Joseph Stalin was a Russian political leader, who was the undisputed leader of the U.S.S.R. from 1929 and until his death. Born Isoif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, he adopted the pseudonym Stalin, which means, "Man of Steel", while still a young revolutionary. Stalin institutionalised terror and was responsible for the death and deprivation of millions of people. There's no doubt that Stalin was a ruthless megalomaniac however, he also transformed the U.S.S.R. into a major world power and helped convert communism in the U.S.S.R. from an egalitarian, revolutionary movement into an authoritarian, bureaucratic governmental system.Stalin experienced a deprived childhood in poverty; his father was an alcoholic, unsuccessful cobbler and treated ...view middle of the document...
Stalin forced collectivised agriculture onto farmers and an estimated 25 million farmers were forced onto state farms. Many opposed to this plan including the Kulaks and as a result 5,000,000 Kulaks were murdered or starved to death. Stalin was evidently obsessed with industrialism and the consequences of his dream of an industrialised Russia were immense.Stalin overtime became acutely paranoid and eventually expelled countries of any opponents. Leon Trotsky was Stalin's long time primary opponent and their ideology's differed greatly. Although Stalin had already forced Trotsky's resignation and exiled him to Turkey, which cemented his grip on power that wasn't enough and eventually an ice pick silenced Trotsky forever. Subsequent to the expulsion of his opponents Stalin's paranoia didn't retreat and he consequently had 17 out of the 18 members of the Inner Cabinet of Polit Buro killed. 78 out of the 86 leaders in military were also killed under Stalin's order which left Russia very vulnerable and by 1938 1 in every 20 people were arrested. Stalin was believed death was always a solution and once quoted "Death solves all problems - no man, no problem".Much prosperity had risen under Stalin's rule and many from his beliefs. Stalin believed education was essential and therefore forced upon children which had raised the level of literacy in the country to 85%. Stalin also made unemployment unknown by forcing everyone to work even though it was under appalling conditions.In conclusion Stalin was a ruthless megalomaniac, he was ruled by terror and responsible for the deaths of millions of people however he more than any other individual moulded the features that characterized the Soviet regime while bringing numerous affluences to Russia.
