Political authority and government to 1953: High Stalinism; the revival of…

The idea

The period of 'High Stalinism' (1945–1953) saw the reassertion of rigid political authority and government control following wartime relaxations. Stalin's cult of personality reached its zenith, portraying him as a god-like saviour. To maintain absolute power, Stalin revived state terror, targeting 'supposed' opposition through purges like the Leningrad Affair (1949) and the anti-Semitic Doctors' Plot (1952–1953). These actions destroyed potential rivals and kept the Politburo in a state of constant fear. Consequently, Stalin's sudden death in March 1953 created a dangerous power vacuum. Without a designated successor, a tense collective leadership emerged, sparking a covert power struggle among key figures like Beria, Malenkov, and Khrushchev.

What earns the marks

• Define 'High Stalinism' as the post-war period characterised by extreme centralisation, ideological conformity (Zhdanovshchina), and the peak of Stalin's cult of personality.
• Analyse the revival of terror as a tool for political control, using examples like the Leningrad Affair to demonstrate the destruction of 'supposed' opposition within the Party.
• Evaluate the significance of the Doctors' Plot as evidence of Stalin's growing paranoia and the use of anti-Semitism to fabricate internal enemies.
• Examine the nature of the power vacuum following Stalin's death in 1953, highlighting the lack of a clear succession mechanism in the Soviet system.
• Assess the initial formation of the collective leadership (Beria, Malenkov, Khrushchev) and the immediate steps taken to dismantle the most extreme aspects of Stalin's terror apparatus.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Confusing the post-war revival of terror with the Great Purges of the 1930s.

  Put it right: The post-war terror was more targeted at specific groups and potential rivals rather than a mass societal purge.

• Claiming that Stalin named Khrushchev as his successor.

  Put it right: Stalin deliberately avoided naming an heir to prevent any individual from accumulating enough power to challenge him, leading directly to the power vacuum.

• Stating that the Doctors' Plot resulted in the execution of the accused.

  Put it right: The doctors were saved by Stalin's sudden death and subsequently released.

Exam tips

• Link the cult of personality directly to the revival of terror; portraying Stalin as infallible justified the ruthless elimination of anyone who supposedly questioned his authority.
• Use the Leningrad Affair to illustrate how Stalin manipulated political authority to destroy popular regional leaders who had gained prominence during the war.
• When discussing the power vacuum, emphasise how the structure of the Soviet government under High Stalinism made a smooth transition of power impossible.