‘Stalin’s power during the 1930s was based almost entirely on terror.’ How far would you agree with this view?

Joseph Stalin was a revolutionary and Soviet politician. He ruled the Soviet Union from 1920 to 1953. He formalized the idea of the Leninist interpretation of Marxism and made his own policies known as Stalinism.

Great Terror

The incident of Great terror was a campaign that was totally political in nature. It was led by Joseph Stalin to terminate unwanted Communist Party members who may create a threat. The Great Purge took place between about 1936 and 1938. Many people were executed during the period. Other people were forced into labor and the incident created a severe terror situation in the U.S.S.R.

Reason

• After the death of Vladimir Lenin, his followers started opposing Stalin’s authority. He considered them a threat to his leadership.
• Some of the historians indicated Stalin’s leadership as responsible for the incident.
• The emergence of Nazi power in Germany and the turmoil in Japan.

Stalin managed to take control of both the party and the public under his rule. He ruled as a dictator of the U.S.S.R until his demise in March 1953.

Comment

The cruelty of Stalin’s dictatorship fractured the spirit of the people. The state became the main fulcrum of the people. Some experts believe the barbaric feature of his reign helped the Soviet Union to have a great shape.