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The Rise of the Soviet Union and Stalin. Characteristics of Totalitarianism: Dictatorship, One-Party Rule, Importance of State over Individual, state controls major aspects of life. Stalin Acquires Power. Lenin used NEP to rebuild economy
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Characteristics of Totalitarianism:Dictatorship, One-Party Rule, Importance of State over Individual, state controls major aspects of life
Stalin Acquires Power • Lenin used NEP to rebuild economy • 1924 – Lenin dies, leaving a power struggle btwn. Stalin and Trotsky • Stalin uses intimidation and threats to assume power • Trotsky exiled; 1940 – killed in Mexico • Stalin now w/out any real rivals
Stalin prior to WWII • Adopted a policy of forced industrialization • Five Year Plan (1928) • Goal to industrialize very quickly & make USSR a world power • Collectivization – nationalized farmland & forced peasants to work the land • Resistance met w/ forced starvation – Kulaks of Ukraine died by the millions • Enacted purges to remove and execute those who posed a threat • Red Army Leadership, Educated Elite, Jews • 1934 – USSR joined the League of Nations • Signed a Non-Aggression Pact w/ Hitler that was supposed to prevent invasion