Stalinism was a totalitarian government regime led by Josef Stalin , leader of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), between 1924 and 1953. Stalinism definition
Stalin, who was General Secretary of the Communist Party, takes control and power of the Soviet Union after the death of Vladimir Lenin, former leader of the country, and the defeat of his political opponent Leon Trotsky, who was exiled from the USSR.
Stalinism was based on the doctrine of “socialism in one country”. Among Stalin’s main objectives was the development of industrial power in the Soviet Union, transforming it into an imperialist military power capable of standing up to the United States.
During the Stalinist regime, millions of people were arrested, exiled and killed as part of Stalin’s political plan.
The socialist ideals, initially defended by Stalin, were lost as the government centralized in its hands all the powers.
Stalin was extremely strict against any kind of thinking contrary to his ideologies. This position caused the dictatorial aspect to be fixed in the Stalinist regime, contrasting with the libertarian and egalitarian ideas that socialism defended.
As a rule, the term Stalinism was used by opponents of Stalin’s regime. Those who supported the dictator claimed to follow the doctrine of Marxism-Leninism . Stalinism definition
Stalin was seen by many Soviets as a “god”, this because there was a great cult of the dictator’s personality during Stalinism, the result of intense state and nationalist propaganda.
Characteristics of Stalinism
Stalinism was marked by several particular characteristics, which marked this period under the command of one of the most severe dictators of the 20th century. Stalinism definition
- Dictatorship led by a single political party;
- religious persecution;
- Mandatory “Marxist-Leninist atheism”;
- Repression of ideological and political opponents;
- Worship and adoration of the figure of Josef Stalin;
- Massive media censorship;
- Mandatory collectivization of agricultural and industrial productions;
- Militarization of society;
- Elimination of any form of opposition to Stalinism;
- Elimination of NEP (New Economic Policy);
- Creation of five-year plans (targets for the Russian economy for the next five years). Stalinism definition
