Stalinism

Stalinism is a brand of political theory, and the political and economic system implemented by Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union.

Points of view on Stalinism

After Stalin's death in 1953, his successor Nikita Khrushchev repudiated his policies, condemned Stalin's cult of personality in his Secret Speech to the Twentieth Party Congress in 1956, and instituted destalinization and liberalisation (within the same political framework). Consequently, most of the world's Communist parties, who previously adhered to Stalinism, abandoned it and, to a greater or lesser degree, adopted the moderately reformist positions of Khruschchev. The notable exception was the People's Republic of China, which under Mao Zedong grew antagonistic towards the new Soviet leadership's "revisionism", resulting in the Sino-Soviet Split in 1960. Subsequently China independently pursued the ideology of Maoism; Albania took the Chinese party's side in the Sino-Soviet Split and remained committed to Stalinism for decades thereafter under the leadership of Enver Hoxha.

Related Topics:
1953 - Nikita Khrushchev - Cult of personality - Secret Speech - Twentieth Party Congress - 1956 - Destalinization - People's Republic of China - Mao Zedong - Revisionism - Sino-Soviet Split - 1960 - Maoism - Albania - Chinese party - Enver Hoxha

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Some historians draw parallels between Stalinism and the economic policy of Tsar Peter the Great. Both men desperately wanted Russia to catch up to the western European states. Both succeeded to an extent, turning Russia temporarily into Europe's leading power. Others compare Stalin with Ivan IV of Russia, with his policies of oprichnina and restriction of the liberties of common people.

Related Topics:
Tsar - Peter the Great - Russia - European - Ivan IV of Russia - Oprichnina

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