Devenir Staline 3/5 : La conquête du pouvoir

Summary

Podcast Summary: Devenir Staline 3/5 : La conquête du pouvoir

Le Cours de l'histoire
Host: France Culture
Episode Title: Devenir Staline 3/5 : La conquête du pouvoir
Release Date: July 13, 2025
Duration: 9h - 10h, Monday to Friday

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Introduction: Stalin's Ambition and Early Political Engagement

The episode opens with Ronald Gregor, a historian from SUNY, introducing the focus on Joseph Stalin's early ambitions and his strategic maneuvers to ascend within the Soviet political hierarchy.

"Le pouvoir soviétique et la route du socialisme, la véritable route. C'est pourquoi l'est invincible."
— Ronald Gregor [02:50]

Gregor emphasizes Stalin's unwavering commitment to socialist ideology as a cornerstone of his political strategy, portraying socialism as an invincible path that bolsters Soviet power.

Stalin's Initial Political Moves and International Interactions

Thierry Robin discusses Stalin's early international endeavors, highlighting a significant trip to Finland that marked a pivotal moment in Stalin's political career.

"Went to Finland and there there was a meeting. And that's the first time he was unimpressed by the..."
— Thierry Robin [01:28]

This segment underscores Stalin's first notable international foray, illustrating his initial impressions and the foundations of his diplomatic strategies.

Consolidation of Power Within the Soviet Regime

Alexei Yurchak delves into the mechanisms Stalin employed to consolidate his power, including the manipulation of party structures and the establishment of a new regime.

"Le regime contrôlait le nouveau regime..."
— Ronald Gregor [06:15]

The discussion highlights Stalin's adeptness at controlling and reshaping the Soviet regime to eliminate opposition and centralize authority.

Key Meetings and Strategic Alliances

The podcast recounts crucial meetings that Stalin orchestrated to secure his position, particularly focusing on a significant gathering in July 1921.

"Il y a une réunion sur sa demande. Il veut son triomphe. Donc vous avez un public prolétarien."
— Lasha Bakhadze [14:14]

Lasha Bakhadze describes how Stalin's strategic meetings with proletarian audiences were instrumental in legitimizing his leadership and rallying support among the working class.

The Impact of Lenin's Death on Stalin's Ascendancy

Francoise Thom explores the ramifications of Vladimir Lenin's death on the political landscape of the Soviet Union and Stalin's subsequent rise to power.

"Lorsque Lénine est mort, il y a eu un grand choc dans le pays..."
— Francoise Thom [43:18]

Thom explains that Lenin's passing created a power vacuum, which Stalin adeptly filled by positioning himself as a pragmatic and capable leader, earning favor within the party and among the populace.

Propaganda and the Cult of Personality

The episode examines Stalin's use of propaganda to cultivate a cult of personality, drawing parallels with Leninism and emphasizing the symbolic significance of maintaining Lenin's preserved image.

"Le corps de Lénine... est devenu l'expression matérielle du léninisme."
— Francoise Thom [47:04]

Thom highlights how Stalin leveraged Lenin's legacy to legitimize his own rule, ensuring that the visual and symbolic aspects of Leninism continued to support the Soviet regime's ideology.

Repression and the Role of the Secret Police

Ronald Gregor touches upon the role of the MGB (Ministry of State Security) and other security apparatus in Stalin's consolidation of power.

"MGB Kajibi etc."
— Ronald Gregor [17:36]

This brief mention underscores the mechanisms of repression that Stalin employed to eliminate dissent and maintain his authoritative control over the Soviet state.

Legacy and the Foundation of Stalinism

The episode concludes by reflecting on Stalin's lasting impact on the Soviet Union and the establishment of Stalinism as a distinct phase within communist governance.

"Constantion... Opposed to the secretaire Général..."
— Ronald Gregor [41:10]

Gregor discusses how Stalin's policies and leadership style differentiated his rule from previous communist leaders, setting the stage for the unique characteristics of Stalinism.

Notable Contributors

The episode features insights from a panel of experts and contributors, including:

• Lasha Bakhadze
• Toni Que Gordadze
• Nino Kirtadze
• Jean Jacques
• Francoise Thom
• Alexei Yurchak
• Ronald Gregor
• Thierry Robin

Their collective expertise provides a multifaceted examination of Stalin's rise to power, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the historical context and personal dynamics that facilitated his dominance.

Conclusion

Devenir Staline 3/5 : La conquête du pouvoir offers an in-depth exploration of Joseph Stalin's strategic ascent within the Soviet Union, dissecting his political maneuvers, relationships with contemporaries, and the broader socio-political factors that enabled his dominance. Through expert analyses and poignant quotes, the episode paints a detailed portrait of a complex leader whose legacy continues to shape historical discourse.

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Transcript

[Ronald Gregor]

France Quiltier Ronald Gregor SUNY Historian Stalin.

[Thierry Robin]

Went to Finland and there there was a meeting. And that's the first time he was unimpressed by the.

[Ronald Gregor]

Le pouvart sovietique et la route fair le socialisme la veritable route. C' est pourquoi l' est invincible.

[Alexei Yurchak]

Dufront.

[Ronald Gregor]

Regime a control nouveau regime Thierry Roubin.

[Alexei Yurchak]

Descensin Salon.

[Ronald Gregor]

Ilme priest le militaire professional de Lancian regime Rapley Alarescus Patrotsky experimented.

[Alexei Yurchak]

Stalin contact visual.

[Thierry Robin]

May manifest upon enthusiasm.

[Francoise Thom]

Exaggerate.

[Lasha Bakhadze]

Frontier entrele Republique future Republique Sovietique Se frontier Soviet Russia invades Georgia in and then there's a Georgia chosen even in Georgia. And on February 25th, on the very same day, this picture was taken in.

[Jean Jacques]

Paris.

[Lasha Bakhadze]

On the same day. And it's very tragic. And then finally, when Georgia is.

[Alexei Yurchak]

He.

[Lasha Bakhadze]

Comes here after a long, long pause. And in July 1921 there is a meeting on his request. He wants his triumph. So you have a proletarian audience.

[Toni Que Gordadze]

But.

[Lasha Bakhadze]

More importantly worker whose name was.

[Nino Kirtadze]

But.

[Lasha Bakhadze]

He still is.

[Ronald Gregor]

MGB Kajibi etc.

[Toni Que Gordadze]

We are standing now in entrance of one of the.

[Francoise Thom]

Tragic.

[Toni Que Gordadze]

Construction and house was used as an internal prison.

[Alexei Yurchak]

Putin etc.

[Ronald Gregor]

Possible le par de Stalin aprs la revolution revealed avantage and opportunisme in manner tre pragmatic.

[Nino Kirtadze]

General.

[Jean Jacques]

Pure nevenue Stalin etarive Setaci Nusavon pri placotel le photograph Kisapole Petrovisona pare.

[Francoise Thom]

Lenin.

[Ronald Gregor]

International.

[Alexei Yurchak]

Successor potential of.

[Jean Jacques]

Les notable.

[Alexei Yurchak]

Bolshevik pur noyote le polite bureau Stalin c' est constituation.

[Ronald Gregor]

Opposed to the secretaire General Alexei Yurchak.

[Francoise Thom]

When Lenin died, first of all, there was a big shock in the country because he was already also in the party itself. I think people like Stalin, but not only because he was seen as the founding. Basically the liberated humanity is coming. And Lenin was. Then many of them started thinking, okay, we do have monuments, just like they do in very many. And the idea was that it was very important that because there are a lot of bodies in and here it was very important to preserve the look. So that.

[Jean Jacques]

Les talon les jambes le.

[Nino Kirtadze]

Torce le do verestee unchanged.

[Francoise Thom]

The skin had to look the same. I mean, Lenin's body, in a way became the material expression of Leninism. Other figure of Leninism which didn't die, which continues so in a way that every leader in the already spoke about this in the beginning.

[Nino Kirtadze]

Every leader derijan Soviet effective more criminalize collective najama collective border, not really embodied in any particular collective.

[Francoise Thom]

He was from the beginning very much in favor that Stalin, who was a big proponent of Stalin, had a very pragmatic view.

[Ronald Gregor]

Avec Lasha Bakhadze, Lasha Bougadze, Toni Que Gordadze, Giorgi Condelaki, Iraq Leegiani, Nino Kirtadze, Jean Jacques, Marie Claire Muradion, Fabian Urie, Thierry Robin, Ronald Gregor Chiny, Francoise Thom, Alexei Yorchak, elle voie de Lucy Grunstein, David Mijaud et Herve Pierre Merci a Irma Jajanavili, Charles Collaboration and the Pelchan Documentation Anne Lise, signore documentation musicale Antoine Villoz, documentation in A Sophie Enoch, prise de son Benjamin Tuot Florent Lyanny et Lucien Lefebvre, mixage Manuel Couturier, responsable editorial Emmanuel Laurentin, coordination Christine Bernard, charge de program and Vanessa Prevu, unground traverse de Marisharton realize par D.C. mariani.