Government, propaganda and the beginning of the Stalinist cult; Stalin's attitude to foreign powers: China; Germany and the Treaty of Berlin; changes in the Comintern
By the late 1920s, Stalin used propaganda to build a personal cult around himself. He also shaped Soviet foreign policy toward China, Germany, and the Communist International.
Real World
Stalin's cult of personality operated like a modern authoritarian brand campaign: by 1929, Soviet children were taught that Stalin had personally guided the October Revolution alongside Lenin, erasing or minimising figures like Trotsky from official photographs and textbooks.
Exam Focus
For propaganda questions, specify the audience and medium — a poster aimed at peasants functions differently from a party congress speech; examiners reward this precision.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
How well did you know this?