Historical Encyclopedia
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (1878-1953) was one of the most controversial and significant leaders of the 20th century, who became the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and effectively ruled the country from the late 1920s until his death in 1953. His rule was characterized both by a period of industrialization and collectivization as well as by mass repression and terror.
Stalin was born on December 18, 1878, in Gori, Georgia. He was the son of a shoemaker and a laundress. In his youth, he became interested in revolutionary ideas and joined the RSDLP (Russian Social Democratic Labour Party). In 1903, he became a supporter of the Bolsheviks and actively participated in revolutionary activities, which ultimately led to his arrests and exiles.
After the October Revolution of 1917, Stalin occupied key positions in the party, and following the death of Vladimir Lenin in 1924, he began a power struggle with other leaders such as Leon Trotsky. By 1928, Stalin had firmly established his position, becoming the de facto dictator of the Soviet Union.
Stalin initiated large-scale reforms aimed at the industrialization of the country. This included the creation of five-year plans that set ambitious production growth targets. The collectivization of agriculture led to the creation of collective farms and the dispossession of wealthy peasants, which in turn caused famine that took millions of lives, especially in Ukraine (Holodomor).
In the 1930s, Stalin initiated massive repressions known as the "Great Terror." Millions of people were arrested, sent to GULAG camps, or shot. These repressions affected not only party activists but also members of the intelligentsia, peasants, and even ordinary workers. Fear and distrust became the foundation of public life in the Soviet Union.
During World War II, Stalin became one of the key allies in the fight against Nazism. The beginning of the war was difficult for the USSR: in 1941, German troops launched Operation Barbarossa, and the Soviet army suffered significant losses. However, after the successful defense of Moscow and victory at Stalingrad (1943), the USSR went on the offensive and played a decisive role in the victory over Germany in 1945.
After the war, Stalin continued to consolidate his power both domestically and internationally. He initiated a series of Stalinist campaigns aimed at strengthening control over Eastern Europe, leading to the formation of the "Iron Curtain" and the beginning of the Cold War. Stalin actively supported communist movements in other countries, which raised concerns in the West.
Stalin died on March 5, 1953. His death led to political changes in the USSR and the beginning of the process of de-Stalinization initiated by Nikita Khrushchev. Stalin's legacy remains controversial: many praise him for industrialization and victory in World War II, while others condemn him for repression and crimes against humanity.
Joseph Stalin became a symbol of a complex and contradictory period in the history of the Soviet Union. His influence on the politics, economy, and social life of the country is still felt today. Studying his life and reign helps to better understand not only Russian but also world history of the 20th century.