Stalin’s USSR: Dictatorship, Economy, and Civil War

Posted on Feb 25, 2025 in History

The Stalin Era (1928-1953)

In 1928, Stalin became the head of state, establishing a dictatorship supported by the Soviets and the Communist Party. He introduced a new constitution in 1936, solidifying his control over the media and suppressing criticism. Key features of Stalin’s dictatorship include:

  • The Cult of Personality: Stalin was presented as a god-like figure, using propaganda to attract the people.
  • A Mass Party: Strong Russian nationalism was promoted, requiring the entire population’s involvement. All officeholders had to be party members.
  • Marxism as Religious Doctrine: Marxism was treated as a rigid ideology, guiding the leader and pushing people to be either Marxist or apolitical.
  • Socialism in One Country: Everything revolved around the USSR. The Third International (Comintern) was created to serve Soviet interests.
  • A Regime of Terror: The political police (KGB) enforced terror, with over 8,000,000 people killed in the Gulag concentration camps.

Stalin’s Economic Policy

Stalin replaced the New Economic Policy (NEP) with economic planning and centralization. The state and the party controlled the economy, deciding what, how much, and how to produce. The goal was to industrialize the country rapidly, regardless of the cost. Stalin’s measures included:

  • Five-Year Plans: These plans achieved rapid economic growth, giving prestige to the USSR and Stalin, especially during the 1929 crisis.
  • Collectivization of Agriculture: Collective and state farms were created, eliminating private property. Collective farms (Kolkhozes) were collectively owned but state-controlled. State farms (Sovkhozes) employed peasants as state employees. Many people were exiled.
  • Emphasis on Heavy Industry: Focus was placed on weapons, ships, railways, etc. This demanded huge sacrifices from the people and did not improve living standards. The Stakhanovite movement, named after the miner Alexei Stakhanov, pushed workers to produce more in less time.

This policy led to a profound renewal of the USSR, making it a major economic power and the second-largest global power after the U.S. The Five-Year Plans were:

  • 1st (1928-1932)
  • 2nd (1933-1937: USA, UK, USSR)
  • 3rd (1938-1941: USA, Germany, USSR)

The prestige gained by the USSR as a superpower allowed Stalin to maintain power until his death in 1953. The Soviet Union continued with this regime until 1989.

The Russian Civil War

The Civil War began in December 1917, following Russia’s withdrawal from World War I. The war’s objective was to remove the Bolsheviks from power. It was fought between two main factions: the Whites and the Reds.

  • The White Army: Composed of supporters of the Tsar, liberals (who did not necessarily want the Tsar back), Kadets (KDT), Mensheviks, and counter-revolutionary forces. They were aided by French, British, American, and Japanese troops, who feared the spread of revolution in Europe.
  • The Red Army: Supporters of the Bolshevik revolution, including anarchists, communists, social revolutionaries, peasants, workers, and veterans of the Tsar’s army. The Red Army was organized by Leon Trotsky.

In August 1919, an attack on Lenin led to the implementation of the “Red Terror” in response to the “White Terror.” The Civil War contributed to the hardening of the regime. The Bolsheviks ultimately triumphed due to several factors:

  1. Disunity of Opponents: The White Army lacked a unified leadership and program.
  2. Support from Peasants and Workers: They supported the revolution, fearing the loss of gains made in 1917.
  3. Creation of the Red Army: Trotsky’s strong Red Army was a decisive factor.
  4. Internal Repression: The Cheka (secret police) persecuted those who did not follow the rules. The Communist Party became the only permitted political force.
  5. War Communism: All resources from the countryside and cities were directed to the war front, meaning full state control of the economy.

These measures provoked popular discontent, leading to riots and rebellions. Sailors turned against the Soviets, calling for free elections. Hundreds of prisoners were shot. Anarchists were declared outlaws and persecuted. The Communist Party became the sole legal party and controlled all levers of power.