Stalin’s personality and personal objectives

1. Stalin’s Personality and
Personal Objectives
Rylee Levine
Christopher Hallstrand
Elizabeth Lugones

2. Definition:
A cult of personality arises when an individual uses
mass media, propaganda, or other methods to
create an idealized, heroic, and at times worshipful
image, often through unquestioning flattery and
praise.

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“Thank you, dear Stalin, for our happy childhood!”

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5. Importance of the personality cult to Russia & the
role it played in the communist system
Association with Lenin:
● The Soviet press maintained that Stalin and Lenin were close companions, and
Stalin closely followed Lenin’s teachings and could continue the Bolshevik legacy.
● Stalin publicly defended Lenin’s infallibility, implying that his own leadership is
similarly faultless, since he is a “faithful follower” of Leninism.
● Before 1932, most Soviet propaganda featured Stalin and Lenin together;
eventually, the press merged the two figures as Stalin became the embodiment of
Lenin.
● Eventually, Stalin alone (instead of Lenin and Stalin) became the professed cause
of Soviet well-being.
● Stalin had a tendency to make himself seem superior to previous Russian leaders.
He had statues made of him approximating the height and build of Tsar Alexander
III, but in reality he was much smaller.

6. Importance of the personality cult to Russia & the
role it played in the communist system
Stalin as a father figure:
● Stalin was often seen engaging in publicized gift giving exchanges with Soviet
children. The phrase “Thank you dear comrade Stalin for a happy childhood”
appeared above doorways at nurseries, orphanages, and schools.
● This image of Stalin as a “father” was used by Soviet propagandists who
aimed to incorporate traditional religious symbols and language into the cult of
personality
● The title of father now belonged to Stalin instead of Russian orthodox priests.
● The cult of personality also adopted the Christian traditions of procession and
devotion to icons through Stalin parades and effigies.
● By doing this, the media was hoping to shift devotion away from the church
and towards Stalin, playing into the overall communist system of the time.

7. Importance of the personality cult to Russia & the
role it played in the communist system
Presence in the Politburo
Stalin’s cult of personality existed only among the Soviet masses. It was not
present among the members of the Politburo. Stalin’s low tolerance for dissent
within the Party made members/officials hesitant to express their opinions. He had
a tendency to kill and/or exile people.
Fear and self-censorship created an illusion of governmental support for Stalin,
which further persuaded others (Soviet masses) to follow suit.
This was important in a communist system, especially Stalin’s, as it limited the
number of rebelling/opposing forces.

8. Was Stalin loved, feared, rejected, revered?
A case could be made that Stalin was loved, feared, rejected, and revered.
However, focusing on the Russian people, they most likely feared him more than
loved him.
Because Stalin’s cult personality became such a prominent part of Soviet Russia,
there were many who loved Stalin as they were heavily influenced by the
propaganda. So, it's to be questioned whether they actually “loved” him.
The intense political correctness of the time required that Stalin be publicly
referred to as the faultless leader and inspirer of the nation. If they were to speak
out against him, the consequences would be severe.

9. Was Stalin loved, feared, rejected, revered?
It’s important to note that the ‘admiration’ that the people felt was not a
spontaneous response. It was in fact imposed from above (government).
The image of Stalin as a hero and saviour was manufactured, a product of the
Communist Party machine.
“Stalin did not rely on terror alone, but also on the support of the majority of
the people; effectively deceived by cunning propaganda, they gave Stalin
credit for the successes of others and even for ‘achievements’ that were in
fact totally fictitious.”

10. Was Stalin loved, feared, rejected, revered?
Stalin had a low tolerance for dissent within the party so members feared to
express their honest viewpoints on Stalin.
Because they feared the consequences of them speaking out, they kept their
mouths shut and became good little soldiers. Party leaders throughout the Soviet
Union emulated the dictator's usual outfit of green jacket, boots, and a cap to
prove their devotion.
This created an illusion to the people of an undisputed government support for
Stalin, so this only fueled the cult mentality.

11. Was Stalin loved, feared, rejected, revered?
The applause that greeted his every appearance in public or in cinema
newsreels was more likely to have been a matter of prudence than of real
affection.
There was no way opposition for Stalin could be voiced as the gulag was full
of comrades who had spoken out of turn.
Also, because of Stalin’s policies such cultivation which led to famine and the
use of terror (great purges) it seems more likely that the reason people
expressed their “love” for Stalin, was more out of fear than genuine
affection.

12. Example of Stalin’s Image in his Propaganda
● Picture of Engelsina Markizova with Joseph Stalin
● Engelsina was the daughter of the People’s
Commissar for Agriculture in the Buryat-Mongol
region.
● Her father was accused of being a Japanese spy, a
Trotskyite, and conspiring against Stalin.
○ Stalin had him tried and executed
● Nevertheless Stalin used this to promote his image

13. Other Examples
● Rewriting of Soviet history to give Stalin a more significant role in the
October Revolution in 1917, usually at the expense of Trotsky being
discredited. Other purged officials were also censored.
● His wisdom and brilliance was extolled and often exaggerated, and
constantly mentioned in the media.
● His Birthday became a calendar holiday.
● Children were taught Stalin was the provider of all good things, and
presented as a God figure
● Personification of everything great about the USSR
● Publicly humble but sometimes referred to himself in 3rd person.
Top: Nikolai Yezhov- Former Head of NKVD and
Commissar for Water Transportation censored
Bottom: Trotsky being removed from a photo
with Lenin.