Global Studies II

Unit II Russia

Name Julia Stoberl

Date 11/7/14

Totalitarianism under Stalin

1. Define the term totalitarianism A government that takes total control of every aspect of public
and private life.

2. While reading the excerpt, create a list of methods of control used by Soviet leaders and examples

Methods
Police Terror- use terror and violence to make
the people follow their laws and rules.

Indoctrination- Instruction in the governments

beliefs.

Propaganda and Censorship- Biased or

incomplete information used to sway people to
accept certain beliefs or actions.

Examples
They enforce the governments policies by
spying on citizens or in some cases use brutal
force such as murder to achieve their goals.

They mold peoples minds by controlling the

education system to encourage children about
the governments beliefs and ideas.

Citizens need permission on everything that is

put out from the government such as
publications, art, film, or music etc. They are
also surrounded by false information given out
by the government to believe is true and if they
dont believe its true they could be sent into
prison or even killed.

Of all the methods of control, which allows the MOST long-term control?
Indoctrination allows a long term control because it controls and molds peoples minds. Usually you
cant undo damage to the human brain.
3. Stalins methods of control.
a. What was the Great Purge? How would Stalins use of this action increase his power?
The Great Purge was a campaign of terror that Salin leaded which eliminated anyone who threatened
his power. This increased his power because no one would be able to argue about his ideas or beliefs. He
could do what he want without anyone getting in the way.

b. What was Pravda? How did Stalin explain the purpose of art in the USSR?
Pravada was a newspaper Stalin controlled to explain the purpose of art. He basically said that art should
only show positive figures and people working hard in our country.

c. What is an atheism? How did Stalin use atheism to influence his control over his citizens?
Atheism is the act of not believing in any religion. Stalin used atheism as a guide by telling the people
that all of their religious beliefs were superstitions.

4. Stalins control over the economy.

a. What is a command economy? A system in which the government makes all economic
decisions.
b. Stalins Five Year Plans
1. Purpose The development of the Soviet Unions economy. It set high goals for the
economy. It aimed to increase the output of steel, coal, oil, and electricity. It also would limit the
production of consumer goods.

2. Results?
They were impressive results even though the plan fell short. Coal and steel production increased a lot
while this plan was running.

c. What methods did Stalin use to bring agriculture under state control?
He made large government controlled farms called collective farms.The government used modern
machinery at the time to speed up production. This also reduced the amount of workers who worked on
the farms.

d. Kulaks - Who were they?

They were farmers who were against what the government modernizing the farmers and taking their
jobs.
1. How did they create a problem for Stalin?
They murdered officials and burned crops in protest.

2. How did he solve the problem?

It resulted in Stalin using violence by murdering a lot of the Kulaks. He also took control over all of their
crops and farm tools so they cant farm.