Use of fear
Use of propaganda
Control over the economy
Which was most effective? Explain your answer. [13]
Introduction:
Once Stalin gained control of the leadership, he began to introduce various ways to control the Soviet people. To him, this was necessary in order to transform the USSR the way he wanted.
Main Body:
One of the ways which Stalin maintained his control over Russia was through terror. An example would be purges. This would ensure the removal of anyone who opposed him. This also applied to any rival who could be a threat to his position. For instance, when Kirov became more and more prominent in the party, he was assassinated. Thereafter, Stalin began to launch an attack on his opponents in the Communist Party. Thousands of party members were arrested and would be sent to labour camps. Some would be publicly denounced during show trials. In addition, the secret police was very active in spying on the people. Anyone caught or suspected of uttering anti-government or anti-Stalin statements would be arrested and sent to labour camps. Anyone opposing the will of the state would also be deported to the labour camps, as shown by the farmers who resisted collectivisation. All these soon created an atmosphere of fear, which made absolute obedience and loyalty to Stalin the only way to survive.
Another method of control was over culture, mainly in the areas of education and arts. This was done with the aim of controlling the perception the people would have towards Stalin and his government. This was most effective with regard to brainwashing the young people. The teaching of history focused on the roles of Lenin and Stalin. The existence of Stalin's opponents was either downplayed or totally erased. Both students and teachers were closely monitored in order to ensure total compliance in the teaching and learning of such content. Teachers would be purged if they taught otherwise. As for the arts, only positive images of Stalin and his programmes could be portrayed by the artists and writers. The cult of Stalin's personality also prevailed everywhere in the USSR. This was done by placing pictures and erecting statues of Stalin all over the country. The image of him was always portrayed positively such as being fatherly, cheerful, popular and intellectual. All these were aimed at influencing the people to worship him and thus, support him.
The third method relates to the economy. Through collectivisation and Five-Year Plans, most of the Russians were dependent on the state for their jobs and livelihood. This was reinforced with the imposition of strict rules in the collective farms and factories. Targets were set and harsh punishments were meted out to anyone who resisted these rules. With control over their livelihood, most Russians had no choice but to do as they were told.
Sunday 24 April 2011
The following were three reasons for Stalin's victory in the leadership contest:
His position as Secretary-General
His percieved closeness to Lenin
Weaknesses of his rivals
Which was most decisive? Explain your answer. [13]
Introduction:
In 1924, Lenin died, leaving the communist party seeking a new leader. For the next couple of years, there was a power struggle to be the next leader of the USSR, which was eventually won by Stalin.
Main Body:
Firstly, as Secretary-General of the Communist Party, Stalin had the power to give out many jobs in the Communist Party. This gave the opportunity to Stalin to distribute the important posts to those whom he trusted and those who supported him. As the Secretary-General, he was even able to suppress unfavouable information, such as Lenin's notes to recommend Stalin's removal as Secret-General. As Secretary-General, he also managed to build up his power base within the Communist Party, as he was situated in Moscow most of the time.
Another reason that explained Stalin's victory in the leadership contest was his perceived closeness to Lenin. During Lenin's funeral, he was the chief mourner. This gave him the opportunity to demonstrate how close he was to Lenin. On many occasions, he doctored photos and pictures to portray himself as working closely with Lenin. For instance, there were paintings showing him supporting Lenin during the October Revolution, even though he was actually not involved at all. All these actions convinced many party members that Stalin should be Lenin's successor.
The weaknesses of Stalin's rivals also contributed to Stalin's victory. Trotsky's background was a burden to him, as he was not a Bolshevik originally, a fact that was fully exploited by Stalin. Trotsky's absence from Lenin's funeral created a negative image of him, who was perceived as arrogant and disrespectful. His main power base was the Red Army and the youths, which did not allow him to build up his support in the Communist Party, which made all the key decisions in the USSR. As such, it was not difficult for Stalin to oust him from the leadership contest. As for Zinoviev and Kaminev, they underestimated Stalin and failed to see how ruthless Stalin could be. Thus, they could never really challenge Stalin in the leadership contest. By the 1930s, both of them were purged. With all rivals removed, Stalin became the undisputed leader of the party.
His percieved closeness to Lenin
Weaknesses of his rivals
Which was most decisive? Explain your answer. [13]
Introduction:
In 1924, Lenin died, leaving the communist party seeking a new leader. For the next couple of years, there was a power struggle to be the next leader of the USSR, which was eventually won by Stalin.
Main Body:
Firstly, as Secretary-General of the Communist Party, Stalin had the power to give out many jobs in the Communist Party. This gave the opportunity to Stalin to distribute the important posts to those whom he trusted and those who supported him. As the Secretary-General, he was even able to suppress unfavouable information, such as Lenin's notes to recommend Stalin's removal as Secret-General. As Secretary-General, he also managed to build up his power base within the Communist Party, as he was situated in Moscow most of the time.
Another reason that explained Stalin's victory in the leadership contest was his perceived closeness to Lenin. During Lenin's funeral, he was the chief mourner. This gave him the opportunity to demonstrate how close he was to Lenin. On many occasions, he doctored photos and pictures to portray himself as working closely with Lenin. For instance, there were paintings showing him supporting Lenin during the October Revolution, even though he was actually not involved at all. All these actions convinced many party members that Stalin should be Lenin's successor.
The weaknesses of Stalin's rivals also contributed to Stalin's victory. Trotsky's background was a burden to him, as he was not a Bolshevik originally, a fact that was fully exploited by Stalin. Trotsky's absence from Lenin's funeral created a negative image of him, who was perceived as arrogant and disrespectful. His main power base was the Red Army and the youths, which did not allow him to build up his support in the Communist Party, which made all the key decisions in the USSR. As such, it was not difficult for Stalin to oust him from the leadership contest. As for Zinoviev and Kaminev, they underestimated Stalin and failed to see how ruthless Stalin could be. Thus, they could never really challenge Stalin in the leadership contest. By the 1930s, both of them were purged. With all rivals removed, Stalin became the undisputed leader of the party.
Sunday 3 April 2011
The following were three methods of control that the Nazi Party used to control the Germans:
(i) Manipulating the law
(ii) Use of propaganda
(iii) Use of violence and intimidation
Which of the methods was most effective? Explain your answer. [13]
One of the methods was the manipulation of the legal system. Through this method, it became justified and legitimate to take action against anyone in Germany. For example, the Enabling Act allowed Hitler to make laws without the need to seek approval from the Reichstag. This effectively wiped out all opposition. With the Enabling Act, he made all opposition illegal, including trade unions. Another example that demonstrated Nazi manipulation of the law as a method of control was the introduction of anti-Jewish laws. This limited Jewish presence in German society as they could not work in the government or even appeared in certain public places. All these laws encouraged discrimination against the Jews.
The second method was the use of propaganda. In schools, children were brainwashed with Nazi ideas at a very young age. Subjects were adjusted to support Nazi ideas regarding history, geography and biology. Students were expected to join youth organisations set up by the Nazis, who would instill Nazi values in them. All these resulted in future generations of Germans who would remain loyal to the Nazis. These youths were so influenced by Nazi ideas that they would obey the Nazis willingly. This was most obvious when many of them willingly participated in the ill-treatment of the Jews. For the general public, Nazi messages were constantly sent to the people through posters and radios. Censorship was very thorough in order to ensure the people would only be influenced by pro-Nazi messages. Such propaganda tactics were quite successful, as seen in the subsequent willingness of many Germans to fight for Hitler in the Second World War.
Violence and intimidation was also used as a method of control, especially in dealing with any opposition. The secret police, known as Gestapo, was created to arrest people who were expressing any sort of dissent. Informers were planted in all aspects of society to monitor the people's loyalty. These created an environment where nobody would dare to express dissent openly. Even dissent within the Nazi Party was forbidden, as the Night of the Long Knives had proven, as the more independent-minded SA was destroyed by the SS. For those Germans who were arrested, they would be sent to concentrated camps, where living conditions were purposely kept poor so that nobody was likely to survive. All these made Germans fearful of going against the Nazis in any way.
(ii) Use of propaganda
(iii) Use of violence and intimidation
Which of the methods was most effective? Explain your answer. [13]
One of the methods was the manipulation of the legal system. Through this method, it became justified and legitimate to take action against anyone in Germany. For example, the Enabling Act allowed Hitler to make laws without the need to seek approval from the Reichstag. This effectively wiped out all opposition. With the Enabling Act, he made all opposition illegal, including trade unions. Another example that demonstrated Nazi manipulation of the law as a method of control was the introduction of anti-Jewish laws. This limited Jewish presence in German society as they could not work in the government or even appeared in certain public places. All these laws encouraged discrimination against the Jews.
The second method was the use of propaganda. In schools, children were brainwashed with Nazi ideas at a very young age. Subjects were adjusted to support Nazi ideas regarding history, geography and biology. Students were expected to join youth organisations set up by the Nazis, who would instill Nazi values in them. All these resulted in future generations of Germans who would remain loyal to the Nazis. These youths were so influenced by Nazi ideas that they would obey the Nazis willingly. This was most obvious when many of them willingly participated in the ill-treatment of the Jews. For the general public, Nazi messages were constantly sent to the people through posters and radios. Censorship was very thorough in order to ensure the people would only be influenced by pro-Nazi messages. Such propaganda tactics were quite successful, as seen in the subsequent willingness of many Germans to fight for Hitler in the Second World War.
Violence and intimidation was also used as a method of control, especially in dealing with any opposition. The secret police, known as Gestapo, was created to arrest people who were expressing any sort of dissent. Informers were planted in all aspects of society to monitor the people's loyalty. These created an environment where nobody would dare to express dissent openly. Even dissent within the Nazi Party was forbidden, as the Night of the Long Knives had proven, as the more independent-minded SA was destroyed by the SS. For those Germans who were arrested, they would be sent to concentrated camps, where living conditions were purposely kept poor so that nobody was likely to survive. All these made Germans fearful of going against the Nazis in any way.
The following was 3 reasons for the rise of the Nazis in Germany:
Effects of the Great Depression
Weaknesses of the Weimar Republic
Nazi Propaganda
Which was most crucial? Explain your answer. [13]
One of the causes for the rise of the Nazism was the Great Depression. The Great Depression brought suffering to the German people. Many of them became unemployed and thus, resulted in poverty. In addition, it exposed the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic once again. This time, it was helpless in dealing with the economic crisis. The Germans lost all confidence in the Weimar Republic and started to search for anyone or any group who could help them. This became an opportunity for the Nazis to win more influence and gain their support, especially during elections.
Another cause for the rise of Nazism was the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic. The Republic never had much support from the beginning in 1919. By signing the humiliating Treaty of Versailles, the Republic was always regarded as the cause for Germany's surrender. Its unpopularity was already evident from the number of putsches that broke out in the early 1920s. In addition, the Republic did not perform well. In the space of 12 years, it had experienced a number of economic crises, such as the 1923-24 hyper-inflation and the Great Depression from 1929 onwards. All these caused sufferings to the Germans, who would naturally associate democracy with economic hardships. Therefore, when the Nazis began to promise the restoration of German pride and the alleviation from economic hardships, the Germans would naturally prefer the Nazis to be in power rather than maintaining the democratic system of the Weimar Republic.
The Nazi Party also played a part in their own rise. Its propaganda tactics were quite effective, as it captured the support of many Germans. Through posters and rallies, the Nazis came across as a group of people who knew how to restore Germany to greatness. In addition, they propagated much fear about the rise of communism, which prompted the wealthy industrialists and landowners to support the Nazis. They were also led by a very charismatic leader, Adolf Hitler, who was regarded as a saviour by many Germans. With excellent public-speaking skills, he was able to convince many Germans with promises to bring prosperity and greatness to Germany once again.
Weaknesses of the Weimar Republic
Nazi Propaganda
Which was most crucial? Explain your answer. [13]
One of the causes for the rise of the Nazism was the Great Depression. The Great Depression brought suffering to the German people. Many of them became unemployed and thus, resulted in poverty. In addition, it exposed the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic once again. This time, it was helpless in dealing with the economic crisis. The Germans lost all confidence in the Weimar Republic and started to search for anyone or any group who could help them. This became an opportunity for the Nazis to win more influence and gain their support, especially during elections.
Another cause for the rise of Nazism was the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic. The Republic never had much support from the beginning in 1919. By signing the humiliating Treaty of Versailles, the Republic was always regarded as the cause for Germany's surrender. Its unpopularity was already evident from the number of putsches that broke out in the early 1920s. In addition, the Republic did not perform well. In the space of 12 years, it had experienced a number of economic crises, such as the 1923-24 hyper-inflation and the Great Depression from 1929 onwards. All these caused sufferings to the Germans, who would naturally associate democracy with economic hardships. Therefore, when the Nazis began to promise the restoration of German pride and the alleviation from economic hardships, the Germans would naturally prefer the Nazis to be in power rather than maintaining the democratic system of the Weimar Republic.
The Nazi Party also played a part in their own rise. Its propaganda tactics were quite effective, as it captured the support of many Germans. Through posters and rallies, the Nazis came across as a group of people who knew how to restore Germany to greatness. In addition, they propagated much fear about the rise of communism, which prompted the wealthy industrialists and landowners to support the Nazis. They were also led by a very charismatic leader, Adolf Hitler, who was regarded as a saviour by many Germans. With excellent public-speaking skills, he was able to convince many Germans with promises to bring prosperity and greatness to Germany once again.
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