Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union

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Joseph Stalins rule was profoundly beneficial politically and economically for the Soviet Union until 1938 however had a significant negative social impact. In the late 1920s Stalin was appointed the general secretary of the Bolshevik party in 1922. In 1924 Stalin expanded the functions of his role, all the while eliminating any opposition. By the late 1920s, he had made himself effectively the dictator of the Soviet Union, ruling with autocracy. Stalin aimed to industrialise Russia so it could become a great world power. Whilst Stalins 5 year plans towards industrialisation was effective, the substantial impact of the purges and the failure of collectivisation, far exceed any economic and political benefits from Stalin.
Stalin strongly believed collectivisation would be beneficial for the economy however collectivisation was ineffective due to the lack of cooperation of the kulaks and peasant. Stalin had a strong hold of the economy and forced collectivisation with his ultimate power.(HISTORY.com,. 2014). Stalin believed that collectivisation would increase agricultural output whilst solving the crisis of agricultural distribution. (McCauley, 1983, pg 25) Increasing the agriculture output was important in assisting the desperately needed industrialisation of Russia. (Baker, C. , 1990, pg 38) The plan seemed to be successful, by 1935, 94 per cent of agricultural land had been collectivised and the kulak class had been eliminated. The kulak class were the richest peasants who owned and rented the farm land. They didn't want to produce more than what was needed to sustain themselves. (Baker, C. , 1990, pg 39) Stalin used force against the peasant resistance in order to collectivize their plots of land. The peasants preferred to k...

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...s, he maintained a strong rule over Russia being able to implement his policies. His industrialization plan led to profound improvement in industrial output. Stalin equipped Russia with nuclear power, being beneficial economically.

Works Cited

Baker, C. (1990). Russia 1917-1945 (1st ed.). Oxford: Heinemann Educational.
McCauley, M. (1983). Stalin and Stalinism. (1st ed.) Harlow, Essex, England: Longman.
Acienciala.faculty.ku.edu, (2014). Communist nation since 1917. [online] Available at: http://acienciala.faculty.ku.edu/communistnationssince1917/ch3.html [Accessed 14 May. 2014].
HISTORY.com,. (2014). Joseph Stalin - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com. Retrieved 9 May 2014, from http://www.history.com/topics/joseph-stalin

Historylearningsite.co.uk,. (2014). Life in USSR under Stalin. Retrieved 9 May 2014, from http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/Stalins%20Russia.htm

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