Joel's+IA+Page

Research Question: How effective was the Kremlin in 'grooming' Kim Il-Sung into a dictatorial leader of North Korea in the 1950s?

__Guiding Questions__ Q: Where was Kim during the Japanese occupation? A: In the USSR

Q: How did Kim view the Western Capitalists? A: "Apparently, it's all the Americans' fault...'They're the ones blcoking the peace process begun by the two president in 2000.' According to him, without America's imposed presence in South Korea, the country would have been unified long ago, letting the socialists in the South embrace their brothers in the North and help them achieve the people's paradise they've bravely held onto since 1948." -A quote from __Pyongyang A Journey In North Korea__ that depicts the indoctrination of the Kim regime on the people of North Korea.

Q: What techniques did Kim use that he may or may not have learned from the USSR? A: (WIKIPEDIA) " Stalin realized he needed someone to head a puppet regime. He asked Lavrenty Beria to recommend possible candidates. Beria met Kim several times before recommending him to Stalin. It is widely believed that Kim was selected over several more qualified candidates because he had no ties to the native Communist movement." -Kim fled to the USSR in 1940 as a commander. When in the USSR, Kim most likely learned various military techniques as well as indoctrination techniques from Stalin himself.

__Context__ Russia took Kim (who at the time was a fugitive from the Japanese) and taught him various militaristic and Communistic techniques. After being defeated by the Japanese army, Kim fled to Russia where he would become a captain in the Red Army. When the Red Army declared war on the Japanese in August of 1945, Stalin realized, after a quick victory, that he would soon need a puppet leader to head a Communistic regime in North Korea. Stalin soon began "teaching" Kim through militaristic methods and (possibly) his methods of fear. Today the people of the world do not know what exactly is happening in North Korea (save for a few reporters who are let in)...reflects how constricted Kim has made N. Korea. Stalin wanted a private restricted regime and he may have taught Kim this technique; if so the effects of this contained method is still felt today.

__Summer Plan__ This summer I plan to finish majority of my IA. I will purchase several books that pertain to my topic (from America as well as Shanghai). Having my research aim toned down (Krelim's effect on Kim's militaristic style), I will start to focus down on the specifics that will help me reach my research goal/aim.

Tim's Comment: Nice job. I like your research questions. But I don't think that it's focused enough, 1950s is a pretty large time period. Maybe focus on one aspect that the Kremlin tried to influence Kim? Another thing, I understand your question and answer format, but obviously that's not enough to make an essay. Plus it would be nice to see a list of sources you're gonna use or at least some references that possibly will be in your IA. And find what specific technique(s).