With the death of Stalin in March 1953 and the soon-to-follow process of de-Stalinization under Khrushchev, socialist realism as a movement finally begins its slow succumb to scrutiny… but not without a lot of mixed signals and zig-zags from the Soviet … Continue reading →
Tag: Stalin
Joseph Stalin: Lead the Way
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As World War II started to involve the United States, the Soviet Union, along with Great Britain, created the Grand Alliance. Through his leadership, Stalin relied on the idea of unity in order to create hope for the Soviet Union in a time of war. While the country faced the reality of a possible invasion,… Continue reading Joseph Stalin: Lead the Way →
Soviet National Anthem
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Russia is perhaps one of the only countries in the world whose anthem reveals so much about that country’s past. “God Save the Tsar” obviously was no longer appropriate after the February Revolution of 1917; “The Internationale,” the French piece which replaced the … Continue reading →
“Savage Minorities” and Paranoia
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A Russian victory in World War II was necessary for the reassertion of their legitimacy. 70+ years have passed since the Russian defeat over Nazi Germany, resulting in economic, political, and social upheaval once again; aimed at those who were “different” than the political elites. Stalin also felt compounding stress from: “[t]he Soviet Union, at … Continue reading “Savage Minorities” and Paranoia
Cult of Personality: Stalin versus Hitler
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In Chapter 11 of Russia a History, Freeze compares Stalin and the Nazi’s rise to power. This was a compelling observation to me so I looked into “The Cult of Personality” in Seventeen Moments which describes this as “a situation in which a public figure (such as a political leader) is deliberately presented to the … Continue reading Cult of Personality: Stalin versus Hitler
The Assassination of Sergei Kirov and the Power of Rumor
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December of 1934 marked a lethal turn in Stalin’s rule over the Soviet Union. The event in question was the assassination of First Secretary of the Leningrad Party Sergei Kirov on December 1st, 1934. Kirov was a popular member of the Politbiuro who was gaining more and more popularity until his untimely death. In the …
Continue reading “The Assassination of Sergei Kirov and the Power of Rumor”
Lev’s Slow Downfall and Demise
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Leon Trotsky, a Marxist revolutionary and theorist, played a huge part in Soviet history in the 1900s. He helped transfer political power to the Soviets with the October Revolution in 1917 and helped form the Red Army. During the
The Marvelous Metro
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Walking into any of the Moscow metro stations today, as shown in these pictures, you’re stepping into a place that could be described as an underground art gallery. From intricate arches to massive murals, these metro stations are worlds different than the DC metro that a majority of us are more accustomed to. However, these … Continue reading The Marvelous Metro
The Power of Patriotism
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According to Dictionary.com, patriotism is a “devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country; national loyalty.” Similarly, nationalism is a “devotion and loyalty to one’s own country; patriotism.” Ironically, patriotism is often seen as an admirable quality to possess because of the pride one feels for their country, whereas nationalism is often met with … Continue reading The Power of Patriotism
We Love the Leader
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The Cult of Personality that rose up around Stalin in the 30’s is a phenomenon which reached even beyond Soviet borders, twice being chosen as Time’s Man of the Year in ’39 and ’42. Rallying around Stalin was nevertheless a … Continue reading →
