Looking for a Soviet Identity Through Propaganda and Industrialization: The Stalin Years
Abstract
This project seeks to explore the process by which the Soviet Union established a sense of identity during the Stalin years. The Bolshevik Revolution laid the groundwork for a strong Soviet identity based on the idea that communal hard work and loyalty would elevate everyone equally. Consequently, there was a heavy push toward nationalism—the elevation of Soviet ideals and culture marked by unflagging devotion to Russia. However, Stalin perverted these ideals by consolidating power with himself, thereby deeply intertwining his personal identity with that of the Soviet Union. This was evidenced through iconographic propaganda depicting Stalin as a fatherly and religious figure and through Stalin’s insatiable drive to prove the superiority of Communism through mass industrialization. Challengers to his power or to the virtue of the Soviet system—often intellectuals—were imprisoned or eliminated, leading to disillusionment among the citizens of Russia. Feelings of nationalism were replaced by feelings of repression and fear. Thus, the Soviet national identity became a sort of warped fairy tale—a dream of what it wanted to be without the ability to realize the dream.
Start Time
15-4-2026 2:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 3:30 PM
Room Number
303
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Arts and Humanities
Student Type
Graduate
Faculty Mentor
Daryl Carter
Looking for a Soviet Identity Through Propaganda and Industrialization: The Stalin Years
303
This project seeks to explore the process by which the Soviet Union established a sense of identity during the Stalin years. The Bolshevik Revolution laid the groundwork for a strong Soviet identity based on the idea that communal hard work and loyalty would elevate everyone equally. Consequently, there was a heavy push toward nationalism—the elevation of Soviet ideals and culture marked by unflagging devotion to Russia. However, Stalin perverted these ideals by consolidating power with himself, thereby deeply intertwining his personal identity with that of the Soviet Union. This was evidenced through iconographic propaganda depicting Stalin as a fatherly and religious figure and through Stalin’s insatiable drive to prove the superiority of Communism through mass industrialization. Challengers to his power or to the virtue of the Soviet system—often intellectuals—were imprisoned or eliminated, leading to disillusionment among the citizens of Russia. Feelings of nationalism were replaced by feelings of repression and fear. Thus, the Soviet national identity became a sort of warped fairy tale—a dream of what it wanted to be without the ability to realize the dream.
