Email Interview with Alexis Pogorelskin
Associate Professor of History at the University of Minnesota
Specialist in Russian, Soviet, and post-Soviet history
April 7, 2015
What conditions were prevalent in the leadership of Czar Nicholas II that led to widespread dissent and the resulting revolution?
Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra Fedorovna were unpopular because the Tsarina as a German was perceived as disloyal to Russia. It was believed that Rasputin controlled them and he was notoriously pro-German. Nicholas had taken over control of the army from his uncle just when military disasters plagued the Russian armies fighting the Germans. By 1917 the supply and transport system was breaking down and the major cities of Russia were facing serious food shortages.
How did Joseph Stalin seek to improve the Soviet Union's industry and agriculture? What policies did he enact in aims of increasing the efficiency and productivity of the country? What were the results of such policies?
Stalin imposed what had been Trotsky's ideas for Russian economic development: fast-paced industrialization and the forced collectivization of agriculture. Collectivization led to the Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933 and grave dislocation in agricultural production. In industry there were draconian measures employed to increase production but no right to strike.
How was Joseph Stalin portrayed in media and literature throughout the Soviet Union? How did this influence the citizens’ views towards their leader?
A cult of Stalin monopolized the Soviet media from 1929 onwards. Stalin's word became the touchstone for life in the Soviet Union.
What are some notable impacts of Joseph Stalin’s leadership?
Stalin imposed draconian economic policies. He purged the party. In the process fear dominated Soviet life. Who would be taken next? He purged the military and signed a pact with Hitler that left the Soviet Union unprepared for the German invasion. He almost totally cut Russia off from the West after World War II and refused to negotiate with his former allies after 1945 triggering the Cold War. He prepared for another great purge of his own people by 1952.
What were the primary causes of the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991? How does the Soviet Union’s collapse relate to the leadership and legacy of Joseph Stalin?
The regime collapsed in 1991 over two matters. The Soviet empire was unraveling and the political and military elite tried to overthrow Gorbachev. Stalin's planned economy and control of agriculture had failed. His nationality policy was coming undone and the plummeting price of oil meant that the regime could no longer sustain itself. We had pursued a policy designed to lower oil prices world-wide which proved disastrous for Gorbachev.
How is the Putin regime managing the still-prevalent legacy of Joseph Stalin? Does the current Russian government view Stalin’s actions as positive or negative?
Putin tries to portray himself as a latter day Stalin-tough, strong, will not be pushed around by the West. Stalin's image is being white-washed in the following ways. He put Russia on the world stage-to be respected and feared. He was a strong leader-not a tyrant. Putin would like to be compared favorably to Stalin. In general, Stalin is viewed more favorably than he would be under a liberal leadership.
Are you aware of any neo-Stalinist groups currently existing in Russia, and if so, what are the main principles and actions of Joseph Stalin that these groups or individuals support?
There are neo-Stalinist groups today. Nashi, for example. They tend to be super patriotic and ardent followers of Putin's policy in Chechnya and Ukraine.
Overall, do you believe that the atrocities committed during the leadership of Joseph Stalin are adequately justified by the successes achieved as a result of his leadership?
Nothing justifies mass murder and imposing terror on a whole people. What successes Stalin had came at a brutal price imposed on the Soviet people.
Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra Fedorovna were unpopular because the Tsarina as a German was perceived as disloyal to Russia. It was believed that Rasputin controlled them and he was notoriously pro-German. Nicholas had taken over control of the army from his uncle just when military disasters plagued the Russian armies fighting the Germans. By 1917 the supply and transport system was breaking down and the major cities of Russia were facing serious food shortages.
How did Joseph Stalin seek to improve the Soviet Union's industry and agriculture? What policies did he enact in aims of increasing the efficiency and productivity of the country? What were the results of such policies?
Stalin imposed what had been Trotsky's ideas for Russian economic development: fast-paced industrialization and the forced collectivization of agriculture. Collectivization led to the Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933 and grave dislocation in agricultural production. In industry there were draconian measures employed to increase production but no right to strike.
How was Joseph Stalin portrayed in media and literature throughout the Soviet Union? How did this influence the citizens’ views towards their leader?
A cult of Stalin monopolized the Soviet media from 1929 onwards. Stalin's word became the touchstone for life in the Soviet Union.
What are some notable impacts of Joseph Stalin’s leadership?
Stalin imposed draconian economic policies. He purged the party. In the process fear dominated Soviet life. Who would be taken next? He purged the military and signed a pact with Hitler that left the Soviet Union unprepared for the German invasion. He almost totally cut Russia off from the West after World War II and refused to negotiate with his former allies after 1945 triggering the Cold War. He prepared for another great purge of his own people by 1952.
What were the primary causes of the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991? How does the Soviet Union’s collapse relate to the leadership and legacy of Joseph Stalin?
The regime collapsed in 1991 over two matters. The Soviet empire was unraveling and the political and military elite tried to overthrow Gorbachev. Stalin's planned economy and control of agriculture had failed. His nationality policy was coming undone and the plummeting price of oil meant that the regime could no longer sustain itself. We had pursued a policy designed to lower oil prices world-wide which proved disastrous for Gorbachev.
How is the Putin regime managing the still-prevalent legacy of Joseph Stalin? Does the current Russian government view Stalin’s actions as positive or negative?
Putin tries to portray himself as a latter day Stalin-tough, strong, will not be pushed around by the West. Stalin's image is being white-washed in the following ways. He put Russia on the world stage-to be respected and feared. He was a strong leader-not a tyrant. Putin would like to be compared favorably to Stalin. In general, Stalin is viewed more favorably than he would be under a liberal leadership.
Are you aware of any neo-Stalinist groups currently existing in Russia, and if so, what are the main principles and actions of Joseph Stalin that these groups or individuals support?
There are neo-Stalinist groups today. Nashi, for example. They tend to be super patriotic and ardent followers of Putin's policy in Chechnya and Ukraine.
Overall, do you believe that the atrocities committed during the leadership of Joseph Stalin are adequately justified by the successes achieved as a result of his leadership?
Nothing justifies mass murder and imposing terror on a whole people. What successes Stalin had came at a brutal price imposed on the Soviet people.