Good Example Of Research Paper On Stalin’s Reign: A Genocide Paper

In the midst of World War II, world powers gathered to defeat the reign of one of the most powerful dictator the world has ever seen. It was the leadership of Adolf Hitler who they want to abolish. It was bad and cruel. In the eye of the world, Hitler is the one who is doing the most hateful things. But behind those leaders who want to persecute him, one of them were hiding behind the curtains and doing almost the same thing as Hitler, killing and imprisoning people for their opposition against him. It was, with his popular name, Joseph Stalin (Hingley n.p.).
Joseph Stalin became a leader of the Soviet Union or the Union of Soviet Socialists Republic (USSR). He was the head of the military of the USSR during World War II so he have the direct control in giving orders. He led his army in winning against Hitler’s army. But under his regime, many people suffered in his dictatorship. A massive political purge happened. People in communist party, military, economic and intellectual elites who were against him were imprisoned of sent in concentration camps. This event was called the Great Purge (“Hingley n.p.).
But the Great Purge was only part of the terror brought by Stalin. The Holodomor in Ukraine happened. In English, its common term is “to kill by starvation.” It started when the government of Stalin proposed that farmers joined his agricultural collectivization. It forces farmers to give up their land and transfer to government owned, factory-like farmlands. The farmers refused. The problem started there. “Class warfare” in the country side was introduced by Stalin. It classified the farmers as class enemy. They were forced to leave their homes by the regular troops and secret police. The operation was called “Dekulakization” (Sazonova n.p.).
Over the period of operation, armed men who were members of the dekulakization brigade confiscated lands, livestock and other properties owned by the farmers. Families were forced to leave their homes and sent to uninhabited places such as Siberia. In those places, food were scarce. Settlers, especially children, often die in famine (Sazonova n.p.)
1.5 million people were affected by dekulakization. Quotas were increased in order for Ukrainian farmers not to reach them. Starvation are now widespread throughout the area. Transportation of food are banned in the area. Blockades were spread around the area to stop the vehicles. Consequences were imposed to those caught stealing food. It was a great struggle only famine people will understand. Even homes were raided in search of hidden grains. In Stalin’s view, it was a way to teach Ukranians (Sazonova n.p.)
In 1933, at a rate of 30, 000 deaths a day, it was the peak of famine. An estimated of 4 million people died between 1932-1933. Reports about the number of dead due to starvation were denied by Stalin. He agreed that many people were dying, it is not because of starvation but because of malnutrition (“Holodomor: Memories” n.p.)
The incident was not considered until in early 2000. In November 28th of 2006, the Parliament of Ukraine, also known as Verkhovna Rada, pass a resolution identifying the incident of Holodomor as an act of genocide (“Holodomor: Memories” n.p.)
In histories of genocide, this one tops the list because as Stalin help fight Hitler and the Nazis, he also imposed his own dictatorship in his own backyard. This was far worst compared to killing directly. It informs people that before idolizing people, you must thoroughly research on what type of people he/she really is. In addition, achievements do not prove greatness.

Works Cited:

“Holodomor: Memories of Ukraine’s silent massacre.” Europe. BBC News, 2014. Web. 22 Feb. 2015
Hingley, Ronald Francis. “Role in World War II.” Joseph Stalin. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014. Web. 22 Feb 2015
Sazonova, Natasha. “Holodomor: The famine-genocide of Ukraine, 1932-33.” Holodomor facts. Holodomor 1932-33, 2005. Web. 22 Feb. 2015