Chapter 13: The Rise of Totalitarianism
Section 4: The Soviet Union Under Stalin
Characteristics of Totalitarianism
1. Dictatorship and one-party rule
Stalin moved his supporters into key government positions.
He was in total command of the communist party held absolute power as a dictator.
2. Dynamic Leadership
Stalin called for a command economy.
Government officials identified the country’s economic needs and determined how to fill them.
3. Ideology
Five Year Plan: to promote rapid industrial growth and strengthen national defense.
Stalin stated that Russia was 50-100 years behind the industrialized nations and must catch up in the next ten years or be crushed.
4. State control over all sectors of the society
Official chose workers and assigned jobs.
Working hours were set by the government.
People needed permission from the government to move to another region.
Workers who got lazy on the job were imprisoned.
School children learned the virtues of the communist party.
Phone lines were under constant monitoring and mail was read by government officials.
The government planted informers everywhere.
Millions of “traitors” were executed. During the “Great Purge”, Stalin eliminated anyone (8-13 million people) who threatened his power.
6. Dependence on modern technology
Radio was used to spread propaganda.
The government controlled movies, radio, and all other sources of information.
7. Organized violence
Stalin used tanks and armored cars to stop riots.
The secret police arrested and executed many people who were thought of as “dangerous” to Russia.
Critical Thinking:
1. Once Stalin was in power, how did he control the economy of Russia?
In 1928, he proposed the first of several “five-year plans” aimed at building heavy industry, improving transportation, and increasing farm output.
He brought all economic activity under government control. The government owned all businesses and distributed all resources.
2. What is the difference between command economy and the free market economy (capitalist system)?
In a command economy, government officials make all basic economic decisions.
But in a capitalist system, the free market determines most economic decisions. Privately owned businesses compete to win the consumer’s choice. This competition regulates the price and quality of goods.
3. What were the goals of Stalin’s Five Year Plan?
It set high production goals, especially for heavy industry and transportation.
Between 1928 and 1939, large factories, hydroelectric power stations, and huge industrial complexes rose across the Soviet Union. Oil, coal, and steel production grew. Mining expanded, and new railroads were built.
4. How were consumers affected by the Five Year Plan?
Central planning was often inefficient, causing shortages in some areas and surpluses in others.
Many managers, concerned only with meeting production quotas, turned out large quantities of low-quality goods. Consumer products such as clothing, cars, and refrigerators were scarce.
5. Describe Stalin’s Plan to increase agricultural output.
Stalin wanted all peasants to farm on collectives where the government would provide tractors, fertilizers, and better seed, and peasants would learn modern farm methods. Peasants would have to turn in all farm animals and tools over to the collectives.
The state set all prices and controlled access to farm supplies.
6. Did Stalin’s Plan to increase agricultural output work? Explain.
Some peasants did not want to give up their land and sell their crops at the state’s low prices. Stalin was furious. He believed that kulaks, or wealthy farmers, were behind the resistance. He responded by sending them to labor camps. Thousands were killed or died from overwork.
Angry peasants resisted by growing just enough to feed themselves. In response, the government seized all of their grain and left the peasants to starve. It caused five to eight million people to die of starvation.
Ultimately, the collectives did not improve farm output. Feeding the population would remain a major problem in the Soviet Union.
