How did Stalin use repression
to gain absolute power?

By late 1934, Stalin had all but eliminated potential opposition to his leadership, and consolidated his power as party leader and leader of the state. Despite this, he continued to purge ordinary members of the party and terrorise the Soviet people with extensive arrests and executions. 

Why did Stalin use such harsh forms of repression and violence?

• Issues within the country

Stalin’s primary goal in inter-war Russia was the achievement of Socialism in One Country, which was restricted by its technical and economic backwardness. When Kamenev and Zinoviev stated their view that Soviet Russia "cannot cope with the internal difficulties unless an international revolution happens”, Stalin saw their views as a lack of faith in the Soviet “working class and the peasant masses” and a departure from the Leninist position. He resorted to the use of violence and repression to achieve his goals when faced with opposition from within the party. 

• Fear of War

Another critical reason for Stalin's use of repression and violence was the urgency sparked by the fear of war; with both the threat of Japan and Nazi Germany. Stalin believed that Russia was threatened by both powers from the East and the West. Japan presents itself as a threat due to its increasing hostility to neighbouring countries, such as in Manchuria 1931-33. Meanwhile, with its anti-communist nature, Germany was also becoming a threat to Russia’s national safety. Hitler’s talks of peace were not taken at face value by Stalin due to Hitler's expansionist policy of Lebensraum, and threats against Soviet Russia and France. Stalin perceived peace in Europe as unstable. Dangers from the far east may come as far as Europe, while there was also a threat within Europe itself. Therefore, Stalin resorted to repression and terror to take control of Russia’s internal difficulties. The country needed to be internally stabilised with the possibility of a war.

• Paranoia and a Fear of Betrayal

According to the author, Helena Sheehan, Stalin was deeply affected when his wife, Nadezhda Alliluyeva, committed suicide in 1932, and his style of ruling became much more antagonistic and revengeful. Stalin became insecure and desired to seek absolute control through repressive measures. Stalin formed a close relationship with Bukharin, even asking to change apartments with him as the memory of his wife was too painful. According to Sheehan, Stalin was "jealous of his intellectual acuity and all round popularity and vengeful against any alternative to his absolute authority". Hence, Bukharin was arrested on false charges, while Stalin fabricated allegations against him. Before his false confession, Bukharin underwent severe torture and intimidation.

In conclusion, Stalin used repression as a tool to strike fear into the population of the USSR, ensuring obedience, and gaining absolute power by removing the possibility of opposition from party members.