Why was Stalin able to secure his hold on power in the Soviet Union in the years 1928 - 1941? (15)

Why was Stalin able to secure his hold on power in the Soviet Union in the years 1928 - 1941? (15)

Between the years 1928 and 1941 Stalin achieved total control of the Soviet Union. His use of terror was an important factor in this control, as was Stalin’s use of propaganda and the fact that the Soviet Union was transformed into an industrial superpower

Terror was certainly extremely important. The brutal enforcement of Collectivisation and the Purges ensured that any potential opposition to Stalin was stifled. Fear was certainly important in enforcing conformity. The NKVD were Stalin’s agents of terror and Soviet citizens preferred not to question the regime for fear of being arrested, imprisoned and either being shot or sent to the gulag.

Stalin also imposed rule from Moscow by a ruthless policy of Russification. Russian language and culture became compulsory subjects in all schools an...