Banishment

1. Banishment Stalin succeeded in banishing Trotsky from the USSR in 1929. Trotsky ended up in Mexico and was not allowed to return to the USSR. Though he was across the world Stalin still viewed Trotsky as a threat to his power. Later Trotsky was found murdered in his Mexican Villa with an axe in his head. This murder was committed by the NKVD (Narodnyi Komissariat Vnutrennikh Del), the precursor of the KGB

3. Joseph Stalin Stalin believed in the same ideals of Communism as Marx and Lenin, however Stalin was corrupted by power. Stalin gave himself excessive power and lived in luxury, however the peopled lived in poverty. Conditions were worse than they were before the revolution.

4. Joseph Stalin Because of Stalin’s quest for power the USSR’s reputation and power in the world grew. Though the USSR’s power was growing outside of the country, inside conditions remained stagnant.

5. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. What do you think this quote means?

6. Stalin vs. Trotsky continued… Even after Trotsky was banished, and killed, Stalin would illicit (get) confessions from citizens who claimed to be loyal and support Trotsky. These confessions were often false, but a way for Stalin to rule by fear. Stalin would use these false confessions to systematically assassinate his enemies.

7. The Lower Class Even after the revolution a sort of class system existed in the USSR. The lower class was supportive of the revolution and of communism. The lower class was uneducated and easily persuaded.

8. Middle Class The middle class was opposed to the revolution. Though not as rich as the Czar that made good money and lived a comfortable life.

9. Kulaks The Kulaks were land owning peasants. They were opposed to the revolution and to communism. Why do you think they would be opposed to communism? The Kulaks tried unsuccessfully to revolt against the communists. What animal could represent the Kulaks?

10. Media In the USSR there was no radio or television allowed. Instead people received their news through the newspaper which was controlled by the government. Later radio and television were allowed, but the government still controlled what people would hear about.

11. Religion When Marx first thought of communism he believed that since everyone was equal there would be no need for religion. Marx believed religions role was to establish morals and the equality of communism would replace these morals for the better. When Stalin took control of the USSR he banned organized religion.

12. Propaganda A specific type of message intended to influence the behavior or actions of people. Much more influential than advertising. Since the government controlled what news the people of the USSR received propaganda was very successful in influencing the citizens to follow Stalin.

13. Why do you think Stalin would ban religion?

14. The KGB The KGB was a group of secret police controlled by the government. They would keep files on citizens they thought were against the government. They would jail, hurt or even kill citizens who they deemed dangerous to the USSR. The KGB was used as a way to intimidate the people of the USSR.