Joseph Stalin, born as Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, led the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as absolute dictator from 1929 to 1953. After Stalin established his supremacy, he abused the power he gained. This resulted in unimaginable destruction to the USSR. After analyzing Stalin’s early life, implemented policies, and global impact, we can see that Stalin was a ruthless leader. Joseph Stalin was born on December 18, 1878, in the small town of Gori, Georgia to peasant parents. Throughout his life, he was influenced by many people to become the oppressive leader that he was. For example, he grew up poor and an only child so his father constantly gave him severe beatings and punishments. Additionally, when he was young, Stalin contracted
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History.com states, “His development plan was centered on government control of the economy and included the forced collectivization of Soviet agriculture, in which the government took control of farms.” However, this shows that he was a careless ruler because he used force to take away from the citizens. Due to the system of collectivization, paired with totalitarian rule, the crop was reduced. Moreover, he used prison labor, as the prisoners had no choice and Stalin’s secret police can arrest more people, for industrial growth. “Workers were forced to work not only out of fright but would lose housing and food rations if unemployed” (Cambridge). Stalin is threatening and intimidating the citizens in order to achieve his goals. These qualities show that Stalin does not care for the citizens and proves that he is a relentless …show more content…
Stalin controlled every aspect of the lives of the citizens. According to The Rise of Totalitarianism, “Stalin used propaganda, censorship, and terror to force his will on the Soviet people.” Stalin used the act of propaganda by having newspapers glorify his work and write false information regarding his good intentions. He censored all work, such as books, that go against him or his beliefs. Lastly, his secret police constantly spied on citizens, and anyone who did not praise Stalin faced severe consequences. A good leader does not need to set lies or terrorize people in order for them to praise him. In addition, Stalin was an oppressive dictator, meaning that individual rights had no meaning. The totalitarian government that Stalin created shows that he was a cruel leader. Stalin used a system of secret police to enforce his power against the Soviet people. First, the secret police spied on the people, ensuring that they are praising Stalin. This takes away their rights to privacy. Unfortunately, if the secret police found that a person was not admiring Stalin, they would take action and suppress them. From there, the secret police would give the people severe punishments, including death. This further supports the idea that Stalin was pitiless because he would execute people at
History.com states, “His development plan was centered on government control of the economy and included the forced collectivization of Soviet agriculture, in which the government took control of farms.” However, this shows that he was a careless ruler because he used force to take away from the citizens. Due to the system of collectivization, paired with totalitarian rule, the crop was reduced. Moreover, he used prison labor, as the prisoners had no choice and Stalin’s secret police can arrest more people, for industrial growth. “Workers were forced to work not only out of fright but would lose housing and food rations if unemployed” (Cambridge). Stalin is threatening and intimidating the citizens in order to achieve his goals. These qualities show that Stalin does not care for the citizens and proves that he is a relentless …show more content…
Stalin controlled every aspect of the lives of the citizens. According to The Rise of Totalitarianism, “Stalin used propaganda, censorship, and terror to force his will on the Soviet people.” Stalin used the act of propaganda by having newspapers glorify his work and write false information regarding his good intentions. He censored all work, such as books, that go against him or his beliefs. Lastly, his secret police constantly spied on citizens, and anyone who did not praise Stalin faced severe consequences. A good leader does not need to set lies or terrorize people in order for them to praise him. In addition, Stalin was an oppressive dictator, meaning that individual rights had no meaning. The totalitarian government that Stalin created shows that he was a cruel leader. Stalin used a system of secret police to enforce his power against the Soviet people. First, the secret police spied on the people, ensuring that they are praising Stalin. This takes away their rights to privacy. Unfortunately, if the secret police found that a person was not admiring Stalin, they would take action and suppress them. From there, the secret police would give the people severe punishments, including death. This further supports the idea that Stalin was pitiless because he would execute people at