Davison History Department
1. Secret Police (NKVD) – arrested and shot thousands of people. They prepared lists which Stalin approved. Crushed opposition.
2. Propaganda and censorship – people not allowed to think for themselves. Stalin controlled all media, art, music and education. Everything had to glorify Stalin and communism. Art had to be realistic and show the benefits of communism for peasants and workers – this was called Socialist realism.
3. Gulags (labour camps): in remote, harsh areas. Used as slave workers. Millions died from hunger, exhaustion and brutal treatment.
4. The purges: Created fear and terror. Millions arrested and shot for being “enemies” of the USSR. Began with the murder of Kirov in the 1934 followed by the Show Trials of the old Bolsehviks, then the army.
5. Informers: NKVD encouraged families, colleagues, friends and neighbours to tell tales. E.G. Pavlik Morozov informed on his father for hoarding grain. Created fear and suspicion.
6. The Cult of Personality: The most important propaganda message was that Stalin was the greatest genius ever to have lived and was like a hero and a god. Soviet people were taught that Stalin was all knowing and all powerful. His image was everywhere – in shop windows, on buildings, at work and in “the Red Corner” of people’s homes where they had busts of Lenin and Stalin. Writers and poets, novelists, song writers, film makers and poets all wrote about his marvellous achievements and celebrated every aspect of his life. “Supreme Genius of Humanity”, “Leader of genius” etc. In a set of 8 records made of a Stalin speech, the last one was just applause! Rivers, lakes, towns, canals, schools, hospitals, and mountains were all named after him. This was never balanced with a single word of criticism. People were brainwashed into believing in him as a fatherly figure who always put Russia first. The achievements of the 5 year plans were massively exaggerated. There was also lots of propaganda about his close relationship with Lenin and being Lenin’s successor so people did not criticise him. The first Cult of Personality had been of Lenin.