Technicalities

[Anna-Linda]

Please pardon me for this rather basic, dull question.

I have very little knowledge of Stalin-era politics, but I am writing a paper about Sergei Eisenstein in which he has a meeting with Stalin, Molotov, and Zhdanov. What is the most accurate title I can give to Molotov and Zhdanov without using their full "Soviet party leader and head of the Allied Control..." etc. titles? Could they both be called "party leaders"? "Commissars"?

Thanks in advance.

[Deni]

"Party leaders" is quite correct. The word 'commissars' is more related to the first years of the Russian revolution and meant just minister of the Bolshevik goverment. The second meaning of this word is 'ideologic representative of the Party' in low unities of the Soviet Army. Something like 'ideological chaplains' for the Soviet soldiers.

[Anna-Linda]

My paper and I thank you greatly!