Stalin's Corruption

Joseph Stalin used his intellect, and power, to outmanoeuvre his rivals to become leader of the Soviet Union. Using carefully planned propaganda including, painting, statues, and a series of cultivated posters Stalin immortalised and glorified his leadership. These state-manufactured images created a ‘cult of personality' around him, subsequently, creating an image of a heroic worshipped figure, who was associated with every aspect of soviet society. Stalin controlled the media and according to the historian Moshe Lewin, Stalin single handily, ‘become the system,’ (Lewin in Pittaway, 2008, p.137.)

In The Prince Machiavelli wrote about the different ways a prince could attain his position and how he should maintain that position. One of the topics he discusses is “Of those who have attained the position of prince by villainy”. This is a good example of how Stalin came into his power. The Soviet Union was founded in 1922, with Lenin as its leader. During that time Stalin climbed up the party ladder and secured a job that enabled him to appoint his allied government jobs letting him grow a base of political

One of the most important reasons why Stalin won the power struggle is that he used his high positions in the Communist party and the power that came with it to his advantage. Several factors fall under this category. Firstly is how Stalin used his position as General Secretary, as well as jealousies between the leaders and Trotsky’s illness to stage-manage Lenin’s funeral. To the general public, it appeared that Stalin was very close to Lenin, and as a result

Soso Djugashvili, more commonly known as Joseph Stalin, ‘man of steel’, dictator of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Russia, can be considered a ‘Red Tsar’ to an extent when features of Stalinism are compared to those of Tsarism and Russia ruled by Nicholas II’s autocratic regime from 1894 to 1917. A ‘Red Tsar’ is a communist leader whom follows similar principles followed under the leadership of a Tsar, that were influenced by few opinions allowing sole leadership and little opposition from others. Stalin can be considered a ‘Red Tsar’ to an extent as he ruled Communist Russia as a somewhat totalitarian state and was considered a ‘God-like’ figure sent to Earth to lead the nation and its people. From Stalin’s reign of terror from 1929 to 1953 there can be similarities seen in his regime to features of Tsarism as well as differences, this is why there are alternative interpretations for Stalin being considered a ‘Red Tsar’.

Joseph Stalin, from the time that he was a low level revolutionary to the years that he spent as the dictator of the Soviet Union, always knew what he needed to do to achieve his goals. His organized rise to power allowed him to gain a steady flow of followers who would support him for decades to come. Stalin received a minor government position in 1917, but by the time a new leader was needed in 1924, he “had turned the largely routine post of Party general secretary into the most powerful office in the Soviet Union” (“Joseph Stalin) and “had built a personal empire for himself through his control over committee appointments at all levels . . . expand[ing] the leading Party organs with his supporters, who then voted against his rivals”

Prior to his rise to power, Joseph Stalin’s early life had a large impact on his future as a leader of the Soviet Union. Stalin was born into a dysfunctional family in Gori, Georgia on December 21, 1879 (Joseph Stalin pbs.org). His real name however, was Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili. Then changed his last name to Stalin because he combined the Russian word stal, which means steel, and Lenin, the name of the Soviet Union leader at the time (jewishvituallibrary.org). In keeping with his strong name, Stalin contracted and even survived smallpox at a young age, but with the only remaining evidence being a facial scar from where the smallpox where it had formed at. Stalin was sent to a seminary in Tiflis, now known as Tbilisi, to become a priest. However, Stalin never completed his education and soon became involved in the city’s active revolutionary circle ,

Stalin used the media in order to convince the Russian citizens that there were saboteurs and spies within Russian population. Stalin used the secret police and military forces to carry out the arrests of so called

It is plausible to suggest that Joseph Stalin was essentially a Red Tsar. Whilst Stalin was committed to communism, his ideology and authoritarian reign was reminiscent of the Tsarist autocratic rule that proceeded him. For nearly six centuries Russia was ruled under a Tsarist autocratic government until it was overthrown during the 1917 revolution that led to the introduction of the first communist government in Russia and the leadership of Joseph Stalin. During his reign, Stalin enacted a ‘cult of personality’ in which he was worshipped as a god-like being similar to that of the autocratic Tsars who ruled before him. Likewise, there were immense similarities in the social structures and quality of life for Russia’s people under the reign of the last Tsar, Nicholas II, and Joseph Stalin. There is considerable evidence therefore to support the idea that Joseph Stalin was essentially a Red Tsar.

Stalin’s unquestionable dominance over the Bolshevik party and their actions highlights the impact of Stalinism

Thus, the “Cult of Personality” was flourishing. Propaganda glorifying Stalin and Soviet ideals brainwashed the minds of Russian people. Stalin successfully impressed his socialist philosophies on millions of workers and peasants. Over time, socialism transformed into Stalinism, and it took hold. Stalin was able to hypnotize people towards one belief, the love of Stalin. When they saw Stalin being portrayed heroically everyday in the news or on posters, they began to idolize him. Stalin is like Big Brother; he was the main focus and had total power over the people and their actions.

Iosif Dzhugashvili, more commonly known as “Joseph Stalin” or “the man of steel” was born in Gori Georgia, Russia on December 18, 1878. Stalin lived under the rule of Tsar Alexander II and Tsar Nicholas II (Joseph Stalin). Joseph Stalin’s dad was an alcoholic, while his mom was deeply religious. They were a poor family and Stalin was usually mistreated by his dad. It is believed this is why Stalin’s heart hardened and he became cruel and heartless (Ryan). Despite his modest background, he was destined to change the course of history. Joseph Stalin became the head of the Communist Party, ruled Russia as a totalitarian state, and was responsible for the deaths of millions

     Stalin was a very un-stable man. Stalin's actions, were because of nervous breakdowns, and not making the right decisions. Stalin was made dictator of Russia through the death of Lenin, and this is the only was the Russians would have put him into power.

The events which led to Stalin’s rise to power were not simple and it was

The Soviet Union believed in elitism. Elitism is the rule by a group of individuals who possess a disproportionate amount of political power. Majoritarian politics, the complete opposite of elitism, was not permitted in the Soviet Union. Citizens were not allowed to express their thoughts and worked under strict orders. Stalin had potential enemies executed or sent to forced labor camps. Even though these actions are inhumane, it is still considered a legitimate use of power. Since Stalin was a dictator, he could easily change and control the law. His dictator status gave him the authority to use his political power in any way and at any time. In fact, it could also be said that he was the law, and hence the legitimacy of his use of

Charisma: Stalin rose to power amidst the chaotic downfall of Lenin and in the midst of an economic submergence of USSR. He established himself as a social, economic and mass leader among the Soviet Union. Though scarred by his physical incapability and a failing personal life Stalin