The Soviet Union: Totalitarian State

Under Lenin Communist Party was the only party allowed. The use of force and terror through the secret police (Cheka) was necessary and good for the cause Used propaganda slogans, including “Bread, Land, Peace and All Power to the Soviets.”

Communist Party was the only party allowed.

The use of force and terror through the secret police (Cheka) was necessary and good for the cause

Used propaganda slogans, including “Bread, Land, Peace and All Power to the Soviets.”

Lenin’s Death Died in January 1924.

Died in January 1924.

Lenin’s Death Lenin believed Leon Trotsky should replace him as leader. Had a vision of the Soviet Union in line with Lenin. Lenin believed that Stalin could not handle the power that came with leadership. Stalin takes control, has Trotsky killed.

Lenin believed Leon Trotsky should replace him as leader. Had a vision of the Soviet Union in line with Lenin.

Lenin believed that Stalin could not handle the power that came with leadership.

Stalin takes control, has Trotsky killed.

Joseph Stalin As General Secretary of the Communist Party, Stalin was able to consolidate his power by exerting total control over the details of party structure – Stalin appeared to provide a sense of security and direction for the future

As General Secretary of the Communist Party, Stalin was able to consolidate his power by exerting total control over the details of party structure –

Stalin appeared to provide a sense of security and direction for the future

Joseph Stalin

Soviet Mentality The people accepted difficulties and sacrificing – Czars and communists had controlled people through force, fear Promises of prosperity and something great coming soon were believed

The people accepted difficulties and sacrificing – Czars and communists had controlled people through force, fear

Promises of prosperity and something great coming soon were believed

Soviet Mentality Brutality of the state was for their own protection Checka, then NKVD, terrorized people – they were genuinely afraid “ Politicals” - Enemies of the people who were arrested for alleged spying, disloyalty, etc. Received worse punishments then common criminals Gulags

Brutality of the state was for their own protection

Checka, then NKVD, terrorized people – they were genuinely afraid

“ Politicals” - Enemies of the people who were arrested for alleged spying, disloyalty, etc. Received worse punishments then common criminals

Gulags

Gulags

Gulags

Gulags

Gulags

Gulags

Gulags

The Great Terror 1937-38 Arrests - about 7 million Executed - about 1 million Died in camps - about 2 million In prison, late 1938 - about 1 million In camps, late 1938 - about 8 million Only 10% in camps survived

Arrests - about 7 million

Executed - about 1 million

Died in camps - about 2 million

In prison, late 1938 - about 1 million

In camps, late 1938 - about 8 million

Only 10% in camps survived

The Great Terror 1937-38 Those arrested include original Bolsheviks, military officers, party members Stalin’s signature appears on death warrants of over 600,0000 History is re-written

Those arrested include original Bolsheviks, military officers, party members

Stalin’s signature appears on death warrants of over 600,0000

History is re-written

Changing History Four... Three... Two... One...

Changing History

Full Circle... Stalin dies in 1953 “ All of us around Stalin were temporary” “ Destalinization” of the USSR under Kruschev

Stalin dies in 1953

“ All of us around Stalin were temporary”

“ Destalinization” of the USSR under Kruschev

Full Circle...

Thought Questions Why didn’t the people of the Soviet Union rise up? What do you think you could do to stay safe? Who was probably most at risk?

Why didn’t the people of the Soviet Union rise up?

What do you think you could do to stay safe?

Who was probably most at risk?