Stalin’s use of terror was the most important reasons for his success in establishing
dominance over the USSR 1934-1941 – Assess the validity of this View.
PLAN:
Intro: Stalin’s use of terror was key in helping him to establish dominance over the
USSR from 1934 to 1941 because once Stalin extended this terror into the party, he
was able to remove his personal opposition and through the NKVD, Stalin also had a
large hold on society. Terror isn’t, however, the only reason why Stalin was
successful in establishing dominance over the USSR. He also used the cult of
personality, forced collectivisation, and his influences over culture to help him
dominate every aspect of life in the USSR.
Agree (Terror = most important) Disagree (Other factors)
Removed all opposition from the 1920s Cult of Personality:
Talk about the three show trials here - Stalin dominated daily life
- 1936 – Kamenev, Zinoviev and - Propaganda made him look like a
some of their supporters hero of the nation with the five
- 1937 – 17 or Trotsky’s supporters year plans etc.
(Army and NKVD also purged)
- 1938 – Bukharin and some of his
former supporters
Kirov’s Murder (Was it Stalin? Most Forced collectivisation
likely) - Allowed Stalin to have more control
- At the 17th party congress, Kirov over the peasants and farmers by forcing
won more votes than Stalin – this them into Sovkhozes.
threatened his position in the
Soviet Union
- Soon Kirov was murdered – this
removed the most prominent form
of opposition to Stalin at the time,
thus solidifying his power.
NKVD: Culture:
- Russian Secret police Stalin also had a large influence over
- Stalin appointed its leaders culture in the USSR. In 1934 he formed
(Yagoda, Yezhov and Beria) the Soviet Union of Writers. Writers were
- Had control over the civilian to stick within specific guidelines in their
police, border and security guards works and this included promoting the
and even had an influence in the ideal socialist man, pro-socialism, and
labour camps and Gulags. never saying anything negative towards
Stalin or the state.
Conclusion: Stalin’s dominance over the USSR between 1934 and 1934 is primarily
due to his use of terror, including show trials and the NKVD. This being said, Stalin
was still able to secure a fairly dominant role over the USSR through the impacts of
his Cult of Personality, his use of forced collectivisation and his influences over
culture.
dominance over the USSR 1934-1941 – Assess the validity of this View.
PLAN:
Intro: Stalin’s use of terror was key in helping him to establish dominance over the
USSR from 1934 to 1941 because once Stalin extended this terror into the party, he
was able to remove his personal opposition and through the NKVD, Stalin also had a
large hold on society. Terror isn’t, however, the only reason why Stalin was
successful in establishing dominance over the USSR. He also used the cult of
personality, forced collectivisation, and his influences over culture to help him
dominate every aspect of life in the USSR.
Agree (Terror = most important) Disagree (Other factors)
Removed all opposition from the 1920s Cult of Personality:
Talk about the three show trials here - Stalin dominated daily life
- 1936 – Kamenev, Zinoviev and - Propaganda made him look like a
some of their supporters hero of the nation with the five
- 1937 – 17 or Trotsky’s supporters year plans etc.
(Army and NKVD also purged)
- 1938 – Bukharin and some of his
former supporters
Kirov’s Murder (Was it Stalin? Most Forced collectivisation
likely) - Allowed Stalin to have more control
- At the 17th party congress, Kirov over the peasants and farmers by forcing
won more votes than Stalin – this them into Sovkhozes.
threatened his position in the
Soviet Union
- Soon Kirov was murdered – this
removed the most prominent form
of opposition to Stalin at the time,
thus solidifying his power.
NKVD: Culture:
- Russian Secret police Stalin also had a large influence over
- Stalin appointed its leaders culture in the USSR. In 1934 he formed
(Yagoda, Yezhov and Beria) the Soviet Union of Writers. Writers were
- Had control over the civilian to stick within specific guidelines in their
police, border and security guards works and this included promoting the
and even had an influence in the ideal socialist man, pro-socialism, and
labour camps and Gulags. never saying anything negative towards
Stalin or the state.
Conclusion: Stalin’s dominance over the USSR between 1934 and 1934 is primarily
due to his use of terror, including show trials and the NKVD. This being said, Stalin
was still able to secure a fairly dominant role over the USSR through the impacts of
his Cult of Personality, his use of forced collectivisation and his influences over
culture.
