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| 1934 |
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| The opening of Lady Macbeth of Mtsenk, an opera by Dmitry Shostakovich (1906–75), led to an accusation of formalism, yet the composer remained one of the great stars of Soviet music. | 1 |
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| 1934 |
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| In view of the National Socialist victory in Germany and the openly expressed hostility of the new German regime to communism, the Soviet Union felt more than ever endangered. Trade relations with Germany continued and even expanded for a few years, but the Moscow government at once embarked upon an extensive program of armament on land, sea, and air. Within a few years the Soviets had a formidable air fleet and had made considerable progress toward the construction of a powerful navy (especially submarines). | 2 |
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| Sept. 18 |
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| The SOVIET UNION JOINED THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS, which earlier it had roundly denounced. Russia's far-reaching goal was to make the League of Nations an anti-German and anti-Japanese alliance. France was supported in the plan for an eastern pact to cover an anti-German alliance by a regional system of collective security. | 3 |
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| Dec. 1 |
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| The assassination of Stalin's close collaborator Sergey Kirov, who had begun to be regarded by a significant number of Communists as a possible alternative to Stalin's leadership. The assassination was probably inspired by Stalin himself and marked the beginning of the “great purges.” In a series of spectacular trials many of the most prominent of the older Communist leaders were convicted. | 4 |
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