The Stalinist Era (New Approaches to European History, Series Number 57)

"Placing Stalinism in its international context, David L. Hoffmann presents a new interpretation of Soviet state intervention and violence. Many 'Stalinist' practices - the state-run economy, surveillance, propaganda campaigns, and the use of concentration camps - did not originate with Stalin or even in Russia, but were instead tools of governance that became widespread throughout Europe during the First World War. The Soviet system was formed at this moment of total war, and wartime practices of mobilization and state violence became building blocks of the new political order. Communist Party leaders in turn used these practices ruthlessly to pursue their ideological agenda of economic and social transformation. Synthesizing new research on Stalinist collectivization, industrialization, cultural affairs, gender roles, nationality policies, the Second World War, and the Cold War, Hoffmann provides a succinct account of this pivotal period in world history." -- Publisher's description In 2010, Communist Party Members In Zaporizhia, A City In Southeastern Ukraine, Erected A Statue Of Joseph Stalin. Attending The Monument's Unveiling Were Nearly One Thousand People, Including Many World War Ii Veterans Bedecked With Medals. After The Playing Of The Soviet National Anthem, One Speaker Called Out, 'long Live Stalin!' And The Audience Responded 'hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah!' Not All Of The City's Residents Welcomed The Stalin Monument With Such Enthusiasm. Several Months Later, Unidentified Protesters Used A Hacksaw To Cut Off The Statue's Head. A Few Days After That, The Decapitated Statue Was Blown Up Completely By A Homemade Bomb. Where The Stalin Statue Once Stood, Only An Empty Pedestal Remains-- Prelude To Stalinism -- Building Socialism (1928-33) -- Socialism Attained (1934-38) -- The Second World War (1939-45) -- The Postwar Years (1946-53). David L. Hoffmann. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "In 2010, Communist Party members in Zaporizhia, a city in southeastern Ukraine, erected a statue of Joseph Stalin. Attending the monument's unveiling were nearly one thousand people, including many World War II veterans bedecked with medals. After the playing of the Soviet national anthem, one speaker called out, 'Long live Stalin!' and the audience responded 'Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!' Not all of the city's residents welcomed the Stalin monument with such enthusiasm. Several months later, unidentified protesters used a hacksaw to cut off the statue's head. A few days after that, the decapitated statue was blown up completely by a homemade bomb. Where the Stalin statue once stood, only an empty pedestal remains"-- Provided by publisher Cover......Page 1 The Stalinist Era......Page 2 New Approaches to European History - Series page......Page 3 The Stalinist Era - Title page......Page 4 Copyright page......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Illustrations......Page 10 Maps......Page 12 Acknowledgments......Page 13 Abbreviations......Page 15 Introduction......Page 16 1 - Prelude to Stalinism......Page 24 2 - Building Socialism (1928–1933)......Page 59 3 - Socialism Attained (1934–1938)......Page 96 4 - World War II (1939–1945)......Page 132 5 - The Postwar Years (1946–1953)......Page 161 Conclusion......Page 187 Notes......Page 193 Index......Page 212 Placing Stalinism in its international context, David L. Hoffmann offers a new interpretation of Soviet state intervention and violence. Covering collectivization, industrialization, gender roles, nationality policies, the Gulag, the Second World War, and the Cold War, Hoffmann provides a succinct account of this pivotal period in world history.