Joseph Stalin was the dictator of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) from 1929 to 1953. Under Stalin, the Soviet Union was transformed from a peasant society into an industrial and military superpower. However, he ruled by terror, and millions of his own citizens died during his brutal reign. Born into poverty, Stalin became involved in revolutionary politics, as well as criminal activities, as a young man. After Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924) died, Stalin outmaneuvered his rivals for control of the party. Once in power, he collectivized farming and had potential enemies executed or sent to forced labor camps. Stalin aligned with the United States and Britain in World War II (1939-1945) but afterward engaged in an increasingly tense relationship with the West known as the Cold War (1946-1991).
Life under stalin
How did Stalin deal with his opposition: Stalin dealt with his opposition by sending them to a siberian work/death camp or just sending someone to kill them. It is believed stalin killed up to 13 million people during his great purge.
What was education like in the Soviet Union: Education was strictly controlled by the state. In 1932, a rigid programme of discipline and education was introduced. Exams, banned under Lenin, were reintroduced. The way subjects were taught was laid down by the government - especially History where Stalin's part in the 1917 Revolution and his relationship with Lenin was overplayed. Books were strictly censored by the state and Stalin ordered the writing of a new book called "A short history of the USSR" which had to be used in schools.
What was women's role in the Communist Soviet Union: For a short time under Lenin, women had enjoyed a much freer status in that life for them was a lot more liberal. Divorce was made a lot more easy under Lenin. Stalin changed all this. He put the emphasis on the family. Many children had been born out of marriage and Moscow by 1930 was awash with a very high number of homeless children who had no family and, as such, were a stain on the perfect communist society that Stalin was trying to create.
What was education like in the Soviet Union: Education was strictly controlled by the state. In 1932, a rigid programme of discipline and education was introduced. Exams, banned under Lenin, were reintroduced. The way subjects were taught was laid down by the government - especially History where Stalin's part in the 1917 Revolution and his relationship with Lenin was overplayed. Books were strictly censored by the state and Stalin ordered the writing of a new book called "A short history of the USSR" which had to be used in schools.
What was women's role in the Communist Soviet Union: For a short time under Lenin, women had enjoyed a much freer status in that life for them was a lot more liberal. Divorce was made a lot more easy under Lenin. Stalin changed all this. He put the emphasis on the family. Many children had been born out of marriage and Moscow by 1930 was awash with a very high number of homeless children who had no family and, as such, were a stain on the perfect communist society that Stalin was trying to create.
MISCELLANEOUS
What was the name of Stalin's "secret police"?: People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs, or NKVD.
What was Stalin's Great Purge, and where were people sent during the Purge?: The Great purge was when stalin eliminated anyone who opposed him or was a threat to him by sending them to work camps in siberia.
What was Stalin's Five Year Plan?: Stalin's five year plan was a plan to industrialize the Soviet Union
What were the three most evil acts that you believed Stalin committed?: The Most Evil act committed by stalin was the over 20 million people killed by his hand.
What was Stalin's Great Purge, and where were people sent during the Purge?: The Great purge was when stalin eliminated anyone who opposed him or was a threat to him by sending them to work camps in siberia.
What was Stalin's Five Year Plan?: Stalin's five year plan was a plan to industrialize the Soviet Union
What were the three most evil acts that you believed Stalin committed?: The Most Evil act committed by stalin was the over 20 million people killed by his hand.