Stalin’s Personality and Personal Objectives

Rylee LevineChristopher Hallstrand

Elizabeth Lugones

Definition:A cult of personality arises when an individual uses

mass media, propaganda, or other methods to create an idealized, heroic, and at times worshipful

image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.

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“Thank you, dear Stalin, for our happy childhood!”

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Importance of the personality cult to Russia & the role it played in the communist system

Association with Lenin:

● The Soviet press maintained that Stalin and Lenin were close companions, and Stalin closely followed Lenin’s teachings and could continue the Bolshevik legacy.

● Stalin publicly defended Lenin’s infallibility, implying that his own leadership is similarly faultless, since he is a “faithful follower” of Leninism.

● Before 1932, most Soviet propaganda featured Stalin and Lenin together; eventually, the press merged the two figures as Stalin became the embodiment of Lenin.

● Eventually, Stalin alone (instead of Lenin and Stalin) became the professed cause of Soviet well-being.

● Stalin had a tendency to make himself seem superior to previous Russian leaders. He had statues made of him approximating the height and build of Tsar Alexander III, but in reality he was much smaller.

Importance of the personality cult to Russia & the role it played in the communist system

Stalin as a father figure:

● Stalin was often seen engaging in publicized gift giving exchanges with Soviet children. The phrase “Thank you dear comrade Stalin for a happy childhood” appeared above doorways at nurseries, orphanages, and schools.

● This image of Stalin as a “father” was used by Soviet propagandists who aimed to incorporate traditional religious symbols and language into the cult of personality

● The title of father now belonged to Stalin instead of Russian orthodox priests.● The cult of personality also adopted the Christian traditions of procession and

devotion to icons through Stalin parades and effigies.● By doing this, the media was hoping to shift devotion away from the church

and towards Stalin, playing into the overall communist system of the time.

Importance of the personality cult to Russia & the role it played in the communist system

Presence in the Politburo

Stalin’s cult of personality existed only among the Soviet masses. It was not present among the members of the Politburo. Stalin’s low tolerance for dissent within the Party made members/officials hesitant to express their opinions. He had a tendency to kill and/or exile people.

Fear and self-censorship created an illusion of governmental support for Stalin, which further persuaded others (Soviet masses) to follow suit.

This was important in a communist system, especially Stalin’s, as it limited the number of rebelling/opposing forces.

Was Stalin loved, feared, rejected, revered?A case could be made that Stalin was loved, feared, rejected, and revered. However, focusing on the Russian people, they most likely feared him more than loved him.

Because Stalin’s cult personality became such a prominent part of Soviet Russia, there were many who loved Stalin as they were heavily influenced by the propaganda. So, it's to be questioned whether they actually “loved” him.

The intense political correctness of the time required that Stalin be publicly referred to as the faultless leader and inspirer of the nation. If they were to speak out against him, the consequences would be severe.

Was Stalin loved, feared, rejected, revered?It’s important to note that the ‘admiration’ that the people felt was not a spontaneous response. It was in fact imposed from above (government).

The image of Stalin as a hero and saviour was manufactured, a product of the Communist Party machine.

“Stalin did not rely on terror alone, but also on the support of the majority of the people; effectively deceived by cunning propaganda, they gave Stalin credit for the successes of others and even for ‘achievements’ that were in fact totally fictitious.”

Was Stalin loved, feared, rejected, revered?Stalin had a low tolerance for dissent within the party so members feared to express their honest viewpoints on Stalin.

Because they feared the consequences of them speaking out, they kept their mouths shut and became good little soldiers. Party leaders throughout the Soviet Union emulated the dictator's usual outfit of green jacket, boots, and a cap to prove their devotion.

This created an illusion to the people of an undisputed government support for Stalin, so this only fueled the cult mentality.

Was Stalin loved, feared, rejected, revered?The applause that greeted his every appearance in public or in cinema newsreels was more likely to have been a matter of prudence than of real affection.

There was no way opposition for Stalin could be voiced as the gulag was full of comrades who had spoken out of turn.

Also, because of Stalin’s policies such cultivation which led to famine and the use of terror (great purges) it seems more likely that the reason people expressed their “love” for Stalin, was more out of fear than genuine affection.

Example of Stalin’s Image in his Propaganda ● Picture of Engelsina Markizova with Joseph Stalin● Engelsina was the daughter of the People’s

Commissar for Agriculture in the Buryat-Mongol region.

● Her father was accused of being a Japanese spy, a Trotskyite, and conspiring against Stalin.

○ Stalin had him tried and executed● Nevertheless Stalin used this to promote his image

Other Examples● Rewriting of Soviet history to give Stalin a more significant role in the

October Revolution in 1917, usually at the expense of Trotsky being discredited. Other purged officials were also censored.

● His wisdom and brilliance was extolled and often exaggerated, and constantly mentioned in the media.

● His Birthday became a calendar holiday. ● Children were taught Stalin was the provider of all good things, and

presented as a God figure● Personification of everything great about the USSR● Publicly humble but sometimes referred to himself in 3rd person.

Top: Nikolai Yezhov- Former Head of NKVD and Commissar for Water Transportation censored

Bottom: Trotsky being removed from a photo with Lenin.