Source E an extract from a biography of Stalin publishes in 1974 in Britain, suggests that Stalin was, “corrupted by absolute power,” as well as “terror was necessary.” This shows that Stalin policies and actions were to maintain his own power and authority. It also suggests that, “Absolute power turned a ruthless Politian” and justifies this by saying, “without terror, who would have failed to notice the clear absurdity of Stalin’s rule?” Similar to source J, an extract from a speech given by Bukharin in Paris in 1936, suggests that Stalin he was “narrow-minded, malicious man – no, not a man, but a devil.” This source also does agree with the title; however both sources are only an opinion of Stalin’s actions. Moreover, source J is biased because of Bukharin fell into disgrace in 1929 and was a victim of Stalin’s purges in 1938; therefore Bukharin would have been bitter towards Stalin. Concluding that it would not be as reliable.
As for source K and L, both being and cartoon about Stalin’s show trials, although source K coming from America and source L from France. Both sources showing the mockery of Stalin’s show trials suggesting how ridiculous both sources are. In source K it shows the members of the politburo admitting happily with fixed faces, to the allegations made against Stalin. As in source L it shows Stalin being in every position of the show trial being Stalin, Stalin is the jury, the lawyer and the judge. Both show clearly that the sources are true about the statement made in the title.
However in sources A, B, D, F, G, H and I could well not be true, that Stalin did design policies to help the USSR and its people.
Sources A and B shows Stalin being with workers while smiling with them and looking like a good politician. Source A an official painting of Stalin is in front of a newly opened hydroelectric power station. Stalin is shown to be a god-like figure as he wears pure white, also suggesting purity and associating himself with workers. This is also shown in source B, which shows his cult of personality and as if he was being worshipped by the women. However both sources don’t show that Stalin’s policies were just to maintain his power. Although source A is a painting which could be of something that had never happened as, source B is a photograph which is could have been set up. But one can conclude that there is a use of propaganda, therefore it could be true that Stalin only used policies to maintain his authority and power, as publishing paintings and photographs of himself in these settings was one way to maintain his power.
This is similar to sources D and I, where is shows, especially in source I, a use of cult of personality; “thy name is engraved……..in the hearts of all men.” And “when the women I love presents me with a child the first word it should utter will be: Stalin.” In source D, however, suggests that Stalin was a “gifted politician” and he had “a dark and evil side to his nature.” Except this source is an opinion of the extract taken out of the biography of Stalin published in 1993 in Britain, which states that “in my belief.” This source does not provide enough evidence that Stalin was a good politician as it was published in 1993 in Britain; therefore it can suggest that Stalin did not use policies to retain his power.
On the contrary to source to source F, a British historian’s view of education provision in the Soviet Union, written in 1995. This source state’s that the achievement of the Soviet Union to demolish illiteracy was “rare by 1939” and that previously the population was affected by illiteracy by “75%.” While the population of children in primary school had risen from “9 to 18 million between 1920-1933”, the number of pupils to secondary school had rose to “3.5 million in 1993” from “0.5 million in 1922.” Furthermore this lead to a total school population in the USSR of “around 35 million” school pupils. This can be backed up by source G, a photograph of a boy’s school in Moscow in 1940.
