After reading the two pages of material, answer the following questions.
1. Does the fact that images of Stalin appeared everywhere, as described by Steinbeck in Source 14.8, prove that Stalin attracted genuine adulation?
I think there were people who were genuinely brainwashed into thinking Stalin was a god, and having his pictures all over reinforced that idea.
2. Describe the various devices used to establish and spread the cult of Stalin.
First he tried to appear as a modest disciple of Lenin. Then as the cult got under way, there were more pictures of Lenin and Stalin, but Stalin would not usually appear in portraits by himself. Then during the First Five Year Plan, his portrait would appear more frequently and the History of the All-Union Communist party is published. His image becomes more all-powerful. At the height of the cult his image was everywhere and he was portrayed as a demi-god.
3. Account for the relative success of the cult - why do you think it worked with the Russian people?
The Russian people were used to having a Tsar to idolize, so Stalin was not much different. Also, many people felt grateful to him for giving them a better life and for industrialization. I think it also worked because children were forced into basically worshiping him.
4. What conclusions can you reach about whether the adulation Stalin received was genuine? Make notes of your answers.
Some of the adulation Stalin received was genuine. Many people actually adored him, as source 14.11 shows. Litvinov believed Stalin could perform a brain surgery if he wanted to. He believed STalin was almost super-human. However other people did not truly adore Stalin
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Purges, Terror and Show Trials
After reading the two pages of material, answer the following questions.
1.What is the significance of Kirov's murder? (This is what I went over in class.)
His murder gave Stalin an excuse to execute all of his political enemies. Kirov's murder was the beggining of the Great Purges.
2. According to Stalin, who had Nikolayev been working for when he assassinated Kirov? Why is this significant?
The Leningrad Opposition Center which had connections with the Old Left opposition. This gave Stalin a reason to arrest Zinoviev and Kamenev and give them long prison sentences.
3. What is a Trotskyite?
Someone who supposedly supports Trotsky. People would accuse each other of being "trotskyites," and you could be arrested by the NKVD
4. There are three major "show trials." List them and a brief description of their significance.
The "trial of the sixteen" included Zinoviev and Kamenev, and were found to be involved with a conspiracy to overthrow the governement. In the "trial of the seventeen" they were accused of having connections with Trotsky. In the "trial of 21" Bukharin and Rykov were killed. The trials are significant because it was Stalin's excuse to kill the remaining opposition.
5. During the Great Terror, there were three stages to the purges, staring with members of the Communist party. What were the next two stages and what type of people were purged?
The next two stages were the purges of the military, and the civilians. All of the admirals were purged and 3/5 Red Army Marshals. Many citizens were also purged, anyone who was accused as being a "Trotskyite" could be purged. Someone could be purged if they did not denounce enough people.
1.What is the significance of Kirov's murder? (This is what I went over in class.)
His murder gave Stalin an excuse to execute all of his political enemies. Kirov's murder was the beggining of the Great Purges.
2. According to Stalin, who had Nikolayev been working for when he assassinated Kirov? Why is this significant?
The Leningrad Opposition Center which had connections with the Old Left opposition. This gave Stalin a reason to arrest Zinoviev and Kamenev and give them long prison sentences.
3. What is a Trotskyite?
Someone who supposedly supports Trotsky. People would accuse each other of being "trotskyites," and you could be arrested by the NKVD
4. There are three major "show trials." List them and a brief description of their significance.
The "trial of the sixteen" included Zinoviev and Kamenev, and were found to be involved with a conspiracy to overthrow the governement. In the "trial of the seventeen" they were accused of having connections with Trotsky. In the "trial of 21" Bukharin and Rykov were killed. The trials are significant because it was Stalin's excuse to kill the remaining opposition.
5. During the Great Terror, there were three stages to the purges, staring with members of the Communist party. What were the next two stages and what type of people were purged?
The next two stages were the purges of the military, and the civilians. All of the admirals were purged and 3/5 Red Army Marshals. Many citizens were also purged, anyone who was accused as being a "Trotskyite" could be purged. Someone could be purged if they did not denounce enough people.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Kirov Murder Mystery
Examine the two pages of evidence in the Kirov Murder Mystery reading. After reviewing the evidence, make your own judgments by answer the following questions.
1. In what circumstances ti the assassin carry out the murder?
Kirov was on his way to his office when Nikolayev stepped out from a corridor and shot him.
2. What strange coincidences surround the murder?
Kirov's bodyguard was not with him at the time of the murder. The guards were not in the hall (they usually were)
3. Is there any evidence to link Stalin to the murder?
Kirov got more votes than STalin at the 17th party congress. He also opposed Stalin on a number of issues. Maybe Stalin wanted revenge.
4. Is there any evidence to suggest that the NKVD was involved in the murder?
Nikolayev told Stalin that he should ask the NKVD why he killed Kirov. An important witness, Borisov died in an "accident" right before the trial.
5. Who had the best motive for the murder?
I think the NKVD was most likely the culprits because Kirov opposed the purges, and Nikolayev implied it was the NKVD. But the assassination must have been approved by STalin first.
6. What theories can you suggest about who was responsible - was it the assassin alone or were others involved?
I think STalin wanted Kirov dead, and the NKVD were more than happy to oblige (because Kirov wanted to limit their power) and they just used Nikolayev as their pawn
1. In what circumstances ti the assassin carry out the murder?
Kirov was on his way to his office when Nikolayev stepped out from a corridor and shot him.
2. What strange coincidences surround the murder?
Kirov's bodyguard was not with him at the time of the murder. The guards were not in the hall (they usually were)
3. Is there any evidence to link Stalin to the murder?
Kirov got more votes than STalin at the 17th party congress. He also opposed Stalin on a number of issues. Maybe Stalin wanted revenge.
4. Is there any evidence to suggest that the NKVD was involved in the murder?
Nikolayev told Stalin that he should ask the NKVD why he killed Kirov. An important witness, Borisov died in an "accident" right before the trial.
5. Who had the best motive for the murder?
I think the NKVD was most likely the culprits because Kirov opposed the purges, and Nikolayev implied it was the NKVD. But the assassination must have been approved by STalin first.
6. What theories can you suggest about who was responsible - was it the assassin alone or were others involved?
I think STalin wanted Kirov dead, and the NKVD were more than happy to oblige (because Kirov wanted to limit their power) and they just used Nikolayev as their pawn
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Gulags and the Purges
Gulags and the Purges
The Gulag System
1. What type of construction projects were built using the Gulag system?
The Belamor Canal, and other huge construction projects when there weren't enough normal workers. They also used slave labor to work in conditions no sane person would work in, like the Kolyma goldfields.
2. What were the conditions of the work camps?
Terrible conditions, especially at the ones in Kolyma. The workers only ate bread and thin soup. The zeks also had to work 12 hour days with only two meals.
3. Why do you think slave labor was used in the projects rather than paid laborers?
It was less expensive.
Purges, Show Trails and Terror
4. What were the issues surrounding Kirov's murder? Why do you think he had been murdered?
His murderer was stopped the day before by the police with a revolver and plans to murder Kirov, but he was let go. Kirov's body guard was nowhere to be seen when he was killed. I think Kirov was killed because Stalin percieved him as a threat.
5. What was the Great Purge? What specific group did it target?
Members of the party who were in some way unreliable.
6. What was the purpose of the Show Trials?
The show trials were held to show to the public that anyone who opposed Stalin was evil. All of Stalin's former enemies were convicted, and made to confess to crimes they did not commit. They were probabley made to do this to ruin their reputations.
7. What was the Great Terror?
It was bascially when the purges went completely out-of-control. People in the armed forces were denounced as anti-stalin or Trotskyist, and also normal citiezens. Some people were arrested for not denouncing others. This created a state of constant fear.
The Gulag System
1. What type of construction projects were built using the Gulag system?
The Belamor Canal, and other huge construction projects when there weren't enough normal workers. They also used slave labor to work in conditions no sane person would work in, like the Kolyma goldfields.
2. What were the conditions of the work camps?
Terrible conditions, especially at the ones in Kolyma. The workers only ate bread and thin soup. The zeks also had to work 12 hour days with only two meals.
3. Why do you think slave labor was used in the projects rather than paid laborers?
It was less expensive.
Purges, Show Trails and Terror
4. What were the issues surrounding Kirov's murder? Why do you think he had been murdered?
His murderer was stopped the day before by the police with a revolver and plans to murder Kirov, but he was let go. Kirov's body guard was nowhere to be seen when he was killed. I think Kirov was killed because Stalin percieved him as a threat.
5. What was the Great Purge? What specific group did it target?
Members of the party who were in some way unreliable.
6. What was the purpose of the Show Trials?
The show trials were held to show to the public that anyone who opposed Stalin was evil. All of Stalin's former enemies were convicted, and made to confess to crimes they did not commit. They were probabley made to do this to ruin their reputations.
7. What was the Great Terror?
It was bascially when the purges went completely out-of-control. People in the armed forces were denounced as anti-stalin or Trotskyist, and also normal citiezens. Some people were arrested for not denouncing others. This created a state of constant fear.
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