Summary
Highlights
Stalin's cult of personality is generally understood to have begun around 1929, coinciding with his 50th jubilee. This period saw the publication of effusive articles in newspapers, the presentation of grand gifts, and extensive praise for Stalin, marking the early stages of his elevated public image.
The formation of a cult of personality is a complex process. It involves inhabitants being 'cattle-like' in their desire for a strong leader who provides direction. By 1929, all of Stalin's potential competitors had been eliminated, paving the way for the conscious shaping of his leadership image. By the mid-1930s, this cult was firmly established in the Soviet Union, portraying him as an infallible, god-like 'Father of All Nations' and a genius across all fields.
Stalin did not need to explicitly dictate how his image should be portrayed. Instead, those in power, the 'toadies' in the hierarchy, anticipated his desires. They strove to guess what he liked to earn favor, creating a self-perpetuating machinery of propaganda. This led to common cliches portraying him as humane, caring for children, and empathetic towards workers.
The mechanics of Stalin's cult of personality are not unique; they share similarities with other dictators like Hitler or even ancient rulers. The fundamental process remains the same, varying only in the degree of brutality and the 'proportions' of carrot and stick used. Both reward and punishment are essential tools, much like in animal training, for maintaining such a system.