18th Congress of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks)

The 18th Congress of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) (VKP(b)) was held in Moscow from March 10 to March 21, 1939. This congress is notable for formally approving the Third Five-Year Plan (1938-1942), although its actual implementation had begun in 1938. The congress also marked a period where Joseph Stalin solidified his absolute control over the party and the Soviet Union following the Great Purge.

Key issues discussed and decisions made at the Congress included:

• The Third Five-Year Plan: The Congress formally approved the plan, which focused on strengthening the defense industry in light of the growing threat of war in Europe.
• Party Statutes: Changes were made to the Party Statutes to consolidate Stalin's power and further centralize decision-making.
• Analysis of the Purges: While the Purges were not explicitly condemned, there was a subtle shift in rhetoric acknowledging some excesses, primarily attributed to Nikolai Yezhov (who had been replaced as head of the NKVD). However, the overall justification for the Purges as necessary to eliminate enemies of the state remained.
• Foreign Policy: The Congress addressed the increasingly tense international situation, condemning Western appeasement of Nazi Germany and advocating for collective security.
• Personnel Changes: Important figures within the party were either promoted or demoted, reflecting the shifting power dynamics within the Stalinist regime. Andrei Zhdanov, Georgy Malenkov, and Lavrentiy Beria were prominent figures who gained increased prominence.

The 18th Congress cemented Stalin's authoritarian rule and laid the groundwork for the Soviet Union's preparations for World War II. It also reflected the internal political climate shaped by the recent purges and the ongoing consolidation of power within the party apparatus.