Soviet Union Under Stalin

Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili Born on December 18, 1878 in Gori, Tiflis Governorate (Georgia) Stalin discovered the writings of Lenin and decided to become a Marxist revolutionary, joining the Bolsheviks in 1903. Stalin was captured and exiled to Siberia seven times. Adopted the name "Stalin" from the Russian word for steel.

Command Economy The Soviet Union developed a command economy under Stalin.   In a command economy, government officials made all basic economic decisions. The government owned all businesses and distributed all resources.

Collectivization in Agriculture Stalin brought agriculture under governmental control. He wanted all peasants to farm on either state owned or on collectives farms. The government wanted farmers to produce more grain to feed workers in the city. This also helped to sell grain abroad to earn more money.

Collectivization in Agriculture Collectives Collectivization in Agriculture Stalin thought that small farms farmed by peasants were inefficient and a threat to state power.  Government provided tractors, fertilizers, and better seeds. Peasants learned modern farming methods and they were allowed to keep their houses and personal belongings. All of the animals and implements were turned to a collective.  The state set all of the prices and controlled access to farm supplies. 

Kulaks Some did not want to give up land or sell crops at the State's prices Stalin believed the Kulaks, or wealthy farmers, were behind a resistance. Resistance was done by burning their crops, killing their animals and destroying their tools. 

De-Kulakization In 1929, Stalin liquidated the Kulaks as a class. He did this by confiscating their land, sending them to labor camps where thousands were killed or died from being overworked.   This made the peasants angry, so they grew just enough crops for themselves.

De-Kulakization In response, the government seized all the grain to meet industrial goals leaving the peasants to starve. Between that policy and the poor harvest of 1932, there was a bad famine named "Terror Famine". In the Ukraine, 5 to 8 million people died.

Gulags Stalin used terror as a weapon against his own people by violating their rights, opening private letters, planting listening devices, having no free press, and no safe way of protesting.  Grumblers or critics of Stalin were rounded up and sent to the Gulag, a system of brutal labor camps where many people died.

                  The Great Purge 1934-Stalin and his secret police cracked down on old Bolsheviks or activists from the early days of the Revolution. Widened to military, industrial managers, writers, then to ordinary citizens. Charges varied from counterrevolutionary plots to not meeting production quotas. “Show” trials put on for the public

Result's of the Purge Increased Stalin's power over all Soviet Citizens. Russia was purged of experts in industry, economics, and engineering. Military lost many of its leaders and half of its officers. This would hinder them during World War II.

                   Socialist Realism Stalin required artists and writers to create their works in a style called Socialist Realism.  Its goal was to show Soviet life in a positive way and to promote hope in the communist future. Rage, Tyrants!

Benefits of Stalin   The party required all children to attend free Communist built schools.  The State provided medical care and daycare for children. Inexpensive housing and public recreation.

Women Under Stalin Under Communism women won equality under law, they gained access to education and a wider range of jobs. By the late 1930 many Soviet women were working in the medical and engineering field. Their wages were needed to survive because both men and women earned the same low salaries.