Explain how Stalin was able to hold on to power in the Soviet Union.

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History Coursework part 2:

Explain how Stalin was able to hold on to power in the Soviet Union

        Stalin was able to hold onto his power as leader of the Soviet Union for a substantial amount of time. There were a number of contributing factors which enabled him to do so, each equally helping Stalin to control the country, A variety of political methods were some of the means available to him and he took full advantage of these in order to stay in control.

The purges and show trials was definitely factors that were inaugural in keeping Stalin in power and helping him in keeping his country under control. One of Stalin’s aim was to control his people to such an extent that they would be afraid to even think of opposing him. The purges were definitely one way of keeping the country under control. They began in 1934, when Segei Kirov, the leader of the Leningrad and a potential rival was murdered. Although there was no evidence that Stalin was responsible for the death of Kirov, many people thought he was involved in some way. This led to many other purges, in which he ordered purges against people who believed he was involved in the death. An estimated 500,000 party members were arrested, followed by Trotsky, another of Stalin’s rivals being exiled in Mexico. Soon ordinary people such as University leaders, teachers, miners, engineers and ordinary workers were purged with an estimated one death in every family in the USSR. Stalin used the NKVD to round up any opposition and send them to Gulags – an estimated 18 million people being transported. The purges did not stop there, with purges to the army being almost fatal to the USSR – evident when Hitler invaded; an inexperienced Red Army were left as the one’s battling. This was something that hurt the country but overall I feel the purges were vital in keeping Stalin in power as he used them to manipulate people into following his rule or sending them to labour camps if they did not. They also helped Stalin to stay in control because it enabled him to get rid of any opposition.

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The Show Trials were one of Stalin's many forms of propaganda, which he used to terrify his people and keep control of the country. These show trials link with propaganda as they were broadcast all over the world. Stalin mounted a huge propaganda campaign in posters, films, radio, books and newspapers which were all state controlled and so links to Stalin’s NKVD. These all helped push the government’s views and portrayed Stalin in a great light. The whole propaganda regime became so huge; a cult of personality for Stalin was created in which he was made out to be in ...

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