Fear and terror are common tactics used against people in order to control them. By using terror to incite fear in people states are given the ability to control the actions and reactions and subdue or influence the general public. This Essay provides a critical analysis into State Terror using the historical example of Stalin and Soviet Russia in 1922. By looking at this example of Joseph Stalin and Soviet Russia the impacts and outcomes of state terrorism can be fully analysed and the above question answered for the purpose of this essay.
Although Terrorism and State Terrorism are difficult to completely define there are certain characteristics present that can be grouped and associated with Terrorism so as to provide guidelines in its …show more content…
As defined by the UN state Terror is “such actions as the kidnapping and assassination of political opponents of the government by the police, the secret service, security forces or the army; systems of imprisonment without trial; prosecution and torture; massacres of racial, religious minorities or of certain social classes; incarceration of citizens in concentration camps; and, generally speaking, government by fear” [M. Pilsuk & A. Wong, ‘State Terrorism: When the Perpetrator is a Government’, in C.E. Stout, Psychology of Terrorism (2002)]. For this essay the State that is being analysed is that of Dictator Stalin and how he used state terror as an ideology of fear against the Russian people. Stalin rose to power in the 20th century, 1912 and under his power Soviet Russia became the world’s second biggest Industrialist country and a Global Super Power. Stalin used fear and terror as his main tactic to control his people. According to the above definition of State Terror, Stalin engaged in mostly the first main type of state terror that of violence against his own people without legality by the use of placing his own people who disobeyed or disagreed with his word in …show more content…
When Lenin was still in power Stalin was a member of the current political party, he spent most of his time watching other members of these parties, observing any weaknesses and strengths they had and the using them to forward his own gain. He slowly climbed the ranks and eventually became close to Lenin were he could sway certain decisions to his own benefit. Stalin was promoted to increasingly higher positions as Lenin became more reliant on him. Eventually Stalin was given an entirely new position and allowed to write his own description for what he would do, making him on of the most powerful members of the political parties. Stalin, as General Secretary, gained more power and confidence he and Lenin begun to disagree on many policies which would often lead to fights and threats from Stalin. Another man, Trotsky, became Lenin’s confident and closest friend. After Lenin died by stroke, many assumed it would be Trotsky who came into power, however when Lenin died Trotsky was away Caucasus. The funeral was deliberately held before he could return which allowed Stalin of express his grievances loudly and publicly, gaining his popularity among the many who had an almost worship like love of the now dead leader. Although Lenin had written a testament suggesting Stalin be removed from power, which was later read after the funeral, Stalin’s allies called for his stay and Trotsky remained silent. 1924
Although Terrorism and State Terrorism are difficult to completely define there are certain characteristics present that can be grouped and associated with Terrorism so as to provide guidelines in its …show more content…
As defined by the UN state Terror is “such actions as the kidnapping and assassination of political opponents of the government by the police, the secret service, security forces or the army; systems of imprisonment without trial; prosecution and torture; massacres of racial, religious minorities or of certain social classes; incarceration of citizens in concentration camps; and, generally speaking, government by fear” [M. Pilsuk & A. Wong, ‘State Terrorism: When the Perpetrator is a Government’, in C.E. Stout, Psychology of Terrorism (2002)]. For this essay the State that is being analysed is that of Dictator Stalin and how he used state terror as an ideology of fear against the Russian people. Stalin rose to power in the 20th century, 1912 and under his power Soviet Russia became the world’s second biggest Industrialist country and a Global Super Power. Stalin used fear and terror as his main tactic to control his people. According to the above definition of State Terror, Stalin engaged in mostly the first main type of state terror that of violence against his own people without legality by the use of placing his own people who disobeyed or disagreed with his word in …show more content…
When Lenin was still in power Stalin was a member of the current political party, he spent most of his time watching other members of these parties, observing any weaknesses and strengths they had and the using them to forward his own gain. He slowly climbed the ranks and eventually became close to Lenin were he could sway certain decisions to his own benefit. Stalin was promoted to increasingly higher positions as Lenin became more reliant on him. Eventually Stalin was given an entirely new position and allowed to write his own description for what he would do, making him on of the most powerful members of the political parties. Stalin, as General Secretary, gained more power and confidence he and Lenin begun to disagree on many policies which would often lead to fights and threats from Stalin. Another man, Trotsky, became Lenin’s confident and closest friend. After Lenin died by stroke, many assumed it would be Trotsky who came into power, however when Lenin died Trotsky was away Caucasus. The funeral was deliberately held before he could return which allowed Stalin of express his grievances loudly and publicly, gaining his popularity among the many who had an almost worship like love of the now dead leader. Although Lenin had written a testament suggesting Stalin be removed from power, which was later read after the funeral, Stalin’s allies called for his stay and Trotsky remained silent. 1924