Stalinist
Russia
The Five Year Plans
In Today’s Class
In this lesson, we will examine the Stalinist State.
● We will explain the terms: totalitarianism,
propaganda, censorship, cult of the leader.
● Identify the main characteristics of a totalitarian
state.
● Examine how Stalin used propaganda to make his
position stronger.
The Totalitarian State
Stalin created a
totalitarian state. This
meant that the state
controlled all aspects
of the people’s lives.
(Total Control)
Propaganda
● Stalin also used propaganda by using
achievements of ordinary Russians to boast
about the success of Communism.
● By doing this, he gained credit for himself
and portrayed himself as a great leader.
● An example of this is Alexey Stakhanov. He
is reported to have mined a record 227
tonnes of coal in a single shift.
Stalinist Propaganda
Cult of the Leader
● Stalin’s followers created a cult around him.
● History was rewritten to make Stalin a hero
of the Revolution and the Civil War.
● There were photographs and slogans
praising Stalin everywhere.
● Cities and streets were named after him.
Songs and poems were written to excite
people. He was treated like a god.
Cult of the Leader - Stalin, Hitler, Kim
Secret Police
● The NKVD was the Soviet
Secret Police.
● The NKVD were very
successful at eliminating
dissent (people speaking
out).
● They would spy on people,
and brutally arrest them.
Terror
● Through his Purges and Show Trials,
Stalin instilled fear into the Russian people.
● People were too afraid to oppose Stalin and
speak out against him.
● If they did, not only would they be sent to a
Gulag, their whole family, and even their
neighbours would be sent too.
Communist Party Growth
● Stalin grew the party
from 1.3 million in 1928
to 3.3 million members in
1933.
● It was also more a party
of the intelligentsia and
less of a party for the
workers as it was
supposed to be.
Censorship
The Communist Party
controlled the radio and the
press and prevented any
negative opinions about Stalin
or Communism being heard.
This is called censorship.
In Conclusion
Stalin created a Totalitarian State by a number
of combined methods.
1. Propaganda, censorship, and cult of the
leader influence what people thought.
2. Terror and the Secret Police to instill fear.
3. A strong political party that always supported
him.
Homework
● Write an A4 page on the characteristics of
the Stalinist State.
● In your answer, explain why and how efforts
were made to promote Stalin as a hero and
strong leader.
● Mention at least 4 of the characteristics we
discussed today.