The Soviet Union and Stalin

1. 13.4 Notes The Soviet Union and Stalin

2. Standard and Objective • 10.7.3 Analyze the rise of totalitarian regimes… • To understand the Soviet Union under Stalin

3. I. A Totalitarian State • Joseph Stalin took over after Lenin’s death • Turned Soviet Union into totalitarian state • Command Economy- government control on economy • 5 year plans- programs to build heavy industry, improve transportation, increase farming

4. I. A Totalitarian State cont. • Despite developing industry, people’s general standard of living remained low • Managers produced lots of low quality goods to meet quotas • Collective- a state owned farm, operated by groups of peasants • Kulaks-wealthy farmers • Did not want to give up their own land • Stalin killed and sent them to labor camps • Led to “Terror Famine” 5-8 mil died

5. II. Stalin’s Terror Tactics • Stalin used secret police, torture and purges (mass killings) to edh,/ljnsure obedience • Gulag- system of brutal labor camps • The Great Purge-1934 secret police cracked down on rival party • Many of the most talented people also died

6. III. Communist Attempts to Control Thought • Stalin made a “cult of personality” around himself using propaganda • Censorship in the Arts • Stalin required a style called “socialist realism” to show Soviets life as positive • Faced persecution if they refused • War on religion- also tried to make people atheists, for loyalty only to state

7. IV. Soviet Society under Stalin • New elite were communist party members • Some benefits of communism • Free schools • Free medical care for children • Equality for women

8. V. Soviet Foreign Policy • Comintern- communists international pursued world-wide revolution • Also wanted recognition/ trade with western powers