IB 20th Century History
Josef Stalin, one of history’s most infamous monsters, created a devastating social climate in Russia during his age of power. Like many other dictators throughout history, Stalin ascended to power using brute force, sparing no one that stood in his way. However, Stalin’s leadership was unlike any other due to the extreme repression of rights, the ruthless and unrelenting violence, and the heightened feelings of paranoia and suspicion.
Stalin’s key goal as the leader of Russia was to collectivize the land and agriculture, as well as to increase industrialism. As he advanced upon this objective, the peasants of Russia lost progressively more and more freedom. Although Lenin supported voluntary collectivization, Stalin made it mandatory that Russian citizens relocate to communes. Once the peasants were established in the communes, where they lived in substandard conditions, Stalin proceeded to eliminate their rights as workers. Workers in industry and agriculture were knowingly underpaid, as there was no designated or set wage. Collectivization ended up being instrumental in depriving peasants of the fruits of their hard labor. Due to Stalin’s exceedingly high production estimates established by the Five Year Plan (1927-1933), the communes were pushed to extreme production expectations. If a certain farm or industry did not generate enough profit, it was common that the individual laborers were not paid. Needless to say, the guidelines and expectations imposed upon the peasants led them to feel constricted and resentful towards the State.
