The Soviet Union: Totalitarian State

The Soviet Union: Totalitarian State

Under Lenin

• Communist Party was the only party allowed.

• The use of force and terror through the secret police (Cheka) was necessary and good for the cause

• Used propaganda slogans, including “Bread, Land, Peace and All Power to the Soviets.”

Lenin’s Death

• Died in January 1924.

Lenin’s Death

• Lenin believed Leon Trotsky should replace him as leader. Had a vision of the Soviet Union in line with Lenin.

• Lenin believed that Stalin could not handle the power that came with leadership.

• Stalin takes control, has Trotsky killed.

Joseph Stalin

• As General Secretary of the Communist Party, Stalin was able to consolidate his power by exerting total control over the details of party structure –

• Stalin appeared to provide a sense of security and direction for the future

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Joseph Stalin

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Soviet Mentality

• The people accepted difficulties and sacrificing – Czars and communists had controlled people through force, fear

• Promises of prosperity and something great coming soon were believed

Soviet Mentality

• Brutality of the state was for their own protection

• Checka, then NKVD, terrorized people – they were genuinely afraid

• “Politicals” - Enemies of the people who were arrested for alleged spying, disloyalty, etc. Received worse punishments then common criminals

• Gulags

Gulags

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Gulags

Gulags

Gulags

Gulags

Gulags

The Great Terror 1937-38

• Arrests - about 7 million

• Executed - about 1 million

• Died in camps - about 2 million

• In prison, late 1938 - about 1 million

• In camps, late 1938 - about 8 million

• Only 10% in camps survived

The Great Terror 1937-38

• Those arrested include original Bolsheviks, military officers, party members

• Stalin’s signature appears on death warrants of over 600,0000

• History is re-written

Four... Three...

Two... One...

Changing History

Changing History

Full Circle...

• Stalin dies in 1953• “All of us around

Stalin were temporary”

• “Destalinization” of the USSR under Kruschev

Full Circle...

Thought Questions

• Why didn’t the people of the Soviet Union rise up?

• What do you think you could do to stay safe?

• Who was probably most at risk?