1936 Constitution

What was the Stalin Constitution?

The 1936 Soviet Constitution, also known as the Stalin Constitution, redesigned the government of the Soviet Union.

When was the Stalin Constitution adopted?

The 1936 Soviet Constitution was adopted on 5th December, 1936.

Why was the constitution changed by Stalin?

The new constitution was introduced for 2 main reasons:

• ❖ To show the Soviet Union had changed since the 1924 constitution.
• ❖ In an attempt to improve the USSR's reputation with other countries.

What did the 1936 constitution include?

The 1936 Soviet Constitution include the following 5 main articles:

• ❖ It granted different rights and freedoms, such as the right to vote from the age of 18, to housing, and to care in old age and illness.
• ❖ It established direct elections of the government.
• ❖ It changed the name of the Central Executive Committee to the Supreme Soviet.
• ❖ Groups previously seen as enemies, such as the nobility and kulaks, would be seen as equal citizens.
• ❖ All of the 15 republics were renamed as Soviet Socialist Republics under Article 13. They were given the impression of a degree of autonomy but in reality they were controlled from Moscow.

What impact did the 1936 constitution have?

The 1936 Constitution had little impact due to 3 main reasons:

• ❖ It was a piece of propaganda.
• ❖ The rights were not upheld as there were still mass arrests and the government used terror to control the population.
• ❖ Only Communist Party members could be elected to government.