TOPIC 9 - The Soviet Union and Eastern Europe 1924-2000
Joseph Iosif Vissarionovich Stalin (1924 - 1953)
This section deals with the consolidation of the Soviet state from 1924 and the methods applied to ensure its survival, growth and expansion inside and outside the borders of the Soviet Union. The rise and nature of the rule of Stalin will be analyzed, particularly the following areas:
- His power struggle(s)
- The Collectivization and industrialization of Russia
- Five Year Plans
- Constitution of Soviet Russia
- Purges
- Cult of personality
- Impact on society
- Stalin's foreign relations to 1941
The Rise of Stalin
Despite his obscure and mediocre background in the Communist Party, between the years 1917 and 1922, Stalin quietly increased his power. The greatest moment for Stalin came when he was appointed General Secretary of the Communist Party in 1922. This appointment gave him almost unlimited administrative authority, to the point which even Lenin himself questioned the wisdom of his appointment. By Lenin's death in 1924, Stalin had already amassed a formidable range of post and power, enough to be considered for the leadership of Communist Russia.
Despite his obscure and mediocre background in the Communist Party, between the years 1917 and 1922, Stalin quietly increased his power. The greatest moment for Stalin came when he was appointed General Secretary of the Communist Party in 1922. This appointment gave him almost unlimited administrative authority, to the point which even Lenin himself questioned the wisdom of his appointment. By Lenin's death in 1924, Stalin had already amassed a formidable range of post and power, enough to be considered for the leadership of Communist Russia.
Task 1: Who Is The Best Candidate?
In order to understand how Stalin succeeded in becoming the leader of Communist Russia, it is essential to look at the various contender for the position of Communist Party leader shortly after Lenin's death. Furthermore, it is important to note the nature of leadership also played a determining role in the selection process of Russia's next leader. The Communist Party during this time was highly fearful of a "dictator" and favored a central government ruled by a committee. Known "Collective Leadership", the Communist Party members wanted to maintain a more socialist approach and attempted to avoid a singular leader that would cause a division within the different sections of the Communist Party.
Instructions
- Review the following embedded file (below) again. Note that this file contains more information that the previous one you have already seen!
- Read the following texts:
4. Once complete, title your file in the following manner: THE CONTENDERS Worksheet - <your name>.docx (or pages).
THE CONTENDERS Worksheet.docx Download File
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Task 2: How and Why Did Stalin Become Party Leader?
Instructions:
- Read the following text: Corin & Fiehn - 142-147.tif
- Fill in the following chart and spider-diagram (see below) from the document titled "Stalin - Rise to Power - Worksheet.docx" using ALL the information you have been provided with.
- Once complete, title your file in the following manner: Stalin - Rise to Power - Worksheet - <your name>.docx (or pages).
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Additional Material