non-aggression pact with Adolf Hitler on August 23, 1939. In addition to a focus on socialism only within his own country, Stalin also focused on a concentration of governmental control of industry and agriculture. This policy, originated by Lenin under the moniker of state capitalism, was a clearly established goal of Leninism well before Stalin implemented it. Lenin said that "Socialism is nothing but state capitalist monopoly made to benefit the whole people" ("How Lenin Led to Stalin"). It is clear that his idea of socialism was one of governmental economic control. Moreover, Lenin fully intended for this plan to be implemented. He said that "If we introduced state capitalism in approximately 6 months' time we would achieve a great success" ("How Lenin Led to Stalin"). As the government gained more and more control over the economy, Lenin felt it necessary to defend his actions. He published an article in April of 1918 in which he stated that "Unquestioning submission to a single will is absolutely necessary for the success of the labor process...the revolution demands, in the interests of socialism, that the masses unquestioningly obey the single will of the leaders of the labor process" ("How Lenin Led to Stalin"). In addition to demonstrating the Leninist ideal of state capitalism, it also shows that Lenin viewed absolute governmental authority as necessary, a policy that would be further instituted during the totalitarian rule of Stalin. One aspect of Lenin's state capitalism was the forced collectivization of agriculture. In article six of his "April Theses," Lenin called for "Nationalization of all lands in the country, and management of such lands by local Soviets of Agricultural Laborers' and Peasants' Deputies" (Russian History 1905-30"). In 1929, when Stalin forced collectivization onto the agricultural workers, he was simply putting Lenin's concepts into action. Lenin had had the original idea, and had...
