History Essays

My belief is that Lenin had a greater impact on Russian history, as Stalin’s accomplishments were built upon those of Lenin. Consequently, the leadership and guidance provided by Lenin was crucial for both figures. Despite the fact that Lenin was responsible for bringing about the establishment of communism and maintaining it during the Civil War, […]

Q1) ‘Brought glory to Stalin’ – was this the only, or most important reason why Stalin embarked on his industrialisation programme?Russia had always been (and still is) a late developer compared to other countries even though it was very rich in raw materials, mainly coal, oil and steel. Stalin who came to power after Lenin […]

Stalin came to power in 1928 after cleverly outsmarting his political opponents by playing them off against each other, while he remained an unlikely source of leader until only he remained. Stalin changed the economic footing of Russia enormously. Industrialization, the development of industry was massive. After 13 years, production figures for almost all products […]

Despite Lenin’s warning of potential abuse of power, Stalin controversially seized control after his death. He engaged in a power struggle with Trotsky and eventually convinced the Communist Party that he was the legitimate leader. After winning, Stalin ousted Trotsky from the political party and eventually had him killed by one of his agents. Stalin’s […]

1. Lenin knew that sooner or later he was going to die, and after his death had a fair idea that either Stalin or Trotsky would succeed him. Source A extracts parts of Lenin’s testaments that show his opinion of these two powers at this point. He obviously liked Trotsky and in most aspects saw […]

Stalin’s economic policies were successful to an extent, especially when looking at the increases in production of heavy industry. However they also failed in several important areas such as agriculture, meaning the overall success was limited. Also, when evaluated in terms of the effects on the people of the Soviet Union, the policies had, in […]

Mr. Alderson commissioned me to add a left-wing vibe to the magazine, so I have chosen a topic that will be familiar and relatable to most readers. Despite living in 21st century Western Europe where there are guarantees of freedom of speech, worship and body art, and relatively free from fear of big brother, I […]

By the time of Josef Stalin’s death in 1953, the face and structure of Russia had changed forever. Two leaders had interpreted Marxism in different and apparently opposite ways and the country still bore the scars. There is an almost romantic stereotype which dominates traditional history of the Soviet Union, which is perhaps best exemplified […]

Stalin claimed to be an allegiant follower of Lenin’s Marxist legacy. But practically, his heavy revision of Lenin’s policies made this claim doubtful. This essay will discuss both sides, on what Stalin had enshrined or extended, and what he had discarded from Lenin’s legacy.Politically, the core of Lenin’s party ethos, namely Socialism was preserved. Stalin […]

When answering this question there are 3 main factors to consider: Stalin’s strengths, Trotsky’s weaknesses, and wildcard factors (luck or chance). Trotsky inadvertently plotted his own downfall, he was simply unequipped for politics and the power struggle, and his place was on the battlefield in a military uniform. Trotsky was an amazing orator but had […]

The race for power in Russia began following the recovery of the Russian economy when Lenin after suffering several strokes and paralysis eventually died in the January of 1924 leaving the Russian people in mourning.For many people at the time Trotsky seemed like the obvious replacement for the almighty Lenin, and it was perhaps because […]

Vladmir Lenin was the leader of the Bolsheviks who seized power in November 1917. He died in January 1924 after a series of strokes that left him completely paralysed, and eventually killed him. When he died, he left no clues as to whom he wanted to succeed him as ruler of the USSR, even though […]

1. What role did the United States and Great Britain play in the Russian Revolution? How did this participation affect the relationship between the Bolsheviks and the West?- The United States and Great Britain sent their own troops to fight the Russian Revolution against the Bolsheviks and communism. This participation effects the relationship between the […]

George Orwell’s book Animal Farm (published in1943) is a children’s story, but when closely examined, it proves to be an allegory to the Russian Revolution. The events in the book are very closely related to the actual events from The Russian Revolution. Also, the animals (main-characters) are historically referring to the Communist leaders such as […]

George Orwell wrote Animal Farm in 1945. Animal Farm was meant to portray the Russian Revolution that was going on at the time. If Orwell were to openly oppose the ways of the communist party he would have undoubtedly been prosecuted. Instead Orwell wrote Animal Farm to express his hatred for communism in a discreet […]

Stalin’s support of the Spanish Republic during their Civil War, through the supply of weapons and ‘volunteers’, appeared to be an effort to assist international communism in defeating Franco. Many contemporary historians argue that the perspective that the USSR provided aid to support the Spanish Republic solely out of ideological solidarity is too simplistic. Instead, […]

This Is a question that people all across the world have attempted to answer, but the answer Is always out of reach. Researchers have studied the philosophies of old philosophers like John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Plato, and Thomas Hobbes, in order to answer this question but never quite get a definitive answer. They have […]

Stalin totally hanged the country. When he gained power the economy was still based on agriculture and the majority of people lived in the countryside; when he died, the country was a global superpower, with a huge heavy industry sector and the majority of the people lived in cites. He achieved these through two policies; […]

I think that Stalin’s political powerbases were one of the main reasons he emerged as leader of Soviet Russia by the end of 1929. Obviously there were other factors that aided him, such as the alliances he formed, and even his personality. Obviously I don’t think that it was all down to one factor alone […]

This article presents some preliminary empirical findings about the impact of the great terror in Leningrad (city and oblast’). The sheer scale of the purges makes a quantitative analysis of their impact viable, even within a very limited time span and within a defined geographical region. Leningrad itself offers an interesting case study because of […]

To answer this question with total understanding as to Orwell’s vision, we must first be aware of his personal feelings towards the revolution that took place in Russia, and translate it to, in ‘Animal Farm’, the rebellion of a group of farm animals. And in ‘1984’ Watson’s need of rebellion. Orwell’s vision of society in […]

The government in USA was deeply unhappy with the Communism’s expansion to eastern Europe, which seemed to go further and further, threatening the power of capitalism. Traditionally America’s policy was based on isolationism, but the threat of Communism expansion made the Americans realise that this was no longer possible if it wanted to have a […]