Stalin Unit
Introductory Essay
The Stalin unit covers from 1924-1953. Most of the emphasis on this unit is placed on Stalin's internal policies and the nature of his strongly totalitarian style. Much of Stalin's foreign policy activities are covered in other units (Interwar, ww2, Cold War), so there isn't as much emphasis here. This is a major prep for a Paper Two SPS (Single Party States) question, of interest to HL and SL students.
Some useful generalizations can be made about Stalin: without question, Stalin's influence towers over Post Tsarist Russian society even today. The major question students need to wrestle with regarding Stalin is: was he a negative or a positive for Russia? or, was he a killer? or a saviour?... or, a combination of both? Be able to defend whatever position you choose.
Stalin/USSR Websites
Depictions of Stalin: Past and Future
Revelations from the Russian Archives
Syllabus readings
Please ask Mr. Faught for the URL containing the readings.