To what extent was a new Soviet society created in the USSR in the years
between 1917 and 1941? (25 marks)
Intro
Many apparent changes to place socially and culturally under Lenin and Stalin. Although there were so new
opportunities offered and cultural change that created change only took place when it was beneficial to the
communist’s position of power. Society when through period of period of change and period of reaction an
ultimately a new society was not created as change was only moulded around the power of the communist
party
Point 1 - The were boarder opportunities for all different members of society
that completely transformed society
-Free education and increase in literacy
-women in work, opportunity for divorces and abortions
Point 2 - Culturally there was major transformation in arts ordinary
workers lives
-Proletarianisation with Stakhanovite movement and rewards and opportunities for good workers.
-New buildings and factories created that highlighted soviet industrial strength and power, created a new
society around the idea the USSR as this industrial superpower of workers.
Point 3 - Key beliefs of people and institutions still remained in place
-The power of religions could never be completely destroyed, even after many changes to religion people
still maintained their beliefs
-Not much change in position of workers and peasant in society
-women still expected to stay and home and look after family on top of working now
Point 4 - Change may have occurred early in Bolshevik take over but any
change that took place was soon reversed
-Lenin promised hope to national minorities and but this was lost under Stalin who encourages repression
and used deportations
-Reverse of policies on divorce and contraception
-Reversal of education polices
-Early worker freedoms were lost and labour discipline was tightened
-Early hope for artistic freedom lost as it was all about promoting the ‘new socialist man’
Point 5 - Lenin and Stalin relied heavily on the tactics used by previous
leader, and didn’t change society but maintained their own positions in
power
-Worker lives and position in society didn’t change – were still overworked and living in poor harsh
conditions. -Stalin used propaganda to present himself and Lenin as God-like figures similar to the way tsars
had been seen previously
-Peasants had their grain confiscated & were restricted heavily, many saw it as the second serfdom.
-Use of secret police and repression and use of the army to maintain position.
Conclusion
Any changes that took place only did so because they were beneficial to the continuation of soviet control
and power. Any change that had the possibility to harm their position of power was repressed or revered.
Although they offered an early hope for change that was quickly lost as the communist party’s focused
shifted from changing the system in 1917 to maintaining what kept them in power soon afterwards. They
between 1917 and 1941? (25 marks)
Intro
Many apparent changes to place socially and culturally under Lenin and Stalin. Although there were so new
opportunities offered and cultural change that created change only took place when it was beneficial to the
communist’s position of power. Society when through period of period of change and period of reaction an
ultimately a new society was not created as change was only moulded around the power of the communist
party
Point 1 - The were boarder opportunities for all different members of society
that completely transformed society
-Free education and increase in literacy
-women in work, opportunity for divorces and abortions
Point 2 - Culturally there was major transformation in arts ordinary
workers lives
-Proletarianisation with Stakhanovite movement and rewards and opportunities for good workers.
-New buildings and factories created that highlighted soviet industrial strength and power, created a new
society around the idea the USSR as this industrial superpower of workers.
Point 3 - Key beliefs of people and institutions still remained in place
-The power of religions could never be completely destroyed, even after many changes to religion people
still maintained their beliefs
-Not much change in position of workers and peasant in society
-women still expected to stay and home and look after family on top of working now
Point 4 - Change may have occurred early in Bolshevik take over but any
change that took place was soon reversed
-Lenin promised hope to national minorities and but this was lost under Stalin who encourages repression
and used deportations
-Reverse of policies on divorce and contraception
-Reversal of education polices
-Early worker freedoms were lost and labour discipline was tightened
-Early hope for artistic freedom lost as it was all about promoting the ‘new socialist man’
Point 5 - Lenin and Stalin relied heavily on the tactics used by previous
leader, and didn’t change society but maintained their own positions in
power
-Worker lives and position in society didn’t change – were still overworked and living in poor harsh
conditions. -Stalin used propaganda to present himself and Lenin as God-like figures similar to the way tsars
had been seen previously
-Peasants had their grain confiscated & were restricted heavily, many saw it as the second serfdom.
-Use of secret police and repression and use of the army to maintain position.
Conclusion
Any changes that took place only did so because they were beneficial to the continuation of soviet control
and power. Any change that had the possibility to harm their position of power was repressed or revered.
Although they offered an early hope for change that was quickly lost as the communist party’s focused
shifted from changing the system in 1917 to maintaining what kept them in power soon afterwards. They
