Good Afternoon!!!
1. NVC
2. Stalin Persuasive Prompt
3. Stalin vs. Putin: Critical Thinking Exercise
Essential Question: Is Vladimir Putin trying to
become a totalitarian leader like Joseph Stalin?
Homework: Stalin Prompt due MONDAY
Stalin Persuasive Prompt
• Evaluate: Was Joseph Stalin an effective
leader? Address both STRENGTHS and
WEAKNESSES!
– Four Paragraphs (Intro, 2 Body, Conclusion)
– Use TWO pieces of evidence from the documents.
– THESIS: “While some consider Stalin a _________
leader because of ___________, he was a
__________ leader because of _________.”
The Soviet Union
• Soviet Union:
Communist empire led
by Russia that Stalin
creates
– Finally breaks up in 1991
after the Cold War
– 15 modern countries
used to be part of it
– Is it coming back?
Joseph Stalin vs. Vladimir Putin
Historical Thinking
• How would you define the following things?
– Author’s Main Argument/Claim
– Best Evidence
– Source Bias
Is Vladimir Putin trying to become a
totalitarian leader like Joseph Stalin?
• Listen and pay attention as Mr. Heiken models
how to identify the author’s source bias, main
argument, and best evidence in a document.
– Afterwards, I will be calling on you to tell me when
I identified the above things, so pay attention!
Source: President Vladimir Putin, speech to the Russian Federation
Congress on March 18, 2014, on the annexation of Crimea
In 1954, a decision was made to transfer Crimea from Russia to Ukraine. This was the
personal decision of the Communist Party head Nikita Khrushchev. What was behind
this decision of his is for historians to figure out.
What matters now is that this decision was made in clear violation of the
constitutional laws that were in place even then. The decision was made behind the
scenes. Naturally, in a totalitarian state nobody bothered to ask the citizens of Crimea .
Dear friends, we have gathered here today in connection with an issue that is of vital
historic significance to all of us. A referendum was held in Crimea on March 16 in full
compliance with democratic procedures and international norms. More than 82
percent of the people took part in the vote. Over 96 percent of them spoke out in
favor of reuniting with Russia. These numbers speak for themselves.
In people’s hearts and minds, Crimea has always been an inseparable part of Russia.
This strong belief is based on truth and justice and was passed from generation to
generation, over time, under any circumstances, despite all the dramatic changes our
country went through during the entire 20th century.