Reasons for the Rise of the Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a socialist state that lasted from 1922 to 1991. Vast areas of Eastern and Central Asia and Eastern Europe were part of the Soviet Union, with its capital in the Russian city of Moscow. The Soviet Union played a vital role in the defeat of Germany in World War 2. After the war, it became a superpower along with the USA.

USSR emerged after the fall of the Russian Empire and the victory of the Red Army against the White Army. As the leader of Communism, USSR greatly influenced several parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. The main reasons behind the rise of the Soviet Union are listed below.

Economic Conditions of the Russian Empire

At the start of the 20^th Century, the Russian economy was deteriorating due to severe economic and political instability that gave rise to social unrest. The communists took advantage of this situation and promised equal rights to people of lower status. As the economic condition worsened with time, the hardships of ordinary people increased miserably. It strengthened the ranks of the Bolsheviks among factory workers, farmers, etc.

Through an increase in numbers among the lower part of society, communists were able to establish a communist state in Russia in 1917. The most critical factor behind their success was the weak economic condition of the Russian Empire at the start of the 20^th Century.

World War 1

The Russian Empire was not stable at the start of World War 1 in 1914. Russia had suffered a humiliating defeat against Japan in Russo-Japanese War(1904-05). Later, the establishment of the Duma (Russian Parliament) in 1906 paved the way for a constitutional monarchy that replaced an absolute monarchy. But Emperor Nicholas II was not ready to shift his authoritative powers to Duma. Workers' strikes were on the rise due to weak economic conditions. The situation demanded to avoid any conflict, but Russia decided to enter the war in favor of the Allied Powers against Germany.

It proved to be the last nail in the coffin of the Russian Empire. Severe human and material loss in the World War 1 forced the emperor to step down from his power and hand over the responsibilities to the provisional government during the war. But the new government also decided to continue participation in the war in favor of allies. It resulted in the empowerment of the ‘Bolsheviks’ after the October Revolution.

Victory in the Russian Civil War

Soon after the ‘October Revolution,’ the Russian Civil War started between the Soviet Red Army and the ‘White Army’ (supporters of monarchy). White Army got assistance from several countries of the Allied Powers. But the Red Army had more support inside Russia, which assisted them in defeating the White Army in 1922. This victory ended every resistance against Bolshevik rule and resulted in the establishment of the Soviet Union.

Large Scale Industrialization 

Under the regime of Joseph Stalin, large-scale industrialization started in the late 1920s. This policy resulted in the establishment of new industries with modern equipment. It increased industrial production many times compared to the period of the Russian Empire. This high rate of industrialization helped Soviet Russia to keep levels of goods production high. This continuous large-scale production allowed them to fight a long and deadly conflict against Nazi Germany during World War 2.  

Policy in World War 2

At the start of World War 2, Germany and Russia signed a ‘no-war pact’ that helped Soviet Russia annex areas in Eastern and Central Europe. Later in 1941, Hitler turned his attention towards USSR after getting rid of Western Europe to end the danger of communism and "purge the earth from Slav people." Russia suffered heavy casualties at the hands of Nazis during the German invasion of Russia (Operation Barbarossa). However, they managed to save their major cities of Moscow and Leningrad during this invasion. 

Russia had already signed a pact with Japan (Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact) in 1941, which helped them to transport their additional and fresh troops from the eastern to the western side for their counteroffensive against Germany. In this counterattack, Russians retook all the areas from the exhausted German Army and then captured many other parts of Germany, especially areas close to the Russian border. The Russian victory against Nazi Germany helped the soviet republic to increase its influence and create an Eastern Bloc.

Policies of Stalin

Joseph Stalin became the leader of the Soviet Union in the 1920s and remained in this position till his death in 1953. He played the most prominent role in strengthening USSR economically and militarily. After consolidating his power, Stalin focused on making USSR a communist state by adopting the concept of ‘Socialism in One Country’ after shunning the idea of ‘international socialism.' He transformed the economy of Russia from agricultural to industrial through his industrialization and collectivization policy. The advancement in science and technology was also rapid. 

Stalin policies played main role in USSR rise

His cruel policy of "Gulag Labor Camps” and “Great Purge” helped him to eliminate rebellious nations and political rivals. He was the primary planner in defeating Nazi Germany during World War 2. Few of his policies proved disastrous for USSR in later stages. But there is no doubt he was the man behind the rise of communism in Russia and also played a role in the rise of the USSR as a superpower.