Charisma and Foreign Policy
1) In what ways did Stalin's cult follow the definition of charismatic leadership, according to the author? Provide specific analysis of the connection.
2) The medium was more important than the message. To what extent do you agree with the statement?
1) Discuss the importance of ideology on the direction of foreign policy decisions made by Stalin.
2) What context helps explain the "two sides" to foreign policy within the USSR? (pre-WWII and post-WWII).
Great Terror and Weak Leadership
1) Which of the following best explains the timing of the Great Terror and why? Foreign threat, ideology, historic past, internal threats to development.
1) In what ways does the construction of the mechanisms of the state aid Stalin? Was Stalin a weak dictator?
Isis and Ra and Utopian Visions
1) Which messages were the focal point of Soviet Socialist Realism? In what ways were these reflected in art?
2) "All art is propaganda." To what extent do you agree with the statement? Use evidence from the reading to support your claim.
1) In what ways did the various legal codes attempt to create equity between the genders? Evaluate their successes.
2) Does the notion that people could write letters expressing their discontent with official state policy go against the underlying theme of the Soviet state as inherently repressive and restrictive?