Stalinism and Soviet Society

Abstract

In the recent Soviet accounts of the impact of Stalinism on Soviet society, the repressive character of the regime is at the centre of attention. We have already considered Soviet publications on the campaign to eliminate the kulaks and other opponents of collectivisation, and on the subsequent famine (see Chapter 4). Even greater attention has been devoted to the repression of the intelligentsia, the military and the other professional groups during the ‘Great Purge’ of 1936–8 and in the whole period up to Stalin’s death.