- Born on December 18, 1879, in Gori, Georgia, Russian Empire (present-day Georgia).
- Originally named Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, he later adopted the pseudonym Stalin, meaning "man of steel."
- Influenced by Marxist ideas, he joined the Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party in the early 1900s.
- As a revolutionary, Stalin actively participated in protests, strikes, and underground activities against the Tsarist regime.
Rise to Power
- After the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, Stalin became a prominent figure within the new Soviet government led by Vladimir Lenin.
- He served in various important positions, including the People's Commissar of Nationalities (1917-1922) and the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1922-1953).
Collectivization and the Great Purge
- After Lenin's death in 1924, Stalin emerged as the leader of the Soviet Union through political maneuvering and consolidation of power.
- He implemented a policy of rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture, resulting in significant economic growth and societal upheaval.
- Stalin's regime was characterized by harsh suppression of political dissent and widespread repression, leading to the Great Purge of the 1930s, where millions of people were arrested, imprisoned, or executed.
World War II and the "Great Patriotic War"
- During World War II, from 1941 to 1945, the Soviet Union fought against Nazi Germany, which invaded the country.
- As the General Secretary and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Soviet Armed Forces, Stalin played a crucial role in leading the defense against the German invasion.
- The war, known as the "Great Patriotic War" in the Soviet Union, resulted in the loss of millions of Soviet lives but also solidified Stalin's position as the country's undisputed leader.
Cold War and Post-War Period
- Following the war, Stalin engaged in a series of conflicts with the Western Allies, leading to the beginning of the Cold War.
- He pursued the expansion of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe and supported communist movements worldwide.
- Stalin's domestic policies in the post-war period aimed to further strengthen Soviet power and rebuild the country's economy and infrastructure.
Death and Legacy
- Joseph Stalin died on March 5, 1953, at the age of 74, under circumstances that remain unclear, possibly related to a power struggle within the Soviet leadership.
- After his death, Stalin's cult of personality was gradually dismantled by his successor, Nikita Khrushchev.
- Stalin's legacy remains controversial and complex, marked by the achievements and successes of his rule balanced against the repression, violence, and human rights abuses that occurred under his leadership.