Origins of World War II The Rise of Militarism: Stalin & The Soviets

The Formation of the USSR Formed from Russia and surrounding states in 1922 Formed from Russia and surrounding states in 1922 Vladimir Lenin: Vladimir Lenin: The first leader of the USSR The first leader of the USSR Leader of the Bolshevik Revolution Leader of the Bolshevik Revolution In poor health and died in 1924 In poor health and died in 1924 Led to a fight for powerLed to a fight for power

Background Stalin-means “Man of Steel” Stalin-means “Man of Steel” Known bank robber Known bank robber Arrested and exiled several times Arrested and exiled several times Ordered killings of many Tsarist advisors Ordered killings of many Tsarist advisors Created Secret Police force to follow and remove enemies Created Secret Police force to follow and remove enemies

Emergence of Stalin Joseph Stalin vs. Leon Trotsky Joseph Stalin vs. Leon Trotsky Stalin wins the power struggleStalin wins the power struggle Organized a totalitarian state with the government in complete control Organized a totalitarian state with the government in complete control Ruled the Soviet Union brutality with an iron fistRuled the Soviet Union brutality with an iron fist

Cult of Personality = use media to create a heroic public image – almost God-like = use media to create a heroic public image – almost God-like Towns and cities renamed Towns and cities renamed Re-wrote history to make himself more important Re-wrote history to make himself more important Put his name in national anthem Put his name in national anthem Built many statues of himself Built many statues of himself “Great Architect of Human Happiness” “Great Architect of Human Happiness”

Stalin’s Policies Government took control of private farms and reorganized them into state-run farms Government took control of private farms and reorganized them into state-run farms Confiscated grains causing a famine from Confiscated grains causing a famine from million died of starvation6-8 million died of starvation Opposition to these programs would lead to imprisonment in labor camps called “Gulags” Opposition to these programs would lead to imprisonment in labor camps called “Gulags”

Stalin’s Policies Being sent to Gulags – death sentence - 5 million die Being sent to Gulags – death sentence - 5 million die Purges – 700,000 to 2 million enemies executed Purges – 700,000 to 2 million enemies executed Erased them from history Erased them from history Deportations – est. 3.5 million from 1941 to 1949 Deportations – est. 3.5 million from 1941 to 1949

Stalin’s Policies Through famine, execution, and forced labor some 30 – 60 million people died due to Stalin’s policies Through famine, execution, and forced labor some 30 – 60 million people died due to Stalin’s policies