General Background/Review on Stalinist Era

One of the major topics discussed in the documentary today was Stalin and Soviet international decision.  In order to understand the background of these decisions and Stalinism in general, here are a few facts (probably review from last year) about living in the USSR during Stalin's rule.

• no freedom 
• had to read, see, and listen to what the state allowed
• anyone who did not was severely punished
• total control of the media
• idea/thought of the labor camps was a deterrent (gulags)
• communist leadership and armed forces were purged
• NKVD (secret police)
• 1936--stalin's constitution
• mainly focused power into Stalin's hands
• gave all rights to vote (limited), work, rest, health protection, housing, education
• personality cult
• Stalin continually glorified himself through pictures
• wore white suit in order to stand out from the crowd
• "Uncle Joe" was the image of a kind man and father of the Russians
• people could only write/illustrate in a way that glorified stalin
• education control
• 1932--new program was introduced
• examps were reintroduced
• subjects laid down by the government (especially history)
• Stalin's part in the revolution and relationship with Lenin
• russification was enforced--acceptance of Russian language and customs
• Youth organisations
• Octobrists (8-10 yrs), Pioneers (10-16 yrs), Komsomol (19-23)
• "good communist"
• Religion
• Churches were attacked and leaders were arrested
• Stalin thought that God challenged his position of authority
• people should only worship Stalin (personality cult)

**Interesting note--women enjoyed more liberal status under lenin

• Stalin put an emphasis on family because so many homeless children
• stain on the perfect communist society
• effective equality with men in the work place
• all jobs open to women
• image that Stalin created made working women less apparent

This is a simplified and condensed version--

read the full article here http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/Stalins%20Russia.htm

~~the living conditions section (near bottom) is interesting.