High Stalinism refers to the period post-1945 in the Soviet Union characterized by the growth of Stalin's cult of personality, leading to increased paranoia and a system of renewed terror. Stalin exiled key players in the victory of World War II to preserve his image as the sole victor, implemented policies to consolidate power, and initiated societal and cultural purges to maintain ideological conformity.

The chapter delves into the post-1945 period, known as the era of high Stalinism, characterized by the unprecedented growth of Stalin's cult of personality. Stalin's propaganda efforts during and after World War II positioned him as the sole victor, leading to increased paranoia and a system of renewed terror.

Stalin's paranoia manifested at institutional, societal, and ideological levels, fearing ideological contamination despite the terror not reaching the scale of the 1930s Great Terror. By 1952, around 2.5 million people were in forced labor camps, a stark contrast to the millions in the 1930s.

The chapter explores the societal and cultural terror under Beria and the NKVD, focusing on the cultural purge that tightened political opposition through art and culture, driven by Stalin's fear of ideological contamination. Zdanov's role as commissar imposed artistic conformity to the state's ideological positions, leading to a distinct Soviet art and culture emerging from censorship.

The Leningrad Affair, starting in 1949, marked a significant purge of party officials in Leningrad amidst growing resentment, particularly due to the city's severe suffering during World War II. Leningrad was besieged by Nazi Germany, leading to millions starving to death, creating a tragic chapter in history.

The chapter discusses the Doctor's Plot in January 1953, where Pravda announced the foiling of a supposed plot by Jewish-dominated medical centers in Moscow to kill Stalin, leading to increased anti-Semitism in the USSR. This event highlighted the ingrained concept of anti-Semitism within communism and its impact on Soviet society.