Steps
Origins
After Lenin’s death, Stalin assumed the modest image of a hard-working man of moderation.
- Took on the mantle of Lenin’s disciple and servant
- ‘Stalin …’
Upon early Descember 1929, the party and media began to build up the representation of Stalin as a hero, equating his political thinking to to Marx and Lenin.
Example: Pravda called on on the party and people to unite around ‘Lenin’s most faithful and dedicated pupil and associate’.
Formation
For Stalin’s 50th birthday in 1929, he received 350 greetings, including non-existant organisations.
- He was portrayed as Lenin’s most … pupil
- …
Establishment
Stalin’s image is used to reassure people that they had a strong leader to help assure people throughout the disruption of the First Five-Year Plan and the confusion of terror.
Artistic productions promoted the Stalin cult, Socialist Realist art to glorify his role.
History of the All-Union Communist Party
History of the All-Union Communist Party is established in 1938 in which history is reinterpreted in Stalin’s favour. It would remove important Bolsheviks such as Trotsky.
Further Development
Throughout the 1930s, the ‘cult of personality’ developed further, portraying Stlain as the ‘father of the nation’ who had saved the Soviet Union from its enemies.
It would portray him as an expert in both science and culture.
…
Generalissimo
After WWII, Stalin portrayed himself as the one who had saved the ‘motherland’ of the Soviet Union.
Height of Cult (‘High Stalinism’)
- Stalin’s image is portrayed everywhere with his power cemented by his success as a war leader.
- His childhood home became a shrine.
- Portraits showed him in god-like solitude, superior and apart.
- …