hom resisted the collectivization of their farms by destroying their livestock and crops. Stalin blamed the Kulaks for the new economic crisis. He ordered a complete liquidation of the Kulaks and had many executed or deported.Like many other successful propagandists, Stalin believed that cinema was an ideal medium of persuasion. Stalin built up a system of control over Soviet cinema that outlived him. "His desire to supervise Soviet cinematography bordered on an obsession. (Shlapentokh 75) In 1925 perhaps the most famous propaganda film made by a soviet named Sergei Eisenstien. The Battleship Potemkin tells a story of a rebellion on a ship. These rebels were meant to represent the Soviets and glorify their cause. Stalin knew all the leading Russian film directors personally and would meet with them frequently. He directed them to take their films in certain directions, and often ordered the creation of particular films. In addition Stalin banned several films that did not completely maintain his propaganda efforts. Among these banned films was Iosif Khefit’s, My Motherland. Khefit was asked by Stalin’s people to make a movie about the conflict between the Soviet Army and the Chinese army in Manchuria. The movie was a perfect example of Stalinist propaganda. The Russians prevailed, won the hearts of the oppositions’ peasants. It’s emphasis was on total world revolution, the Communist’s main focus. However, Stalin felt that in this film, the Soviet Army was not harsh enough on the "evil" Chinese army. He ordered the film destroyed.Over the years Stalin’s propaganda efforts often changed and many times contradicted with his prior views. This especially occurred in his foreign policy. As he did domestically, Stalin insisted that all Socialist values be absolutely consistent with his own. He labeled all other varieties as "the moderate wing of fascism". (Encyclopedia of Propaganda 677) W...
