Transcript IB History II HL StalinCult

HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND
INFLUENCE PEOPLE
STALIN AND THE CULT OF PERSONALITY
How popular was Stalin and
his policies?
» Support for Stalin was manufactured
» Or was it?
OPPRESSION
» The hardships of industrialisation, the
Terror and the Purges could mean
only one thing…
PROPAGANDA
» CONSENT WAS MANUFACTURED
» Or was it?
A TWO-WAY THING
» The regime mobilise support from
above but…
» Also responded to public opinion
CULT OF PERSONALITY
» The development of a cult of personality
indicated that propaganda was being used
as a tool by the leadership rather than
serving the needs of socialism.
TWO CULTS NOT ONE!
» LENIN: Hailed as hero of the
revolution after his death
» Images appeared everywhere newspapers, statues,films
» Why?
IMITATION
» Lenin used to motivate the
population to follow his commitment
to the revolution.
» EMBALMING OF LENIN
CONTINUITY?
» Stalin used the cult and protrayed
himself as Lenin’s worthy successor.
SECOND CULT
» ‘Stalin is the Lenin of Today.’
» Portayed as the saviour of socialism
against capitalist elements ready to
undermine the revolution.
VOZHD (the boss)
» Propaganda highlighted Stalin as a
man of the people ( but responsible
for the achievements of the Soviet
Union)
Stalin the Worker
Stalin the Peasant
Stalin the Leader
Advantages
» Focus of loyalty
» Made use of traditional Russian
attitudes