Special Opps Stalin

The Rise:
o What was the state of the Russia prior to Stalin
rising to power?
Things to Consider:
The economic state of the nation
Czar Nicholas II
The current ruler and how his
rule was not effective
How the ppl feel about the
current leader and why
Living conditions of ppl and the
morale of the ppl (how they felt
about being Russian)
What is Communism and the
communist leader (Lenin) and
Russian Revolution
Promises made to the people
(to their wellbeing, the
economy, etc how they
boosted morale)
Political ideologies (beliefs)
How and why did the
ideologies appeal to the
public?
o How did Stalin rise in the ranks of the Communist
Party? (under Lenin)
Things to Consider:
o How did his work with Lenin help him
advance?
o What positions did he hold? What
was he able to do in these positions?
o Interaction with other ranking
Communist Party members?
o His reputation with the people?
o How did Stalin gain ultimate power? How did they
become dictator?
Things to Consider:
Did he have to overthrow someone?
Were there opponents who needed
to be eliminated? How did he
eliminate them?
How did he solidify his power as the
dictator? How did he seal the deal?
Maintaining Power:
o How did Stalin improve the economy?
Things to Consider:
His proposition to change the face of
Russia in a short period of time?
Taxes? Lowering? Bonds?
Creation of jobs?
Creation of programs and
organizations which stimulated
growth?
Economic plans?
Money?
o How did Stalin use their military to his advantage?
Things to Consider:
Protect the state govt/enforce law
Purges of government cabinets? Of
people? Why? Effectiveness?
The expansion of territory/invasions
of other countries
o How did your dictator maintain control of the
people?
Things to Consider:
How did Stalin use the military
control the ppl?
Usage of propaganda
Usage of fear (what would happen to
them if he was no longer there to
protect them?)
Bribes?
Stalins Paranoia?
Intimidation/Fear to show what
happens when they are disobeyed
The USSRs WWII Involvement
o Role in WWII
Things to consider:
Who were his allies at the beginning
of the war?
Why did he choose those allies?
Were there any benefits of
allying himself with these other
world powers?
Finances of WWII and the effect
it had upon the USSR
Why did he switch allies?
Why did he choose those allies?
Were there any benefits of
allying himself with these other
world powers over his previous
allies?
Finances of WWII and the effect
it had upon the USSR?
o How did the USSRs involvement in WWII affect
the people?
Things to consider:
Morale of the people?
Economic stability of the
country during the war
Overall health and welfare
of the people