Sheila Fitzpatrick, a historian of the Soviet Union, examines how the country emerged as a superpower under Joseph Stalin despite poverty, mass displacement and state violence. She explores the role of industrialization, education, administration and popular mobilization, and argues that Soviet superpower status helps explain Stalin’s enduring reputation in Russia. The lecture was delivered in Tbilisi on July 2, 2026.
This lecture is part of the Monterey Summer Symposium 2026, held across Uzbekistan, Georgia and Armenia from June 18 to July 10, 2026.
