Stalinism in the USSR: Totalitarian Rule and Economic Control

Stalinism in the USSR (1924-1953)

Stalinism defined a totalitarian government system in the Soviet Union from 1924 to 1953, with Joseph Stalin as its paramount political leader.

Key Characteristics of Stalinism

Stalin's Absolute Political Power

• Gained control of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) as Secretary General.
• Served as the head of the government.
• Approved the Constitution of 1936, which established rights and universal suffrage.
• Maintained the CPSU as the sole political party.
• Utilized propaganda and repression to enforce his dictatorship.
• Aimed to spread communism across Europe through the Comintern.

State Control of the Economy

• Land and factories became state property.
• Stalin introduced the Five-Year Plans, which included:
  • Collectivization of land: Expropriation of property by force and mandatory collective cultivation.
  • Industrialization: Nationalization of existing industries and investment in heavy industry, such as iron and steel.
  • Infrastructure Development: Construction of hydraulic works to boost electricity production.

Social Equality and Differences

While Stalin aimed to establish social equality, significant disparities existed between the political elite and the general population.

Causes of World War II

1. Protectionist Policies: During the Great Depression, protectionist measures forced countries to seek new markets, leading to expansionist foreign policies.
2. Expansionist Policies: Germany, Italy, and Japan pursued aggressive territorial expansion.
3. Treaty of Versailles: Germany sought to dismantle the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
4. Appeasement: British and French policies of appeasement towards Germany and Italy emboldened aggression.
5. Failure of the League of Nations: The League's inability to enforce treaties or impose decisions led to its ineffectiveness.
6. Invasions in the 1930s:
   • Japan invaded Manchuria (China).
   • Italy invaded Abyssinia (Africa).
   • Germany invaded the Rhineland, Austria, and Czechoslovakia.
7. Nazi-Soviet Pact (August 23, 1939): Hitler and Stalin agreed not to attack each other and to invade and divide Poland.
8. Alliances: On August 25, 1939, Great Britain joined France and Poland in a mutual protection alliance.
9. Invasion of Poland (September 1, 1939): Germany invaded Poland, prompting Great Britain and France to declare war two days later.