Question of the Day

1. Question of the Day • After a Revolution why would might it be good to have a dictator take control?

2. Objectives • explain how Stalin gained control of the Communist Party • describe Stalin’s goal of transforming the Soviet Union into a Totalitarian State • summarize Stalin’s state-controlled economic programs • explain the methods of control used in totalitarian States.

3. Why is it important? • After Lenin died Stalin seized power and transformed the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state. Many dictators have used Stalin’s tactics for seizing total control over individuals and the State.

4. Stalin’s Totalitarian State

5. Totalitarianism • Describes a government that takes total control over every aspect of public and private life.

6. Industrial Policies • Command Economy • Five Year Plan • Set high goals quotas for steel, coal, oil and electricity. • Government limited consumer goods. • Government controlled every aspect of the worker’s life. • His methods produced results.

7. Agricultural Policies • Government seized land. • Created collective farms • Peasants resisted. • Between 5 and 10 million peasants died • 1938- 90% of peasants lived on farms

8. Control Methods • Used terror and violence to force obedience and to crush opposition. • 1934- Great Purge.

9. Propaganda Methods • Instruction in the govt’s beliefs to mold peoples lives. • Spread propaganda that was incomplete or bias. • Socialist realism

10. Art/Religion • Soviet writers, composers, and other artist also fell victims to censorship. • Stalin could not tolerate creativity. • Gov’t controlled newspapers, motion pictures, radio, and other sources of info. • Replaced religious teaching with ideals of communism.

11. Education • Government controlled all education. • University and technical schools were key to a better life. • High demand for skilled workers.

12. Do now • Please answer questions 14-16 on page 410.