Joseph+Stalin+and+Mikhail+Gorbachev

Wassim Alsafi

Joseph Stalin and Mikhail Gorbachev

Prompt: Compare and contrast the political and economic policies of Joseph Stalin in the period before WWII and those of Mikhail Gorbachev.

Thesis:While Stalin did not allow his people very many political liberties going by a strict socialist economic policy, Gorbachev allowed his people to be freer and have a less controlled economy. 1. Stalin only allowed the communist party to have power and oppressed his people while Gorbachev weakened the party and gave people new freedoms. a. Stalin’s secret police b. Purge of old Bolsheviks c. Anti-Semitism d. Oppression of kulaks e. Labor camps f. Stalin’s control over Russian culture g. Outlaw of abortion and fines on divorce h. //Prestroika// i. //Glasnost// j. Gorbachev made parliament k. Gorbachev removed restrictions on art l. Gorbachev made office of president 2. Stalin never deviated from a socialist policy of economy, but Gorbachev made the system a little more capitalistic and free. a. New Economic Policy b. Collectivization c. Stakhanovism d. Famine of NEP e. Decrease in wages of NEP f. Increase in production of heavy machinery and armaments in NEP g. Gorbachev allowed people to have private property

Sources: Marrin, Albert. "Stalin, Joseph." //World Book Advanced //. World Book, 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2011.  Goldman, Stuart D. "Gorbachev, Mikhail Sergeyevich." //World Book Advanced //. World Book, 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2011.