joseph stalin essay conclusion

Joseph Stalin: Childhood, Early Life, How He Came to Power Essay (Biography)

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

The Union of the Soviet Socialists Republics (USSR) had many outstanding political figures. They include Trotsky, Lenin and Josef Stalin. USSR became a world super power under the leadership of Josef Stalin.The superiority of the USSR was attributed to their military stability, political, industrial powers and their flourishing economy. These were established through strategic plans laid by Stalin as he ascended to power after the death of Lenin in 1924.The paper will look at Josef Stalin’s childhood/early life, how he came to power, what he did that was significant, and how the world changed because of him. Also a brief look at what he did during WWII.

Joseph Stalin was born as Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili in Gori, 1878. During his early childhood, his face was permanently scarred after suffering from a small pox attack. Beside that, he permanently damaged his left hand as a result two accidents that happened to him. He enrolled at Georgian Orthodox Seminary through a scholarship unfortunately he did not complete the course because he could not afford the required school fees. This resulted to his being expelled after which, he was inspired by revolutionary writings of Vladimir Lenin. In 1903, his desire for politics was satisfied when he joined the Bolsheviks and became an advocate of Marxism, a movement through which he carried out revolutions i.e. robberies and extortions. These illegal activities led him to be imprisoned many times, he also lived in exile. While in exile in Baku, his wife Ekaterina died. He started a newspaper printing press and named it Pravda. He remained as an editor of the newspaper (Suny 17).

The Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Civil War of 1917-1919 was major role that Stalin played. This ended in the victory for the Bolsheviks. As a matter of fact during the revolution Lenin escaped and went into exile thus creating room for Stalin to rise to power. He was elected to the Bolshevik Central Committee and became an appointee to hold the seat of General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union’s Central Committee. This was after Georgia had been attacked by the Red Army. After the death of Lenin, Josef Stalin ascended to power. Stalin eliminated all his former allies who could cause a threat to his leadership and by the year 1928 he was unchallenged leader and none could dispute him in USSR.

In the year 1928 he initiated a rapid industrialization programme, forced collective agriculture and established a five –year plans for economic development. His legacy is commonly remembered especially concerning the means he used to come to power and clinging to power for a long period of time, 1924-1953.During that time many murders were committed using the secret police and intelligence agencies, imprisonment without trials as he once said “Kill one and you are a murderer, kill thousands and you are a legend” . Stalin murdered his political rival Trotsky who had gone in exile in Mexico in 1940 through the use of the secret police and intelligence police (Kanatchikov 42).

Stalin was an outstanding negotiator (Walker 14). During his political career, Stalin was able to act as a middle person and fostered understanding between several political powers. For instance, he was the front runner in ensuring that the USSR stayed as a block after the liberation given to them by the red army. It is true to argue that his single handed efforts, Stalin was able to ensure that the Eastern European countries remained within the powers of the Soviet Union. In addition, Stalin was able to negotiate with Adolf Hitler for a peaceful solution concerning Poland. In his proposition, he offered that the two countries divide Poland between themselves and stay peaceful. This proposition was accepted by Adolf Hitler who later went against his word and attacked the USSR. His negotiation power was also evidenced by his ability to secure three seats within the United Nations Council for his country. During this period, the United Nations was a newly formed organization. Considering that Stalin’s deepest desire was to see the world giving respect the USSR, his negotiation power was able to ensure that USSR had a permanent seat in the Security Council. True to his desire, the USSR was respected as one of the world’s super powers.

As the leader of the USSR Stalin launched a five –year economic development plan that was centralized. The agricultural sector was collectivized and plans for rapid industrial development programs came into force. The experiments that were carried out in the agricultural sector introduced rapid changes in social ladder in the country. Peasant farmers were alienated from their land and produce thus leading to a great resistance from the peasants. This agricultural experiment flopped causing rigorous food shortage that resulted into deaths due to hunger. As a result of these new policies, measures were put in place to restrict consumption by the people and the wealth of the rich peasants were nationalized through capital investment by the government of the USSR. These achievements were made during the first two year plan periods under the 5 year economic development plan (Kanatchikov 42).

Under his leadership Stalin can be remembered for administering and championing equal rights for women. The policies laid down catered for women to get access to education and sound health care. The women had equal job opportunities after completion of their education.Proper road and rail networks were improved in the transportation sector. Technical experts, which included women, ensured that industrial outfit of the country was good. The rate of development was thus enhanced (Suny 13).

One notable character of Stalin was his intolerance for enemies and opposition. During his time in power with the Bolsheviks, Stalin ensured that the leaders of the Lenin party were destroyed (Ginzburg 27). He used the term enemy of the people to ensure that all of them were killed. Although he started by ensuring that most of them were sent to exile, he realized later that their influence on the people even from Diaspora was still great. He devised methods that later put the old leaders to trial which led to most of the killings.

During the Second World War, Stalin was comfortably sure that he was safe from the hands of the Nazi. This made him relax and concentrate less on the events of the war. However, Hitler went against his word and attacked the USSR. As a result of his unpreparedness, Stalin faced great defeat at the hands of the Germans. As a reaction, he stayed locked in his office for a long period of time trying to absorb the shock. Though he later regrouped his army, it had cost him time and lives. In addition, Belarus and Ukraine were already under the German control (Tumarkin 33).

The world has Stalin to thank for his strong opposition of Nazi Germany in 1942. During this time, the German legions had marched forward with a soul objective of liquidating the Russian power. If they had succeeded, Adolf Hitler would have conquered the whole world. He would have become unstoppable. His Nazi ideologies and values would have been spread to the whole world. From Europe, Hitler would have conquered other continents. However, Stalin stopped this Hitler dream. Although he was ambushed unexpectedly at first, he managed to regroup and re-strategize his military and stopped German legions from sweeping past Stalingrad (Tumarkin 32).

After the death of Stalin in 1953 his predecessor undermined his policies. Thus new policies came into effect. Stalin is never championed as the world leader due to his violation of human rights through the use of secret police to thrash those that challenged his power.

Born a humble church going little child, Stalin will be remembered not only by Russians but the world as a whole for the role he played during the Second World War. For the people of the Soviet Union, it was Stalin’s effort that ensured that the eastern European countries remained under the Soviet Influence. In addition, his development plan ensured that the Soviet experienced an industrial revolution which saw the country acquire an industrial outlook and hence competitiveness. To the world, it was Stalin who stopped the German legions from extending their ideologies and conquest over the world. Hitler’s army was stopped from advancing further after experiencing defeat from Stalin. On the other hand, Stalin is known for his iron handed rule over the Soviet. He is known for his destruction of opposition. Despite this, it is true that he is one of the people to be remembered down history lane.

What Do We Really Know about Joseph Stalin?

It took three more decades of Soviet rule before the archives dealing with Stalin and his times could be explored. And then the doors were shut again.

Joseph Stalin died sixty-five years ago this month. But it wasn’t until Mikhail Gorbachev’s glasnost and perestroika in the late 1980s, and then the breakup of the USSR, that the state archives were opened and the full record of Stalin’s deeds revealed.

As historian Hiroaki Kuromiya notes, prior to the Soviet Union’s end, that nation’s history was written by rumor, Kremlinology, and foreign intelligence agencies. The records of the USSR have transformed the history of the USSR. But don’t expect to find all the answers in the papers; historians like Kuromiya continue to debate the meanings and motivations behind the documentation.

In addition, some documents were never declassified at all. Intelligence and military archives were hardly opened. And there were big gaps: Stalin’s personal library and archives were missing. But there was more than enough to show that Stalin personally oversaw the Great Terror of the late 1930s. This purge of the revolutionary generation of “Old Bolsheviks” and the mass murders of other real and/or imagined enemies of the state, including ethnic minorities like Poles, Germans, Greeks, Koreans, and Latvians, peaked in 1937-38. Loyalty from dictators is precarious, however, and Stalin himself ordered the death of his chief Terror executioner.

According to the paperwork, 328,618 people were sentenced to be shot in 1938. But the records “are incomplete and ambiguities remain.” Kuromiya writes, “many who were tortured to death, for instance, were almost certainly not included” in this terrible toll.

Stalin’s own daughter called him a “moral and spiritual monster.” Others said they were surprised by his “human touch” in negotiations, his voracious reading habits, and his love of the movies. Kuromiya argues that Stalin’s “charm and inhumanity” were not contradictory, but rather the source of his power. “He was a rare, and even unique, politician who literally lived by politics alone…He accepted the fact that he was like a Tsar and maintained that the Soviet people needed a Tsar.” Although Georgian by birth, Stalin also played up Russian nationalism and “laid the foundation for the emergence of naked Russian nationalism after his death.”

Once a Week

Get your fix of JSTOR Daily’s best stories in your inbox each Thursday.

Privacy Policy   Contact Us You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the provided link on any marketing message.

Nina Khrushcheva, a grand-daughter of Nikita Khrushchev, finds plenty of evidence of Stalin nostalgia in the aftermath of the Soviet Union , despite the millions killed and imprisoned. She suggests that for about a third of Russians, the “demise of the Soviet political system and the breakup of the Soviet empire resulted in a truncated historical narrative, which carried with it the loss of national identity.”

Making Russia great again, like when Stalin was at the height of his power, is a touchstone of that identity. This is likely behind the success of the latest Tsar-wannabe, Vladimir Putin. And in the time since the archives were opened in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Russian state has clamped down on access again .

JSTOR is a digital library for scholars, researchers, and students. JSTOR Daily readers can access the original research behind our articles for free on JSTOR.

Get Our Newsletter

More stories.

• The Gift of the Grange

• Where Are the Trees?

• Remembering the Rumble in the Jungle

Whence Warchitecture

Recent posts.

• L. M. Montgomery’s Plain Jane
• Meteorite Strike in South Africa

Support JSTOR Daily

Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Breadcrumbs Section. Click here to navigate to respective pages.

DOI link for Stalinism

Get Citation

In the years since Stalin's death, his profound influence upon the historical development of Communism has remained elusive and in need of interpretation. Stalinism, as his system has become known, is a phenomenon which embraced all facets of political and social life. While its effect upon the Soviet Union and other nations today is far less than it was while Stalin lived, it is by no means dead.In this landmark volume some of the world's foremost scholars of the subject, in a concerted group inquiry, present their interpretations of Stalinism and its influence on all areas of comparative Communist studies from history and politics to economics, sociology, and literary scholarship. The studies contained in this volume are an outgrowth of a conference on Stalinism held in Bellagio, Italy, sponsored by the American Council of Learned Societies.In his major contribution to this book, Leszek Kolakowski calls Stalinism "a unified state organism facing atom-like individuals." This extraordinary volume, augmented by a revealing new introduction by the editor, Robert C. Tucker, can be seen as amplifying that remark nearly a half century after the death of Joseph Stalin himself.Contributors to this work are: Wlodzimierz Brus, Katerina Clark, Stephen F. Cohen, Alexander Erlich, Leszek Kolakowski, Moshe Lewin, Robert H. McNeal, Mihailo Markovic, Roy A. Medvedev, T. H. Rigby, Robert Sharlet, and H. Gordon Skilling. Robert C. Tucker's principle work on Stalin has been described by George F. Kennan as "the most significant single contribution made to date, anywhere, to the history of Soviet power."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part one | 108  pages, old and new approaches, chapter | 27  pages, bolshevism and stalinism, chapter | 23  pages, trotskyist interpretations of stalinism, chapter | 24  pages, stalinism and the mono-organizational society, chapter | 32  pages, stalinism as revolution from above, part two | 128  pages, dimensions of stalinism in russia, chapter | 26  pages, the social background of stalinism, chapter | 18  pages, stalinism and marxian growth models*, chapter | 25  pages, stalinism and soviet legal culture*, chapter | 10  pages, utopian anthropology as a context for stalinist literature, chapter | 37  pages, new pages from the political biography of stalin*, part three | 44  pages, stalinism in eastern europe, stalinism and the “peoples’ democracies” *, stalinism and czechoslovak political culture, part four | 39  pages, stalinism versus marxism, chapter | 16  pages, marxist roots of stalinism, chapter | 21  pages, stalinism and marxism, chapter | 5  pages, conclusion: some questions on the scholarly agenda.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Taylor & Francis Online
• Taylor & Francis Group
• Students/Researchers
• Librarians/Institutions

Connect with us

Registered in England & Wales No. 3099067 5 Howick Place | London | SW1P 1WG © 2024 Informa UK Limited

• Society and Politics
• Art and Culture
• Biographies
• Publications

History Grade 11 - Topic 1 Essay Questions

Explain to what extent Stalin succeeded in transforming Russia into a superpower by 1939.

Stalin came to power on the back of Lenin’s death in 1925, after which he instituted a range of far-reaching policy changes that would alter the course of Russian society and politics for the rest of the 20th century. The communist Soviet Union we now remember was the product of Stalin, although it can be argued that Lenin was responsible for laying the foundations of its highly authoritarian political culture. The new Russia under Stalin was supposed to radically break from the economic and social backwardness that characterised the Tsarist regime, and which Lenin had little time to achieve. In many ways, Stalin did create a completely different Russia, one almost unrecognisable from before the October revolution which overthrew the provisional government. However, whether that translated into it being a superpower is quite another thing. This paper will argue that although momentous and radical, the reforms Stalin instituted did not transform Russia into a superpower by 1939, although it did lay the framework for such a status to be attained during the post-WWII era.

Stalin rose to power as the leader of the Soviet Union by crushing his opposition in the Central Committee led by Leon Trotsky. Although we shall not detail this complicated political battle, it is important to note that the vying for power between the powerful figures was also a contestation over the ideological and policy framework which the Soviet Union should take. By the late 1920s, Stalin had emerged victorious, and went on to institute his own brand of communism in the Soviet Union. This centred on the notion of ‘Socialism in one Country’, which was ideally to build up the “industrial base and military might of the Soviet Union before exporting revolution abroad.” [1] This was in contrast to earlier pronouncements made by Lenin and Trotsky, which indicated the need to establish a worldwide ‘uninterrupted revolution’ of workers. [2] The logic here was that socialism could never survive independently outside of a socialist world order; Stalin, on the other hand, saw a national socialism – which, ironically, would be compared to Nazism – as the only way for socialism to survive. [3]

The practical effects of Stalin’s socialism in one country was the rescindment of the New Economic Policy (NEP) – which had allowed for small-scale capitalist enterprise to operate – the collectivisation of agriculture, and rapid forced industrialisation. [4] Socialism in one country forced the Soviet Union to look inwards, to create a socialist nation whose lessons and ideas could then be exported overseas. This means that, for all practical purposes, Russia was not interested in attaining any overtly ‘superpower’ status in global politics. It meant, in terms of foreign policy, of “putting the interests of the Soviet Union ahead of the interests of the international communist movement.” [5] Ideally, when Russia became powerful enough, it would then ferment for workers’ revolutions the world over.

The costs and benefits of these sweeping policy changes – which essentially closed off the Soviet Union from the outside world – are difficult to determine. On the one hand, they certainly led to large-scale industrialisation which outstripped the pace of Russia’s Western counterparts. Through the policy instrument of Five-Year Plans, which set production targets for industries and farms, Stalin was able to bring Russia up to date with modern heavy-industry production techniques and increase output exponentially. For example, cast iron production increased 439% in ten years, and coal extraction 361%. [6] Russia also went on an extensive electrification programme, called GOELRO, which increased electricity production from 1.9 billion kWh in 1913 to 48 billion kWh in 1940. [7]

However, despite the resounding success with which certain - especially heavy - industries benefitted from forced industrialisation, many other industries and rural farmers often suffered. Because of the focus on heavy industrialisation, lighter industries that catered for consumer goods were often poorly made and faced shortages. The agricultural collectivisation programme which was conducted with increased inflexibility and violence across the Russian hinterland cost the lives of millions of peasants, who died of hunger resulting from famine caused by the upheaval of forced collectivisation. Figures range from 5.6 million to 13.4 million. [8] Millions of other prosperous peasants – known as Kulaks – were sent to gulag camps in Siberia for work; Molotov suggested that between 1.3 and 1.5 kulak households (accounting for between 6 and 7 million persons) were expropriated. [9] Thus, whilst Stalin broke the back of these peasants – by 1941, 97% of agriculture was conducted in collectives, and finally there was enough food to feed the cities – the human cost remains an ever-contested aspect of this period.

What is clear about this period, is that these policies centralised the economy and political power in Russia in Stalin’s hands. The increased industrial output, and the ability for (eventual) increased agricultural production to feed the cities, allowed Russia a certain amount of confidence in its ability to conduct itself as an industrial nation. As Stalin was once quoted as saying, “We are fifty to one hundred years behind the advanced countries. We must make good this distance in ten years. Either we do it, or they crush us.” [10] Thus, one of the primary reasons for industrialisation was for the ability for Russia to protect itself. This fits in well with the overall ideological implication of Stalin’s ‘socialism in one country’, which advocated for an insular reading of socialism that would allow for ‘proper’ socialist conditions to be reached within the massive country before a worldwide socialist revolution took place.

And in many ways, the industrial capacity generated during Stalin’s leadership up to 1939 was crucial for Russia to defend itself against Germany in 1941. Not only did allow for the production of millions of armaments and supplies crucial to the success of any armed conflict, but it also laid the groundwork for a post-war reconstruction. Because the Soviet Union boasted such impressive industrial capacity, it could rebuild after WWII much easier – and more importantly, without the help of aid from the West, especially the USA. The Marshall Plan, in which the USA loaned $15 billion to European countries to help rebuild industry and cities after their decimation during the second world war, was largely a strategic move to counter the spread of communism in Europe. [11] The spread of Russian influence into eastern Europe, on the other hand, was premised on its industrial power, which resulted in its alternative to the Marshall Plan - namely the Molotov Plan - which extended aid to socialist regimes in central and eastern Europe. [12]

The success of Russian industrialisation and agricultural collectivisation during the pre-war years allowed for the repel of German forces and the extension of Russian influence into the eastern European region. It was then that Russia became a superpower. In fact, it is only during the post-WWII war era when the notion of an international ‘superpower’ becomes widespread, when the cold war divides the world into two ideologically opposed sides – America on the one side and the Soviet Union on the other. [13] One could thus argue that the relative military strength of Russia after WWII, a result of its impressive industrial capacity – and its focus on heavy industry and agricultural production – meant that it could become a superpower. Thus, although no one would suggest that Russia was a superpower before WWII in 1939, its ability to retain its industrial strength after the war meant that it would become one. In conclusion, although Stalin did not transform Russia into a superpower by 1939, he laid the necessary groundwork for that to occur in the post-war era.

This content was originally produced for the SAHO classroom by Sebastian Moronell, Ayabulela Ntwakumba, Simone van der Colff & Thandile Xesi.

[1] "Communism - Stalinism". 2021. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/communism/Stalinism#ref539199

[2] Erik Van Ree. "Socialism in One Country: A Reassessment." Studies in East European Thought 50, no. 2 (1998): 77.

[3] Kate Frey. 2020. "An Introduction to Trotsky’s Theory of Permanent Revolution". Left Voice. https://www.leftvoice.org/an-introduction-to-trotskys-theory-of-permane… .

[4] "Communism - Stalinism". 2021. Encyclopedia Britannica.

[6] John P. Hardt and Carl Modig. The Industrialization of Soviet Russia in the First Half Century. Research Analysis Corp. McLean, 1968, pg. 6.

[8] Massimo Livi-Bacci. "On the Human Costs of Collectivization in the Soviet Union." Population and Development Review (1993): 751

[9] Ibid, pg. 744.

[10] Flewers, Paul. 2021. "The Economic Policy of The Soviet By Isaac Deutscher 1948". Marxists.Org. https://www.marxists.org/archive/deutscher/1948/economic-policy.htm .

[11] "Marshall Plan". 2021. History. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/marshall-plan-1 .

[12] Morroe Berger. "How the Molotov Plan Works." The Antioch Review 8, no. 1 (1948): 18.

[13] Joseph M. Siracusa. "Reflections on the Cold War." Australasian Journal of American Studies (2009): 3.

• Berger, Morroe. "How the Molotov Plan Works." The Antioch Review 8, no. 1 (1948): 17-25.
• "Communism - Stalinism". 2021. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/communism/Stalinism#ref539199 .
• Flewers, Paul. 2021. "The Economic Policy of the Soviet by Isaac Deutscher 1948". Marxists.Org. https://www.marxists.org/archive/deutscher/1948/economic-policy.htm .
• Frey, Kate. 2020. "An Introduction to Trotsky’S Theory of Permanent Revolution". Left Voice. https://www.leftvoice.org/an-introduction-to-trotskys-theory-of-permanent-revolution .
• Livi-Bacci, Massimo. "On the Human Costs of Collectivization in the Soviet Union." Population and Development Review (1993): 743-766.
• "Marshall Plan". 2021. History. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/marshall-plan-1.
• Siracusa, Joseph M. "Reflections on the Cold War." Australasian Journal of American Studies (2009): 1-16.
• Van Ree, Erik. "Socialism in One Country: A Reassessment." Studies in East European Thought 50, no. 2 (1998): 77-117.
• Hardt, John P. and Carl Modig. The Industrialization of Soviet Russia in the First Half Century. Research Analysis Corp. McLean, 1968.

Return to topic: Communism in Russia from 1900 to 1940

Return to SAHO Home

Return to History Classroom

Collections in the Archives

Know something about this topic.

Towards a people's history

Explaining History Podcast

Modern history podcasts for students and enthusiasts

How to write an essay about Stalin’s Five Year Plans

How to write an essay on stalin’s five year plans: a comprehensive guide.

Stalin’s Five Year Plans were a series of centralized economic plans implemented in the Soviet Union from 1928 to 1932. These plans aimed to transform the Soviet Union from an agricultural society into an industrialized nation through rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture. The plans were characterized by ambitious production targets, strict state control, and the use of forced labor.

Writing an essay on Stalin’s Five Year Plans can be a challenging task, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding experience. To begin with, it is important to understand the historical context in which the plans were implemented and the impact they had on the Soviet Union and its people. This requires a thorough analysis of primary and secondary sources, including government documents, speeches, and scholarly articles.

Moreover, a successful essay on Stalin’s Five Year Plans should also address the controversies and debates surrounding the plans. While some historians argue that the plans were necessary for the Soviet Union’s survival and modernization, others criticize the plans for their human cost and inefficiencies. By examining multiple perspectives and sources, a well-crafted essay can provide a nuanced understanding of this complex historical topic.

Section 2: Historical Background

Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953. He was known for his strong leadership and his desire to modernize the Soviet Union. Stalin believed that the Soviet Union needed to catch up with the industrialized Western countries in order to protect itself from foreign threats.

In order to achieve this goal, Stalin introduced a series of Five Year Plans. These plans were designed to rapidly industrialize the Soviet Union and transform it from an agricultural society into an industrial powerhouse. The first Five Year Plan was launched in 1928 and focused on heavy industry, such as steel production and coal mining.

The Soviet Union had a long way to go to catch up with the industrialized nations of the West. The country had been devastated by World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the subsequent civil war. The economy was in shambles, and the country was facing widespread famine and poverty. Stalin’s Five Year Plans were seen as a way to modernize the country and improve the lives of its citizens.

However, the Five Year Plans were not without their drawbacks. The rapid industrialization came at a great cost to the people of the Soviet Union. Workers were forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions for low pay. Many were sent to labor camps or executed for failing to meet production quotas. The agricultural sector suffered as resources were diverted to heavy industry, leading to widespread famine and starvation.

Despite these drawbacks, the Five Year Plans were largely successful in achieving their goal of modernizing the Soviet Union. By the end of the Second World War, the Soviet Union had become a major industrial power, with a strong military and a growing economy. The legacy of Stalin’s Five Year Plans can still be seen in modern-day Russia, where heavy industry continues to play a major role in the country’s economy.

Overview of Stalin’s Five Year Plans

Stalin’s Five Year Plans were a series of centralized economic plans in the Soviet Union from 1928 to 1932. The main objective of these plans was to rapidly industrialize the country and modernize the economy. The first Five Year Plan focused on heavy industry, such as steel, coal, and machinery production, while subsequent plans emphasized the development of consumer goods and agriculture.

The Five Year Plans were implemented through a series of strict quotas and targets that were set by the government. These targets were often unrealistic and led to a number of negative consequences, including widespread famine, labor shortages, and poor working conditions. However, the plans also led to significant advancements in Soviet industry, particularly in the production of heavy machinery and steel.

The Five Year Plans were accompanied by a number of political changes, including the elimination of private enterprise and the collectivization of agriculture. These policies were often enforced through violent means, such as the forced relocation of peasants and the execution of political dissidents.

Despite the significant human cost of the Five Year Plans, they are often credited with transforming the Soviet Union from an agricultural society into an industrial powerhouse. The plans laid the groundwork for the country’s rapid industrialization during World War II and its subsequent emergence as a superpower during the Cold War.

Key Features of Stalin’s Five Year Plans

The Five Year Plans were a series of centralized economic plans in the Soviet Union, created under the leadership of Joseph Stalin. The first plan was launched in 1928 and the last one ended in 1952. These plans were designed to transform the Soviet Union from an agricultural country into an industrial powerhouse.

The key features of Stalin’s Five Year Plans are:

• Centralized Planning:  The Soviet government controlled all economic decisions, and the plans were created by a central planning agency. The government set targets for production, and factories were required to meet these targets.
• Industrialization:  The main goal of the Five Year Plans was to rapidly industrialize the Soviet Union. This was achieved through the construction of new factories, power plants, and transportation infrastructure.
• Collectivization:  The government forced farmers to give up their private land and join collective farms. This was done to increase agricultural productivity and provide a source of food for the growing urban population.
• Heavy Industry:  The Five Year Plans focused on the development of heavy industry, such as steel production and machine building. This was seen as essential for the modernization of the Soviet economy.
• Rapid Growth:  The Soviet Union experienced rapid economic growth during the Five Year Plans, with industrial production increasing by over 250% between 1928 and 1937.

Despite the successes of the Five Year Plans, there were also significant costs. The forced collectivization of agriculture led to widespread famine and the deaths of millions of people. The focus on heavy industry also meant that consumer goods were in short supply, and living standards for ordinary people were often low.

Writing the Essay: Tips and Strategies

When writing an essay about Stalin’s Five Year Plans, it is important to keep in mind the purpose of the essay. The purpose is to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the Five Year Plans in achieving their goals, and to provide evidence to support your arguments.

One tip for writing a successful essay is to start with a clear thesis statement. The thesis statement should clearly state your argument and provide a roadmap for the rest of the essay. It should be specific and concise, and should be supported by evidence from primary and secondary sources.

Another strategy for writing a successful essay is to organize your ideas into a logical structure. This can be done by creating an outline or a mind map, which will help you to identify the main points of your argument and how they relate to each other. You can then use this structure to guide the writing process, ensuring that each paragraph and section of the essay contributes to the overall argument.

When writing the essay, it is important to use evidence to support your arguments. This can include statistics, quotes from primary sources, and analysis of secondary sources. It is also important to acknowledge and address counterarguments, as this will demonstrate that you have considered multiple perspectives and have a nuanced understanding of the topic.

Finally, it is important to proofread and edit your essay carefully. This will ensure that the essay is free from errors and is presented in a clear and concise manner. You can also ask a friend or family member to read over your essay and provide feedback, as this can help you to identify areas for improvement and refine your argument.

Sample Outline for an Essay on Stalin’s Five Year Plans

When writing an essay on Stalin’s Five Year Plans, it’s important to have a clear and well-organized outline. This will help you stay focused and ensure that your essay is coherent and easy to follow. Here is a sample outline to get you started:

I. Introduction

• Brief overview of Stalin’s Five Year Plans
• Thesis statement

II. Background Information

• Historical context and political climate in Soviet Union during the time of the Five Year Plans
• Overview of the economic conditions in the Soviet Union before the implementation of the Five Year Plans

III. Implementation of the Five Year Plans

• Overview of the first, second, and third Five Year Plans
• Details on the specific goals and targets of each plan
• Discussion on the methods used to achieve these goals, including collectivization and industrialization

IV. Impact of the Five Year Plans

• Economic outcomes of the Five Year Plans, including improvements in industrial production and agricultural output
• Social impacts of the Five Year Plans, including changes in living standards and working conditions
• Political implications of the Five Year Plans, including the consolidation of Stalin’s power and the impact on Soviet foreign policy

V. Criticisms of the Five Year Plans

• Overview of the criticisms leveled against the Five Year Plans, including their impact on the environment and human rights abuses
• Discussion on the validity of these criticisms and their impact on the legacy of the Five Year Plans

VI. Conclusion

• Restatement of thesis
• Summary of key points
• Final thoughts on the significance of the Five Year Plans in Soviet history

By following this outline, you can ensure that your essay on Stalin’s Five Year Plans is well-structured and informative. Remember to use credible sources and avoid making exaggerated or false claims. Good luck!

Stalin’s Five Year Plans were a significant milestone in the history of the Soviet Union. They were aimed at transforming the country from an agrarian society into an industrialized one. The plans were successful in achieving the desired results, but at a great cost. The human toll was immense, with millions of people dying due to famine and forced labor. The plans were also criticized for their lack of focus on consumer goods and their overemphasis on heavy industry.

Despite the criticisms, the Five Year Plans had a lasting impact on the Soviet Union. They laid the foundation for the country’s industrialization and helped it become a superpower. The plans also set the stage for the country’s involvement in World War II and its eventual victory over Nazi Germany.

Writing an essay on Stalin’s Five Year Plans requires a deep understanding of the historical context and the impact of the plans on the Soviet Union. It is important to present a balanced view of the plans, highlighting both their achievements and their shortcomings. By doing so, the essay can provide a nuanced understanding of one of the most significant events in Soviet history.

Share this:

Leave a comment cancel reply.

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Home — Essay Samples — History — Joseph Stalin — Joseph Stalin’s Reign of Terror

Joseph Stalin's Reign of Terror

• Categories: Joseph Stalin Reign of Terror

About this sample

Words: 1139 |

Published: Nov 6, 2018

Words: 1139 | Pages: 3 | 6 min read

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: History

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 541 words

4 pages / 1856 words

1 pages / 1035 words

1 pages / 473 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Joseph Stalin, one of the most infamous and enigmatic figures in history, is often associated with ruthless tactics and totalitarian rule during his time as the leader of the Soviet Union. His reign, marked by purges, forced [...]

Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, was known for his distinctive and iconic military-style uniforms. His choice to consistently wear these uniforms has sparked much [...]

Totalitarianism is a political system in which the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible. This form of government is characterized by a [...]

Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, is often remembered for his ruthless tactics and extreme paranoia. His reign was characterized by a constant fear of betrayal and a [...]

After the death of Lenin in 1924, the USSR has reached a major challenge of deciding who was to take charge over the country. The main power struggle prevailed amid Stalin and Trotsky, two committed members of the Bolshevik [...]

This paper includes a comparison between Joseph Stalin and the non- idealistic, successful prince created by Niccolo Machiavelli. Niccolo Machiavelli portrayed how this realistic leader should be in his book, The Prince. [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

Joseph Stalin - Free Essay Examples and Topic Ideas

Joseph Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, Also known as Joseph Stalin was a Russian man who came from a broken home. A poor man who was supposed to be a priest, but instead went on to lead and become the dictator of the USSR. A man who later changed adopted the name “Stalin” which meant ‘man of steel’. One may ask themselves, was Stalin a good leader? The biggest question to me is, was he a genius or a monster? And with all the facts on the table, it proves to be that he was both.

• 📘 Free essay examples for your ideas about Joseph Stalin
• 🏆 Best Essay Topics on Joseph Stalin
• ⚡ Simple & Joseph Stalin Easy Topics
• 🎓 Good Research Topics about Joseph Stalin
• 📖 Essay guide on Joseph Stalin
• ❓ Questions and Answers

Essay examples

Essay topic.

Save to my list

Remove from my list

• Timeline in The World History of The Xx Century
• Joseph Stalin’s Reign of Terror
• Analysis of The Things that Made Stalin Who He Was
• Controversial Hero Joseph Stalin
• Joseph Stalin: a “Good” but “Evil” Dictator
• The Dictatorship of Joseph Stalin: The Power of Propaganda
• How J. Stalin Became a Father of Nations: a Look into His Early Life and The Beginning of The Career
• Neo-kantianism and Stalinism
• The Life of Joseph Stalin and His Influence on The World
• The Use of The Concept of Totalitarianism to Understand The Soviet Experience
• Why Joseph Stalin is a Villain?
• Joseph Stalin and First Five-Year Plan
• Joseph Stalin’s Great Terror
• The Extent of The Struggle for Power Between Stalin and Trotsky
• Joseph Stalin – The Father of The Ussr
• Joseph Stalin as a Machiavellian Leader
• Was the Cold War Inevitable and the Reasons Why
• John Joseph Gotti Jr.
• Joseph Campbell’s ‘The Hero’s Journey’
• Comparing the Herakles Myth with Joseph Campbell’s Hero Myth List
• A Portrayal of Joseph Stalin: Life Path and Political Career
• British Communist Historiography Prior to 1956 and a Two-Page Biography Written by Rothstein
• Biography of Joseph Stalin – National Hero Or Cold-Blooded Murderer?
• What Caused the Cold War: Relationship Between U.S. and Ussr
• Book Review of Joseph Andrews

A man who gets things done

Joseph Stalin was, as history has proven, a man who gets things done. He really made a name for himself and he really did prove himself as ‘the man of steel’ from the get go. Stalin was a very persuasive man. He started becoming like this when he was working for ‘Pravda’, Bolshevik newspaper. He uses a form of propaganda to give the Bolshevik the upper hand when it comes to voting for a ruler.

Using terror

Stalin also did some very terrible things, even before it was thought that he would have dictatorship of the USSR. In 1901, Joseph carries on with his revolutionary activities, organizing strikes and protests. In 1907 Joseph steals 250,000 rubles (approximately $3.4m in US dollars) in a bank robbery in Tiflis to help fund the cause. Stalin even helps break Lenin out of prison in 1917.

As Lenin starts getting old, Stalin is already strategizing his way of beating Trotsky and gain favor from the citizens and the Bolshevik party. Once Stalin gained that favor, he had gotten Trotsky as soon as he had become dictator of the Soviet Union. Even from the start, he had used terror to get rid of his opposition or anyone that would cost him dictatorship.

Focusing on the right things

As cruel as Stalin was, especially to those that he opposed, he was a very smart man. And when he was leading the Soviet Union, he did focus on the right things. An example of this was the Five Year Plans, a system which Stalin created to modernize the country, improve the economy and make the Soviet Union an industrialized state. All of this was aimed at the agriculture and the industrialization.

Stalin had done a lot when it came to industrialization. With his ‘ Five Year Plan’, new towns had been created. There were many extensions of heavy industries like coal, steel, electricity etc. new roads, railways and canals were built for different modes of transport and transportation of goods. Stalin also focused on the school of children, and even allowed adult literacy classes to produce skilled work forces and improve people’s knowledge of different things.

All of this led to there being jobs available for most people, better health care and education, public entertainment, and better yet, he really improved the standard of living in the USSR.

The Great Terror

At the same time though, Stalin was a very ruthless man. In the 1930’s, he had instituted Purges or Great Terror. Millions of people were executed or sent to forced labor camps, sort of like concentration camps. He had show trials, where he would investigate the people who he thought were against him. Most of them were executed, the rest were sent to labor camps. Stalin had a purge of the communist party. Millions were expelled, the leaders were imprisoned or killed, and even Trotsky, was killed. He killed lots of different people, from officials to citizens that had opposed him. The sum of bodies was about 20 million people altogether.

The words that Stalin had said to his people really showed how much of a monster he is. One of Stalin’s famous quotes was “Death is a solution to all problems. No man – no problem”. These were the words said from Joseph Stalin, and these really showed the monster part of him as well. He showed that he thought that all the killing happening, was the right thing and it was supposed to happen.

A monster of a genius

With all the facts and information included, a conclusion can be given to the question ‘’Was Stalin a monster or a genius?’”. And as stated before, Stalin seems to be both. He does make USSR a leading industrial power, but at the same time, he gets this by killing 20 million Russians. So it is right to say that he is both. But if we had to say which one he is more of, he is definitely more a monster than a genius.

FAQ about Joseph Stalin

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.