Josef Stalin (1878-1953) was the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953. He rose to power following the death of Vladimir Lenin and became the General Secretary of the Communist Party. Stalin is known for transforming the Soviet Union into a major world power through a series of five-year plans that focused on rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture. His regime was marked by widespread repression, including purges, forced labor camps (Gulags), and mass executions, leading to the deaths of millions. Stalin played a crucial role in World War II, particularly in the defeat of Nazi Germany, but his legacy is deeply controversial due to his authoritarian rule and the suffering it caused.
