Stalin’s Soviet Union and Totalitarianism
Taking Control of the Soviet Union
After the death of Vladimir Lenin in 1924, there was a struggle for leadership in the Soviet Union. By 1927, Joseph Stalin had emerged as the most powerful figure in the Communist Party. Over the next decade, he worked to turn the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state—where the government had total control over the economy, the media, and even people’s personal lives. Stalin wanted to strengthen socialism, which meant transforming the country into a modern, industrialized, state-controlled society. But it also meant eliminating anyone who challenged his power.
The Five-Year Plans
To rapidly build the Soviet economy, Stalin introduced a series of Five-Year Plans, beginning in 1928. These plans focused on increasing industrial output—especially in areas like coal, steel, and electricity. The government set strict production targets for every factory and worker. Private businesses were eliminated, and the state took full control of economic planning. Although the Soviet Union became more industrialized, the costs were high. Workers faced long hours, low pay, and harsh conditions. Quotas were often unrealistic, and failure to meet them could result in punishment.
Collectivization and Famine
Stalin also transformed agriculture through a process called collectivization. Instead of allowing individual peasants to own land, the government forced millions of farmers to join large collective farms controlled by the state. The idea was to make farming more efficient and support industrial growth by producing more food. In reality, many peasants resisted giving up their land. In response, Stalin sent police and soldiers to crush resistance. Food was taken by force to meet government quotas, even if it meant leaving families to starve. In Ukraine, this led to a devastating famine known as the Holodomor, in which millions of people died.
The Great Purge
As Stalin’s power grew, he became increasingly paranoid about enemies—both real and imagined. Between 1936 and 1938, he launched the Great Purge, a campaign to remove anyone he saw as a threat. This included Communist Party officials, military leaders, writers, teachers, and ordinary citizens. People were arrested, tortured, sent to labor camps, or executed. Even loyal supporters could be accused without evidence. The Great Purge created a climate of fear where people were afraid to speak or think freely.
Totalitarian Rule and Its Legacy
Under Stalin, the Soviet Union became one of the most tightly controlled societies in the world. The government controlled newspapers, schools, radio, and art. Children were taught to admire Stalin, and citizens were encouraged to report anyone who criticized the government. While the Soviet Union did become more industrialized and powerful under Stalin, it came at an enormous human cost. Millions of people suffered and died as a result of his policies. By 1939, Stalin had complete control over the country—and had created a system built on surveillance, repression, and fear.