ABSTRACT
The period between 1934 and 1941 was characterized by increases in mass terror, continuous economic growth, and growing international tension. It also marked the total consolidation of Stalin’s dictatorship. Toward the end of the purges, Stalin, understanding the insufficiency of socialist ideology as a way to legitimize his regime, began to espouse Russian Nationalism as an additional means to justify his power. One of the most important indicators of the influence of nationalist ideology was the newfound interest in national history. The emergence of Russian nationalism as an essential element of Soviet official ideology brought back the term patriotism, which in the past had been regarded as incompatible with internationalism. One element that accompanied this rise of patriotism was a sudden increase of xenophobia in propaganda. The patriotic and foreign theme was dominant in a series of films about past Russian commanders and admirals. Russian nationalism had a tremendous effect on Soviet cinema after 1934.
