid of kulaks because they hoarded grains which resulted inthe workers and soldiers not having enough food

− Stalin wanted to increase output because he wanted to sell the surplus abroadin order to make money needed to develop the country

− Stalin wanted more workers in industrial centres. This meant that there would bepeasants available to farm the fields. That was why agricultural methods had tobe made more efficient

How could collectivization help to achieve the 2 aims?

− Collectivization meant that all peasants, including the kulaks, needed to surrender

their farms – that way, kulaks would not be able to hoard grains and Stalin wouldthen have enough grains to feed the workers, army, and to sell the surplus

− Machinery to be given to collective farms would make farming efficient

Stalin’s speech about reasons for collectivization

Look at the kulak farms: their barns and sheds are crammed with grain. They arewaiting for prices to rise. So long as there are Kulaks there will be sabotage of our grain needs. The effect will be that our towns and industrial centers, as well as theRed Army, will be threatened with hunger. We cannot allow that. We must break theresistance of this class of kulaks and deprive it of its existence. Moreover, look at the peasants now – they are using old-fashioned, inefficient farming methods.

*kulaks: rich peasants






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What were peasants’ attitudes towards collectivization?

−

Those rich peasants did not support collectivization− Those poor ones without land supported collectivization

How then did the Soviet government manage to bring about collectivization?

− Those who resisted were punished – sent to labour camps or shot

Methods Used to Bring About Collectivization

Stalin adopted a policy of collectivization by force. He ordered Communist officials to forcefarmers to hand over their crops. Young Communist Party members went around looking

for food and would confiscate any crops they found. Backed by Stalin’s secret police, Partyofficials were sent to countryside to form collective farms. These officials often forced thefarmers to sign documents agreeing to the formation of collective farms. They would takeover the fields, livestock, farming tools and buildings of farmers. Orders were given toshoot farmers who resisted or to send them to labour camps. As a result, thousands of kulaks were rounded up and either killed or sent to labour camps.

A landless Russian peasant’s view of collectivization

Collectivization sounds good. With collectivization, I will get the same pay as those peasants who now have land while I have nothing. It will make life more equal.

Russian peasant who rented the land he worked on gave his view of collectivization

It is a good idea. We no longer need to pay absurdly high rent to work on the land

A kulak’s view of collectivization

In the past, we got high prices for selling our crops. That was fair, given the amount

of effort and time we spent in the fields. With collectivization, we will have to sell our produce at very low prices to the government.

A collectivized farmer’s view of collectivization

It sounds fine for those of us who work hard, but what about those who are lazy?Why should we share our hard-earned money with them?






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Outcomes of Collectivization

Item 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935

Grain (Millions of tonnes) 73.3 71.1 83.5 69.5 69.6 68.4 67.6 75.0

Cattle (Millions) 70.5 67.1 52.3 47.9 40.1 38.4 42.4 49.3

Pigs (Millions) 26.0 20.4 13.6 14.4 11.6 12.1 17.4 22.6Sheep & Goats (Millions) 146.5 147.0 108.8 77.7 52.1 50.2 51.9 61.1

What were the results of collectivization?

− On the whole agricultural output was lower compared to 1928

− From 1933, output increased in all areas

Impact of Collectivization on Soviet citizens:

How did collectivization affect Soviet people? Please give evidence.

− Harsh treatment of peasants who opposed – “sent to labour camps” or “killed”

− Elimination of kulaks – “kulaks had been destroyed”

−Famine – seen in how the children were so skinny

Farmers who did not like collectivization rioted and engaged in armed resistance to try tostop collectivization. Stalin responded by ordering 17 million horses used in farming to bekilled so that farmers would be forced to use tractors instead. Peasants who refused tocooperate were sent to the gulags to work on Stalin’s ambitious construction projects.

Severe food shortages occurred because the farmers burnt their crops and grew less foodrather than send them to the communist officials. The decline in crop production was madeworse by natural disasters such as droughts and floods. Severe famine occurred, the mostsevere occurring in Ukraine. Stalin even sold some of the crops to other countries to raise

money to buy machines from other countries.

A historian describing the outcome of collectivization:

Collectivization was carried out at enormous cost to the Soviet people, especially those who opposed because they were sent to labor camps (gulags). Some werekilled. By 1937, over 90% of peasant farms had been collectivized and the Kulakshad been destroyed.






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2. Industrialization

Aims of Industrialization

According to Stalin, why was there a need to industrialize?

− To become modern

− Tsarist Russia had fallen because it was weak and did not industrialize – so USSRneeded to industrialize so that it would not be weak and would not fall to the West

− To catch up with the West

Stalin was determined to modernize Soviet industry. Stalin wanted to transform the USSRfrom a backward agricultural country to a modern industrial one for various reasons:

− Prestige: Stalin wanted the USSR to catch up with the Western world. This would alsomean that USSR would be less dependent on the West for industrial goods.

− Security: Stalin believed the USSR was likely to be attacked by Western capitaliststates and that it would be defeated unless it modernized. A modernized industry wouldenable him to build up the Soviet armed forces

− Successful Communism: By creating and sharing wealth among the Soviet people, he

hoped to get people’s support for communism− Agriculture: Improved industry was essential to produce the machinery necessary to

modernize farming – this was essential for collectivization

To achieve industrialization, Stalin drew up 5 year plans with targets for workers to meet.

1st

Five Year Plan 1928–1932

− Increase production in energy and heavy industry such as electricity, coal, iron, oil, andsteel so as to enable the USSR to increase its armaments quickly

− All private businesses that had been allowed during Lenin’s time were closed down or taken over by the Soviet government

2nd Five Year Plan 1933–1937

− Concentrate on consumer goods and better housing for Soviet people

− In 1934 the focus turned to armaments again due to the threat from Hitler’s Germany

− Emphasized new industries e.g. lead, zinc, tin and chemicals

3rd Five Year Plan 1937

− Concentrate on the production of household goods and luxuries such as bicycles andradios – this was an attempt to provide Soviet citizens with some of the consumer goods common in other industrialized countries

−Focus on armaments industries – tanks, airplanes, weapons

The government took complete control of the economy – this is called a planned economy.

Stalin speaking to factory managers on the need to industrialize

Tsarist Russia suffered many defeats because of her backwardness. All thosecountries defeated her because she was weak. This is why we must no longer lag behind. Do we want our Motherland to be defeated and lose her independence? If you do not want this, you must put an end to backwardness in the shortest possibletime. We are 50 to 100 years behind the advanced countries. We must catch up in 10 ears or the will crush us.






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Methods Used to Achieve Industrialization

How did Stalin get enough labour?

− He made use of forced labour – prisoners in labour camps to do hard labour

Which other group of citizens did Stalin utilize to meet his industrialization targets? Howdid he try to attract this group of people into the work force?

− Women were encouraged to work to help achieve Stalin’s industrialization plans.Facilities such as crèches were provided in factories to encourage women in thework force

How did the Soviet government try to meet the industrialization targets?

− Through propaganda/ encouragement – Workers were encouraged follow rolemodels such as the miner Stakhanov

− Through rewards – medals, house, holiday at a discount, other benefits

As the labor force was uneducated, the government started a big campaign to teachRussian workers new skills. New colleges, schools and universities were built. Primaryeducation was made compulsory. Thousands of teachers, scientists, and engineers weretrained. These teachers, scientists, engineers, factory managers, and skilled workers werepaid much higher wages than ordinary workers. These people, together with Sovietofficials, received extra benefits such as better housing and the right to buy scarce foods.

Other than positive reinforcement, the government also used punishments to pressureworkers to meet targets. The Soviet government imposed fines for lateness and badworkmanship. Workers who were absent for more than a day were sacked. Secret police

encouraged workers to inform on one another. Anyone blamed for obstructing work couldbe sent to labor camps or shot.

A Russian newspaper article about Stakhanov

Alexi Stakhanov, a coal miner, is a hero of the Soviet Union because on the night of 30-31 August 1935, he shifted 102 tons of coal – almost 15 times the normal amount for a single shift. He will be rewarded with a medal, a new house, and other benefits.Workers, follow Stakhanov’s example.

Prisoners in a labor camp building a canal






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Outcomes of Five Year Plans:

F I R S T F I V E Y E A R

P L A N :

T A R G E T S A N D

A C H I E V E M E N T

S

Item 1927(Actual)

1932/3(Target)

1932/3(Actual)

National Income (milliard roubles) 24.4 49.7 45.5

Coal (million tons) 35.4 75.0 64.3

Oil (million tons) 11.7 22.0 21.4

Pig Iron (million tons) 3.3 10.0 6.2

Steel (million tons) 4.0 10.4 5.9

Total Employed Labour Force (millions) 11.3 15.8 22.8

S E C O N D

F I V E Y E A R

P L A N : T A R G E T S

A N D

A C H I E V E M E N T S Item 1933

(Actual)1937/8(Target)

1937/8(Actual)

Coal (million tons) 64.3 152.5 128

Oil (million tons) 21.4 46.8 28.5

Pig Iron (million tons) 6.2 16.0 14.5

Steel (million tons) 5.9 17.0 17.5

What were the results of Stalin’s Five Year Plans?

− Targets were not met

− However, industrial output did increase – in fact, by 1940 the USSR was theworld’s 2nd largest industrial power

What do you think might happen to Soviet officials whose factories failed to meet targets?

− They would be severely punished or demoted

How did Soviet officials deal with it?

− They pushed workers very hard to meet the targets?

−They falsified production figures to avoid being punished

The targets thus became a numbers game. What might be compromised in the process of trying to meet the numbers? Why would these be compromised?

− Quality was compromised because (1) workers rushed to meet targets and didnot bother about quality of the products made and (2) workers were not trained andthus lacked the skills needed for industrialization

− Welfare of workers was compromised because factory managers needed to meettargets and would threaten and force workers to work long hours with little rest

Stalin’s industrialization program also resulted in new industrial centers being established.

Huge towns and industrial centers were built from scratch deep inside the USSR wherethey could be safe from invasion. Another result was that urban population increased.Between 1929 and 1939, the population of cities rose by 29 million.






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Impact of Industrialization on Soviet citizens:

One impact of industrialization was that new elites emerge. Stalin needed experts in someareas of his industrialization programs. Hence teachers, scientists, engineers, factorymanagers, and skilled workers were paid much higher wages than ordinary workers.These people, together with Soviet officials, received extra benefits such as better housing

and the right to buy scarce foods. They thus enjoyed a higher standard of living, contraryto communist principles

Year Rules for Workers

1929 All factory workers had to work 7 days a week

October 1930 Workers were not allowed to move around the factories during workinghours

December 1930 Factories would not hire people who left their previous jobs withoutpermission

January 1931 Workers would be sent to prison if they broke any rules in the factories

March 1931 All factories were to keep notes on a worker’s job record August 1932 Workers who stole from factories would be sentenced to death

November 1932 Workers could be dismissed if they missed a single day of work

December 1932 Workers had to make a passport for any travel within the Soviet Union

Why were there corpses at the worksite?

− Because workers were worked too hard

How did industrialization affect workers?

− Workers suffered from the pressure of meeting targets

− Workers lived in fear that they might make mistakes or fail to meet targets

− Workers suffered from lack of freedom

There were some improvements in education and health for the workers and their families. All workers’ children received free primary education and free healthcare schemes wereextended to cover most of the workforce. It proved impossible to build enough houses for the millions of peasants who flooded into the cities. Most families had to live inovercrowded and rundown buildings. Due to emphasis on heavy industries, industries thatproduced basic goods were neglected. There was a great shortage of consumer goods,including clothes and shoes. The Russians suffered in the bitterly cold winters becausethey could not buy suitable clothing and their houses were poorly heated. Basic goods hadto be rationed. Shortage of basic goods led to high prices and this worsened their sufferingbecause their wages actually fell by 50% between 1928 and 1933. Crime, alcoholism and juvenile delinquency, increased.

However, after 1935, the situation began to improve. Rationing ended in 1936 asproduction increased and more goods became available. Workers received cheap mealsand free uniforms. Free education, subsidized health care and provision of leisure facilitiessuch as cinemas, public parks, sports fields, and gymnasiums, helped to improve lives.

An eyewitness account of conditions during the building of the Belomor Canal

At the end of the day, there were corpses left on the worksite. Two were frozen back to back leaning against each other. At night Soviet officials came to collect and dispose the corpses.






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3. Propaganda

Cult of Stalin

Stalin created the ‘cult of Stalin’ in which Stalin was worshipped as a leader. Pictures andstatues of him were everywhere and places were named after him. The ‘Stalin State Prize’

and the ‘Stalin Peace Prize’ were named in his honour. People at meetings had to clapwhen his name was mentioned. He was given titles such as ‘Father of Nations, ‘Gardener of Human Happiness’, ‘Brilliant Genius of Humanity’, and ‘Great Architect of Communism’.His name was even included in the new Soviet national anthem. Since religion posed athreat to the cult of Stalin, Stalin continued his attack on religions. Christian leaders wereimprisoned and churches closed down. Mosques and schools were closed andpilgrimages to Mecca were banned.

Culture and Censorship

Writers, artists, film makers, and even composers had to support the communistgovernment by following the policy of ‘Social Realism’. This meant that their work had togive simple, optimistic messages to show that communism was developing. Books whichdid not follow what the communist party believed in were changed or destroyed. Historywas rewritten to glorify Stalin’s part in the October 1917 revolution. Photographs werefaked to show Stalin next to Lenin. Images of Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev, and Bukharin(his political rivals) were eventually removed.

Education

Children were taught that Stalin was the ‘Great Leader’. Stalin chose the subjects and the

information that children should learn. They learnt Stalin’s version of history. Historylessons were changed to show how Stalin played a key and heroic role during the October 1917 revolution. Other leaders such as Trotsky were presented as incompetent or ignoredtotally. There was very strict discipline in schools. Teachers were closely watched toensure they teach positive things about Stalin. However, on a more positive note, he didensure that by 1939 the majority of Soviet people could read.





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4. State of Terror

Purges

Who did historians believe arrange for the murder of Kirov?

− Stalin

Why was Kirov arranged to be killed?

− He was asked to stand as a candidate for the post of Secretary-General and thiscaused Stalin to see him as a potential rival who must be eliminated

Stalin used Kirov’s death as an excuse to launch an attack against his opponents. Heaccused them of murdering Kirov and planning to assassinate him. Some of thosearrested were Kamenev and Zinoviev. The secret police were given a quota i.e. they hadto arrest a minimum number of ‘enemies of the people’. Those arrested were forced tosign confessions to implicate others. 1 million lower-ranking Party officials were expelledand were either shot or sent to labour camps. Later, even ordinary Russians were purged.Millions of Russians – scientists, military men, teachers, writers, workers – were also

arrested and either shot or sent to labour camps. People were encouraged to inform ontheir fellow workers, neighbours, and family members. There was much fear and suspicion. As no evidence was needed for an arrest, anyone who had a grudge could get rid of another person by reporting him to the secret police. Hence ordinary citizens lived in fear.

How did the purges benefit Stalin?

− Those who opposed him were removed and thus there was no threat to his power

− There would be no more people who dared to oppose Stalin

Show Trials

Some political rivals such as Kamenev and Zinoviev were put on show trials during whichthey confessed to all the charges against them. After their confessions, they wereexecuted.

A historian’s account of Kirov’s murder

Before 1934, Stalin dealt with opponents by expelling them from the Communist Party or sending them into exile. In 1934, a group of Bolsheviks approached Sergei Kirov, head of the Communist Party in Leningrad, to stand as an alternativecandidate for the post of Secretary-General – the post held by Stalin. Kirov told Stalinabout it. On 1 December 1934, Kirov was murdered.

2013 unit 2.2 part 1 stalin.pdf

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