Life in a T otalitarian State

1. Life in a Totalitarian State By: Autumn Thomas

2. “Iron Age” of Totalitarian Control Soon after Joseph Stalin gains control, he turned the Soviet Union into a Totalitarian state, which is a form of government, in which a one-party dictatorship attempts to regulate every aspect of the lives of the citizens. Stalin’s Communist party used a secret police, censorship, and terror. These police spies opened private letters and planted listening devices without hesitation. Stalin used propaganda, which revived many extreme Nationalism, or pride in ones country. People who supported Stalin where seen as heroes. Stalin Propaganda Poster places on the right.  

3. “Iron Age” of Totalitarian Control • At first many communists targeted the Russian Orthodox Church, which supported the idea of a czar. • The communists took most of the religious property, they converted many churches into office and museums. • Priest and other church officials/leaders, were killed or they died in prison camps. • The government ran museums set up exhibits discrediting miracles and other religious teachings. • The Communists replaced many religions with their own ideology, which had their own “sacred” texts, writings from Marx and Lenin, and shrines. • Portraits of Stalin where used to replace religious icons in many Russian homes.

4. Changes in the Soviet Society The communists changes the entire social class. Instead of making everyone equal, as promised, they had a new elite ruling group. These Soviet Elite, had the best and nicest homes, shopping privileges at special stores for scarce goods, and good clothing. Some benefits of those not in the Elite group, enjoyed their privileges, there was free education available for all, and free medical care, daycare for children, cheap housing, and public transportation and recreation. Many schools were built after the Russian revolution, they served many purposes, such as, educating workers to build the modern society. Many women worked for the revolution spreading radical ideas among peasants and workers, and some urged the women’s rights. Alexandra Kollontai, the only high-ranking women in Lenin’s government, campaigned for women right’s. Finally women where granted the right to get a education, to work and be equal under the new law.

5. The Arts and The State Stalin made artists and writers to follow socialist realism. Stalin and the state had a heavy grip upon the arts. There was also Censorship, meaning the government controlled what was published or told on the radio, and what arts were on display. Artist who ignored this, could not get supplies, work space, or jobs, they also faces Stalin’s prosecution. A Jewish poet, Osip Mandelstam, composed a satirical verse about Stalin, he was imprisoned, tortured, and then exiled/banned.

6. Looking ahead • Stalin used strict censorship, massive propaganda, and terror, to enforce his personal power and to push the Soviet Union into modernizing. • After Stalin died in 1935, the Soviet Union was one of the worlds 2 military superpowers. But Stalin’s efforts took a great toll on everyone. • During the 1920s and 1930s there was major turmoil and economical hardships in Western Europe, because of this.