‘Patriotism and multinationalism’ analyses Soviet efforts to combine one strong state with a multiplicity of ethnic and linguistic groups. Ethnicity was a matter of personal identity, as well as an administrative one. Nationhood was considered part of the Marxist process of modernization, and so nation-building took place, but without political autonomy. As Stalin's reign progressed, the focus shifted to Soviet patriotism, accompanied by ethnic violence and discrimination. A combination of the failure of russification, and growing nationalist sentiment due to urbanization meant that federalism began to unravel, and nations claimed independence. Russia itself eventually tired of the USSR. Ethnic violence amongst former Soviet nations is an ongoing legacy.