Late Russia

Question 1

What was in Lenin’s Political Will/Testament?

Answer 1

• his views about who should lead the Communist Party
• he believed Stalin had too much power
• he thought someone should remove Stalin from his post
• he thought Stalin was incapable of using his power with enough caution
• he recommended Trotsky as the most capable man in the committee

Question 2

What was more effective - the Cult of the Personality or the Terror?

Answer 2

CULT OF THE PERSONALITY:

• Stalin was worshipped as a God-like figure (Cult of Stalin) everywhere, there were paintings, portraits and statues
• the state told people what to think e.g. censorship
• children were persuaded from a young age

TERROR:

• Stalin wasn’t prepared for challenges to his authority so he got rid of all of his opposition (Zinoviev, Kamenev)
• show trials
• labour camps

Question 3

How was agriculture organised before collectivisation?

Answer 3

• NEP was the policy used
• kulaks were richer peasants who owned land
• agriculture was backwards and undeveloped
• basic told and no machinery
• other labourers owned no land
• peasants could sell surplus produce

Question 4

Why did the peasants resist collectivisation?

Answer 4

• they wanted to remain independent
• they wanted to grow crops for themselves, not for the industry
• they didn’t like the idea of Stalin controlling them
• collectivisation was seen almost like serfdom
• they wanted to grow their traditional crops
• it was a fairly new idea

Question 5

Was misery the greatest effect of industrialisation on the Soviet people?

Answer 5

YES:

• workers faced harsh discipline, especially if they were absent, late or didn’t work hard enough
• living conditions were very poor in some areas
• the value of workers’ wages fell

NO:

• some workers were promoted if they worked well and received special rewards
• money was invested in training schemes and a new elite emerged
• unemployment as greatly reduced

Question 6

How did the 1936 Constitution benefit Stalin?

Answer 6

• it gave an illusion of democracy like the USA which Stalin was able to exploit
• most of the human rights mentioned were ignored and anyone who criticised Stalin was purged
• power lay with the Politburo and therefore Stalin
• the Supreme Soviet was elected by communist members but only lasted two weeks per year and handed its powers to the Praesidium, which was run by Stalin.

Question 7

Why did Stalin carry out the Purges?

Answer 7

• he couldn’t stand challenges to his authority
• he wanted to get rid of opposition such as Zinoviev and Kamenev, who were imprisoned and eventually shot
• he even purged the army (90% of generals killed) and the NKVD - loyal military
• he wanted to see who his loyal supporters were - people denounced their own relatives

Question 8

Were the Secret Police more effective in maintaining control over the people than propaganda?

Answer 8

YES:

• the NKVD provided the evidence for the trials of Kirov, Zinoviev and Kamenev (it was directly involved in the Purges)
• if people were suspected of disloyalty, they could be arrested, imprisoned and murdered by the Secret Police (people lived in fear)

NO:

• the Cult of the Personality was also very persuasive and good at controlling people
• children were taught from a young age to look up to Stalin
• the media was controlled by the State

Question 9

How did Stalin benefit from the Purges?

Answer 9

• he removed all of his opposition
• he wanted Soviet citizens to feel insecure so they wouldn’t challenge him
• his fear of Red Army generals leading a coup against him was crushed
• the Purges were a convenient way to excuse failures - they could be blamed on sabotage instead of the 5 Year Plans

Question 10

Was Stalin’s rule a disaster for the Soviet Union?

Answer 10

YES:

• living conditions did not improve
• many people were killed
• many brilliant thinkers and artists were killed
• he turned Russia into a totalitarian state for 30 years

NO:

• his policy saved the Russian army from defeat in WW2
• he industrialised Russia in only 30 years
• there were enormous advances in medicine and education
• he didn’t personally order the Purges (the NKVD got out of control)

Question 11

Did Soviet people benefit from Stalin’s economic plans?

Answer 11

YES:

• Stalin industrialised Russia in 30 years, and many people benefited from he improvement in heavy industry in the long run
• workers who did their jobs well were given promotions
• unemployment was reduced
• investment in training schemes meant that people became much more skilled

NO:

• discipline was extremely harsh
• there were still food shortages
• there were few consumer goods as industry was focused mainly on heavy industry
• the value of workers’ wages fell

Question 12

What were the main features of the Great Terror?

Answer 12

• show trials in 1937-1938
• trials of Zinoviev and Kamenev who were shot
• old Bolsheviks confessed to their crimes
• many people were arrested and executed for disloyalty to Stalin
• estimated 1 million were executed and another 2 million died in labour camps

Question 13

Why was Stalin able to defeat Trotsky to become leader in 1928?

Answer 13

• he had less extreme views
• Bolsheviks mistrusted Trotsky because he had been a Menshevik
• Bolsheviks mistrusted Trotsky because he was Jewish
• he tricked Trotsky into not coming to Lenin’s funeral
• he made a speech praising Lenin
• he had a powerful position (General Secretary)
• Trotsky was arrogant