In my continued exposure to leftist spaces and a leftist view on history it has become clear that all I understand about Stalin is the reactionary rhetoric I've been fed my whole life. I have only just started on reading theory and exposing myself to a leftist view, so Stalin as a topic isn't something I've reached yet.

But I have to ask, and I think this is the place to ask it, what is the deal with Stalin?

The vibe I get is that people at a minimum don't hate Stalin, but also maybe at most appricate Stalin. I'm aware that the efforts of the USSR during WW2, especially in regards to Nazi aggression are a credit to his administration and leadership, but is that really where the vibe starts and stops?

I'm not looking for a dissertation on the guy, but just the notes or primary points. I'll take reading suggestions too.

Thanks comrades.

  • FunkyStuff [he/him]
    ·
    8 months ago

    I don't think it was unreasonable to ask, given the number of descendants of Nazi collaborators that have embarrassed themselves making similar claims while leaving out their family history. If the case of your own family did include innocent victims of the purges/ethnic cleansings, that's a tragic reminder that socialism doesn't have a spotless history and we need to work to do better in the future.