Assess the impact Stalin had on Russia and on the Russian people Essay Example

five decades. Despite this obstacle, the measure functioned, though at a significant toll on human existence. Those who expressed skepticism towards the plan and considered it an imprudent allocation of funds were met with police action.

It was common for people who relocated to the cities Stalin had constructed to endure inhumane living conditions, including cramped living quarters and the absence of toilet facilities. Farmers, who had lived their entire lives tending to their fields, were reluctant to leave their homes at someone else's command. In response, Stalin resorted to employing brute force in moving them to factories where they helped construct railways or contributed to the production of coal, iron, and steel. The Soviet Union experienced food shortages, leading to starvation in several areas. Sadly, the death toll from famine reached up to 7 million.

Disease was rampant due to insufficient sewer systems, and the practice of religion had been outlawed after communism took hold. Stalin's regime was hostile towards those who practiced religion, and individuals were often persecuted and punished severely- including exile or death- if caught participating in secret religious services. The secret police typically discovered and dealt with these instances.

Due to his Marxist beliefs and the Russian Orthodox Church's association with the tsars, Stalin held a vehemently anti-religious stance. This, alongside many other significant alterations Stalin implemented to the way society operated, would have undoubtedly had a profound impact on the people of Russia. One such change was the requirement for an employee to obtain their boss's permission to switch jobs in 1926.

In order to avoid being reported by your employer and potentially prosecuted, it was important to be a good worker. If

you wished to become a member of an association, it had to receive government approval to prevent possible arrest. If you attempted to start your own business, you risked being arrested or killed.

Under Stalin's leadership, those with education and intelligence were frequently dispatched to Siberia or Kazakhstan for work that did not require mental agility since Stalin was concerned they might organize against his regime. Conversely, people who could work but refused to do so were classified as social parasites and exiled from urban areas to rural regions where they would perish unless they worked. As Hitler ascended in Germany, Stalin grew anxious and looked towards England and France because Hitler aimed to retake the Sudetenland.

Despite feeling disappointed by the absence of opposition to Hitler's initial triumphs, Stalin conducted covert talks with Germany while simultaneously corresponding with England and France. Eventually, on August 23, 1939, Russia penned a pact of non-aggression with the Nazis. The impetus behind this choice was rooted in Stalin's desire to propagate communism and take advantage of Nazi territorial expansion strategies. Consequently, when Germany invaded Poland, it sparked the commencement of World War II.

After winning the war against Finland, the Soviet Union obtained a small portion of its territory. However, this led to their expulsion from the League of Nations. At the same time, communism was on the rise in both Germany and the Soviet Union. Stalin became increasingly worried about a potential attack by Hitler.

After signing a treaty with Japan, Russia was invaded by Hitler in 1941. Stalin had been cautious of Hitler and was caught off guard due to his army being weakened from occupying other countries. Despite initial

success for the German attack, it was ultimately halted near Moscow at a distance of roughly 20 miles.

Although Stalin's leadership brought significant changes, his extreme paranoia led to the Great Purge between 1936 and 1938, during which he executed anywhere from 1.5 to 7 million members of opposing political parties. This paranoia was not new but had intensified towards the end of his life due to his consistent distrustfulness. He believed that opponents were plotting to assassinate him, resulting in these actions. Despite being considered one of history's most brutal dictators, positive developments occurred in Russia during Stalin's reign.

According to Amy Knight, a research specialist on The Soviet Union, while Stalin's policies were crucial in converting an agrarian society into a powerful industrialized nation with a strong military force, the negative consequences of his legacy are significant. These include the deaths of millions caused by his actions. Additionally, Stalin's distrust and aggression towards the West and insistence on Soviet supremacy in Eastern Europe played a critical role in sparking the Cold War. Lastly, his harsh police methods and societal purges have had a lasting impact on those who lived under his rule.

Although some Russians may have a positive opinion of Stalin, he is widely considered to be one of the most ruthless dictators in history by Western communities.