Post WW2

• Paranoid Stalin believed that the Leningrad communist party had become too popular and independent as result of its victory in the war.

  1949: Decided to reinforce authority by arresting 200 of the Party's leading members.

  • They were accused of invented crimes, ranging from corruption to spying for Britain.

  These members were issued prison terms of 10-25 years.

  Around 2,000 more officials were removed from their positions and exiled from their city, losing their home and other property.
• It's difficult to know today what people thought of Stalin, in 1945 manipulating methods of controlling the people continued under Stalin, and he continued to be presented as a 'God-like figure'

  • There were no free elections or alternative political parties to Stalin's to support
  • The press was heavily controlled
  • Opinion polls did not exist
  • People were unable to speak freely