275 Stalin Is the Lenin of Today

The podcast dives into Stalin's rise to power, presenting him as Lenin's chosen successor. It discusses the ambitious first five-year plan, balancing industrial progress with rural famine. Cultural shifts in Soviet society, including educational advances and the arts, are also highlighted. The visit of George Bernard Shaw reveals the sharp contrast between Stalin's praise and the reality of oppression. Additionally, the Stachanov Movement and the detrimental effects of Lysenkoism on agriculture illustrate the era's complexities, culminating in the atmosphere of fear during the Great Purge.