Chpater 2 - What was the main reason for Stalin's rise to power?

Activity 4
What were the key reasons for Stalin’s rise to power?

“Stalin’s rise to power was because he was a skilful politician.” How far would you agree? Explain your answer.

Read pages 37 to 43 to study the reasons for Stalin’s rise to power.

Categorize the information’s key points into the different reasons and further group these facts into 

a) Stalin as a skilled politician
b) The weaknesses of his political opponents
c) Circumstances in Stalin’s favour.

So which was the key reason for Stalin’s rise to power? 

Chapter 2 Lenin decides who will succeed him....

Imagine you are Vladimir Lenin and you are choosing your future successor for leadership of the Soviet Bolshevik (Communist) Party.

 You have 6 potential candidates and you have compiled write-ups of them as stated in the textbook page 39 and 40. You can only choose 1 successor and you know that the future of your beloved Russia depends completely on making the right choice.

Given the history and social, economic and political situation in Russia at that time, write a note that will be read to the Central Executive Committee (See page 34) of the Communist Party upon your “cluck!” aka death, explaining the reasons for your choice.
Make the right choice……

Stalin's rise to power - Chapter 2

Consolidation of power

Consolidationofpower from The Grange School & Sports College

Rise of Hitler - Compare and Contrast

Sources

Possible response

Q. Study Source C and D. How similar are sources C and D? Explain your answer.
Similar in message/content	Both Sources C and D are similar in telling us/saying that Hitler came to power with the support of the German people[3m]…… [Basis of comparison/Common Criterion]…… Source C states that the German people willingly supported Hitler… [Inference Source C]….I say so because in Source C it says that “they(Germans) voted for him(Hitler)…[Evidence Source C]…. This means that the German people gave him their support in democratic elections and were not forced to support him…..[Explanation of Source C] Similarly, Source D states that the rich and influential  Germans cooperated with Hitler……[Inference source D] I say so because Source D states that “the elite of German society worked with him”…..[Evidence source D]This means that even the rich in society who could have easily not bothered about Hitler were willingly giving him their support which means that Hitler came to power through support from the German people…[Explanation source D] Hence source C and D are similar in the view that Hitler came to power with the support of the German people ……[ Basis of comparison] – 4m
Difference in message/content	Source C and D differ in telling us/saying whether Hitler came to power through his own ability/strengths…… [ Basis of comparison] Source C states that Hitler had great intelligence and good speaking skills as his strengths that helped him become the leader of Germany…[Inference Source C]….I say so because in Source C it says that “Hitler used his strong….oratory skills” and he “skilfully and convincingly told the Germans what they wanted to hear”. [Evidence Source C] This means that….Hitler had the ability to influence people effectively through his speaking and he was smart enough to know how to say it in a way that appealed to the German which allowed him to rise to power.[Explanation of Source C] On the other hand, Source D states that Hitler came to power because most Germans did not stop Hitler from gaining power and not through his own strengths… [Inference from Source D]….I say so because in Source D it says that “ most Germans at least tolerated his rise” …… [Evidence from Source D]…..This means that… the German people did not do anything to prevent Hitler form seizing power and in fact gave him the opportunity to become Chancellor simply by not stopping him. [Explanation from Source D] Hence, source C and D differ in the view on whether Hitler came to power through his own ability or because the Germans allowed him to do so……[ Basis of comparison]
Similarity in Purpose	Source C and D are similar in purpose. Source C’s purpose is to influence/ Convince (Action word)  the modern Germans…..[audience-who?]…. to know that Hitler came to power through his ability to convince Germans using a series of half-truths and lies……[Message]……..so that the German people today [audience-who?] will be more aware of how Hilter came to power and not allow themselves to be fooled like their ancestors were and to “vote” another dictator to power……[ Outcome = behavior/action of the audience after seeing the source message] Likewise/similarly source D’s purpose is to influence/ Convince (or other Action word)  Germans today.[audience-who?]…. to realise that Hilter rose to power because the Germans in the 1930s allowed him to do so……[Message]……..so that the Modern day Germans [audience-who?] will be more careful in selecting who is their leader……[ Outcome = behavior/action of the audience after seeing the source message] Hence, the purpose of Source A and B are similar.

Answer to the compare and contrast question from the following

Study Sources 2 and 3.
How different are Sources 2 and 3? Explain your answer.

Possible response 

Sources 2 and 3 are different in telling us whether Hitler’s support was forced out of people or was his support willingly provided. Source 2 tells us that Hitler’s support was forced out of people as Source 2 states that a German Communist unwillingly made the Hitler Salute when he was forced to do so by several Brown Shirts. On the other hand, Source 3 states that “Most people” wore edelweiss emblem which showed that they had contributed to the Hitler birthday fund. This means that many people had contributed to his fund which indicates that people willingly gave him support. 

Sources 2 and 3 are similar in telling us that the public display of affection and support for Hitler was carried out in a grand fashion.  Source 2 states that Nazi nurses were carrying banners in public support of Hitler. Likewise, Source 3 states that Hitler’s birthday was celebrated with great pomp and pageantry with Birthday cakes with Hitler’s face on it and his posters pasted all over the town. This means that German’s displayed their affections for Hitler in a very grand and public fashion.  

What is Mr Lim's Social Studies blog address?

Here it is:

www.socialstudiessingapore.blogspot.sg