personality cult

Question 1

what was the cult of personality? (3)

Answer 1

-Stalin wanted to be praised and adored
-through the use or art and popular culture
-to improve his status as the leader and to inspire loyalty

Question 2

when did the cult of personality exist?

Answer 2

-developed in the 1920s and existed throughout his time as leader of the USSR

Question 3

state 4 reasons why Stalin wanted to have a cult of personality?

Answer 3

1. increase Stalin’s legitimacy and authority as Lenin’s true successor
2. unify the USSR around loyalty to one leader
   3.raised Stalin’s status above other members of the Party
   4.to project the failures of rapid industrialisation and collectivisation on other party members

Question 4

how was Stalins image portrayed in the cult?

Answer 4

-‘father figure’ man of the people
-economic expert
-great thinker and true successor to Lenin
-‘hero’ who saved the USSR from the Nazis

Question 5

how was the cult created?

Answer 5

-Posters, paintings, photographs and films created a myth of Stalin as a hero
-Towns, streets and buildings were named after him. There were statues of him in most places
-rewriting of history (1917)
-given titles e.g ‘Brilliant Genius of Humanity’.

Question 6

what was the art form called which was around during the cult of personality?

Answer 6

socialist realism

Question 7

what play was censored?

Answer 7

Lady Mcbeth

Question 8

give some examples of socialist realism

Answer 8

-‘cement’
-1928’s ‘And Quiet Flows the Don’

Question 9

what music/dance was introduced/banned during socialist realism?

Answer 9

-jazz music banned
-folk music and dance encouraged
-ballet encouraged
-music in major key

Question 10

what did Stalin wear to show authority in WW2?

Answer 10

white uniform

Question 11

who was he pictured with to show he was the man of the people?

Answer 11

Engleshia Cheskova

Question 12

what truth was there to the cult of personality in WW2?

Answer 12

planned economics and inspired patriotism