Party Control of the State Flashcards

What is a one-party state?

A country where only one political party is allowed and it controls the government.

Under Stalin, who made the key policy decisions?

The Communist Party leadership, especially the Politburo.

What was the Politburo?

The top Party committee that set policy for the whole state.

What power did the General Secretary have?

Control over appointments and agendas, letting Stalin place loyal people in posts.

What was the nomenklatura system?

A Party list of key jobs and approved people, used to control who ran the state.

What is meant by democratic centralism?

Party members could debate, but once a decision was made, all had to obey.

How did Party cells control workplaces and the army?

Party members in each unit checked orders were followed and reported to higher Party officials.

How did the 1936 Constitution affect Party control?

It promised rights and elections, but the Party kept real power over the state.

What was the NKVD's role in Party control?

The secret police enforced Party policy by spying, arresting, and removing opponents.

What were the purges used for in the 1930s?

To remove real and imagined enemies from Party, army, and state, boosting Stalin's control.

What were show trials?

Public trials of leading figures to force confessions and justify purges.

How did control of the economy help the Party run the state?

Through Gosplan and Five-Year Plans, the Party directed industry and farms.

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