The Rise And Fall Of Classical Communism Fall 2020 Instructi ✓ Solved

The Rise And Fall Of Classical Communism Fall 2020 Instructions

Answer each aspect of the question below as an essay, NOT as short-answer responses, as thoughtfully and thoroughly as you can and using specific references from the readings to support your response. It should be four to five pages. In “The Tasks of Economic Executives” of 1931 and in “The Results of the First Five-Year Plan,” Parts I, II and III in 1933, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin outlined the motivations and the result of his policy of rapid industrialization of the USSR. Discuss the reasons given by Stalin in “The Tasks” as to why it was imperative that the Soviet Union industrialize as quickly as possible and what were the initial results of Stalin’s policy as expressed in his speech on “The Results of the First Five-Year Plan,” Parts I, II and III?

Stalin claimed that Russia had a long defeat of invasion, defeat and exploitation due to what he called Russian “backwardness,” and that “weak countries become defeated countries.” His critics, however, have responded that this was an excuse for his ruthless rule. Which of these views seem correct, and can both be true in your judgment? After Stalin’s death, however, Soviet leader Khrushchev denounced him for a long list of crimes. What according to this denunciation were Stalin’s crimes, why in Khrushchev’s view did Stalin behave in this manner, and what were some of the consequences of those crimes? Finally, examine the fall of European communism as discussed in the 2009 reflections of Mikhail Gorbachev in The Nation magazine on the resignations of Communist regimes in Europe and in chapters 10 and 14 of Edward Berenson’s Europe in the Modern World. What were the reasons behind the decline and fall of European Communism according to Berenson's chapters on the subject? Finally, why did Soviet leader Gorbachev decide to not interfere in the collapse of European Communist regimes outside the Soviet Union after decades of Soviet military backing for these regimes?

Paper For Above Instructions

The rise and fall of classical communism notably pivot around the policies of Joseph Stalin, who played a pivotal role in the rapid industrialization of the Soviet Union during the early 20th century. In his works, “The Tasks of Economic Executives” (1931) and “The Results of the First Five-Year Plan” (1933), Stalin justified the necessity for urgent industrialization. He argued that the backwardness of Russia, stemming from centuries of invasion and exploitation, necessitated immediate action to prevent the Soviet Union from becoming a victim of foreign powers.

Stalin’s rationale for rapid industrialization centered around the belief that 'weak countries become defeated countries.' His assertions reflect a historical perspective; Russia had faced numerous invasions and foreign dominations, which led him to conclude that without swift modernization, the USSR would remain vulnerable to external pressures. He articulated a vision in which industrial capabilities were essential for national unity, military strength, and overall economic resilience. Stalin contended that the socialist state needed to equip itself against the perils of imperialism, particularly citing the global capitalist environment that threatened communist ideals.

However, the initial results of Stalin's policies were mixed. The First Five-Year Plan aimed at transforming the USSR's economy from agrarian to industrial in a record time. While production rates in certain sectors like coal and steel increased, the human cost was significant. Labor camps and widespread oppression characterized this period, with millions of citizens subjected to forced labor. This led to debates around whether Stalin's brutal methods were justified in the quest for national strength. Critics often point out that the focus on heavy industry neglected consumer goods and agricultural production, resulting in shortages and widespread famine, particularly during the collectivization efforts.

Critics of Stalin argue that while his desire to industrialize was born out of concern for national security, the extent of his methods indicates a disregard for human life and ethical governance. Stalin’s justification can be interpreted as both an authentic response to real threats and a convenient excuse for the authoritarian regime he constructed. Each viewpoint reflects a broader discourse about the moral dimensions of leadership during times of perceived existential threats.

Following Stalin’s death, Nikita Khrushchev delivered a scathing denunciation of Stalin’s governance during the 20th Congress of the Communist Party in 1956. Khrushchev condemned Stalin's “Cult of Personality” and outlined several crimes, including the Great Purge, where millions were executed or sent to gulags, and the misunderstanding of socialism that led to economic failures. Khrushchev attributed these actions to Stalin’s paranoid nature and desire to consolidate power at all costs. The consequences of Stalin's rule extended beyond the individual tragedies; his policies instilled deep-rooted fears and mistrust in Soviet society, which influenced political dynamics for decades.

The disintegration of European communism later in the 20th century is intimately connected with the discontinuities within the USSR itself. Mikhail Gorbachev, who rose to power in the 1980s, introduced reforms like Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring), aiming to revitalize the stagnating Soviet economy. Gorbachev's approach fundamentally contrasted with that of his predecessors. In his 2009 interview reflected in The Nation, Gorbachev acknowledged that the policies he implemented inadvertently led to the weakening of the Communist Party’s grip on Eastern Europe. His refusal to deploy military force to save Eastern European regimes during their uprisings signaled a major shift in Soviet doctrine.

The reasons behind the decline of European communism are detailed in Edward Berenson’s chapters. Berenson outlines several key factors: economic failures, a growing desire for democratic governance, and nationalist movements challenging Soviet hegemony contributed significantly to the collapse of these regimes. The inability of the Communist Party to adapt to changing societal demands eventually led to its downfall, as citizens grew disillusioned with the privileges extended to party elites while ordinary life stagnated.

Gorbachev's decision not to interfere militarily during the fall of Eastern European regimes represents a drastic departure from Soviet policy. For Gorbachev, maintaining order through force would compromise the reforms he sought, ultimately leading to an even deeper crisis within the USSR. This calculated risk demonstrated a belief that reform was necessary, not only in the Soviet Union but across Eastern Europe. His policies led to a wave of revolutions in 1989, culminating in the fall of the Berlin Wall and the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union.

In conclusion, the rise and fall of classical communism are intricately tied to the actions of leaders like Stalin and Gorbachev. While Stalin’s industrial agenda stemmed from a desire to protect and strengthen the USSR, it also revealed the pitfalls of an oppressive regime. Khrushchev’s denunciation of Stalin laid the groundwork for reevaluation within the party, and Gorbachev’s reformist stance ultimately dismantled the systems of control established by his predecessors. The complex interplay of historical context, leadership decisions, and individual aspirations highlight the dynamic nature of communism’s rise and fall in the twentieth century.

References

• Berenson, E. (2009). Europe in the Modern World. New York: Random House.
• Gorbachev, M. (2009). Interview in The Nation. Retrieved from [The Nation website link].
• Stalin, J. (1931). The Tasks of Economic Executives.
• Stalin, J. (1933). The Results of the First Five-Year Plan, Parts I, II, and III.
• Conquest, R. (1991). The Great Terror: A Reassessment. New York: Carroll & Graf.
• McCauley, M. (2004). Stalin and Stalinism. London: Pearson Education.
• Khrushchev, N. (1989). Memoirs of Nikita Khrushchev. Pennsylvania State University Press.
• Fitzpatrick, S. (1999). Stalin's Peasants: Resistance and Survival in the Russian Village After Collectivization. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Hannah, J. (1992). The European Union and Eastern Europe: The Politics of Integration. Westview Press.
• Clarke, S. (1992). The Rise and Fall of Communism: A New Interpretation. Cambridge University Press.