Stalinism, WWII, and the Decolonization Era

Stalin's Soviet Union (USSR)

Key Policies and Institutions

Socialism in One Country

Socialism in One Country was the Soviet state policy focused on strengthening socialism within the USSR, prioritizing national development rather than immediate global revolution.

Defining the Gulags

The Gulags were detention centers primarily for political prisoners, but their scope was much broader, encompassing:

• Farmer Kulaks (wealthy peasants)
• Common criminals
• Prisoners of the Civil War
• Dissidents in a broad sense

The Five-Year Plans

The purpose of Stalin's Five-Year Plans was to transform the Soviet Union into an industrialized country rapidly. This industrialization aimed to solidify the communist regime and enable the USSR to defend itself against potential attacks from capitalist countries.

Agricultural Sector Results

The agricultural sector was of vital importance for the region. It underwent a process of transition to a market economy, accompanied by substantial changes in the social, legal, and structural framework.

The End of World War II and Global Consequences

How WWII Ended

The Allies could turn all their attention to fighting in the Pacific theater. The war ended in stages:

• Europe: (Implied surrender of Germany, May 1945, allowing focus on Asia).
• Pacific: The war turned decisively in America's favor in June 1942, when the U.S. Navy defeated the Japanese at the Battle of Midway.

Post-War Consequences: New Superpowers

Two new superpowers emerged following the war:

1. The United States
2. The Soviet Union

Decolonization: Causes, Stages, and Impact

Three Primary Causes of Decolonization

• World War II (WWII): The colonies became combat zones and collaborated by sending soldiers and providing resources. The defeats suffered by European powers during the war significantly reduced their prestige.
• The Rise of Nationalism: Nationalistic ideas, fueled by liberalism and Marxism, spread throughout the colonies. These movements defended the right of the people to govern themselves and decide their own future.
• Charismatic Leaders: The elites of many colonized nations had studied in European universities and military academies. Upon returning to their countries, they formed political parties and took the lead in the independence process.

Stages of Decolonization

1. First Stage (Post-1945): Primarily colonies in Asia and the Middle East.
2. Second Stage (1956–1975): North African countries and especially Sub-Saharan Africa.
3. Third Stage: The Arabian Peninsula and islands of the West Indies.

Consequences of Decolonization

• Political: Frequent wars and conflicts.
• Economic (Neocolonialism): Newly independent nations often remained economically dependent on their former metropoles, leading to neocolonialism.
• Social: Low standards of living, hunger or malnutrition, health deficiencies, and illiteracy.

The Non-Aligned Movement

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was formed because these newly independent nations sought to avoid aligning with either of the two major superpowers (the US or the USSR) during the Cold War.