Joseph Stalin is probably one of the most well - known dictators in world history. He is famous for his strict rule over the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). He is responsible for an estimated 20 million deaths and the times he spent as the ruler of Soviet Russia will never be forgotten.
Joseph Stalin was born Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili on December 18, 1879 in Gori, Georgia which was then a part of the Russian Empire. His Father was a cobbler and he and his family grew up in poverty. When he was 7 years old, he had small pox which left his face with permanent scar and his left arm slightly deformed. He did not learn to speak Russian until he was 8 years old. ( “Tyrants” by Nigel Cawthorne) …show more content…
His plans focused on government control of the economy. This included the forced collection of all agriculture, meaning the government took control of all farms. Millions of farmers refused and were killed for not cooperating. This also led to famine that spread across the Soviet Union and ended up causing the death of millions. His forced collection of agriculture cost the lives of millions, while his rapid industrialization achieved huge increases in Soviet productivity and economic growth but came at a large cost. In the late 1930’s Stalin started the “Great Purge” where he had millions sent to forced labor camps or killed on the spot. The population of the Soviet Union suffered during the “Great Purge”. During this time Stalin executed the people who were considered “ enemies of the people”. He killed thousands and exiled millions to the Gulag system of slave labor camps. These executions and exiles weakened the soviet army. Even though he was given repeated warnings, Stalin was not prepared for Adolf Hitler’s attack in June of 1941. The future of the Soviet Union was unsure but Stalin managed to lead Russia to victory.
Joseph Stalin was born Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili on December 18, 1879 in Gori, Georgia which was then a part of the Russian Empire. His Father was a cobbler and he and his family grew up in poverty. When he was 7 years old, he had small pox which left his face with permanent scar and his left arm slightly deformed. He did not learn to speak Russian until he was 8 years old. ( “Tyrants” by Nigel Cawthorne) …show more content…
His plans focused on government control of the economy. This included the forced collection of all agriculture, meaning the government took control of all farms. Millions of farmers refused and were killed for not cooperating. This also led to famine that spread across the Soviet Union and ended up causing the death of millions. His forced collection of agriculture cost the lives of millions, while his rapid industrialization achieved huge increases in Soviet productivity and economic growth but came at a large cost. In the late 1930’s Stalin started the “Great Purge” where he had millions sent to forced labor camps or killed on the spot. The population of the Soviet Union suffered during the “Great Purge”. During this time Stalin executed the people who were considered “ enemies of the people”. He killed thousands and exiled millions to the Gulag system of slave labor camps. These executions and exiles weakened the soviet army. Even though he was given repeated warnings, Stalin was not prepared for Adolf Hitler’s attack in June of 1941. The future of the Soviet Union was unsure but Stalin managed to lead Russia to victory.