Stalin's only redeeming quality, and it's a big one, is that his country played the largest role of any other in conquering Hitler. Of course he did so in a manner that killed 30 million of his people, but he did it nonetheless, when no one else could.
From what I've learned Stalin was the biggest hypocrite of the early communist leaders. While Marx laid the original plan for communism, he at least had good intentions and believed his philosophy would bring the greatest benefit to the most people. Lenin believed so at the beginning, but failed to put the people's interests ahead of his own once he came into power. His love for power overcame his desire to bring great benefit to the people.
Stalin, on the other hand, never actually believed in communism or that it would bring the greatest benefit to the most people. He simply used it as a means to acquire power for himself.
He used brute force as a blunt instrument throughout his career. Once he gained control of the secret police, there was no turning back. He struck at anyone with any means or incentive to reduce his power, having them shot or exiled to Siberia. His killing was relentless and it created a state of open hostility for virtually the entire nation.
Stalin had millions, perhaps tens of millions, killed or exiled throughout his career, all for the sole purpose of maintaining his personal power.
Ironically, he did not lead a happy life. All of the death and destruction in his wake only created more fear and suspicion that the next person in front of him would threaten his power. The cycle continued endlessly.
His legacy is sad beyond belief.
The only redemption, perhaps, was that his people and the leadership he left behind were glad to see him go. As soon as he lay permanently disabled with death imminent, the remaining leaders worked together to quickly undue much of his work. The nation evolved from an unstable dictatorship to a more manageable (although still problematic) oligarchy.
Onward.
No comments:
Post a Comment