Joseph Stalin Research Paper

Joseph Stalin, has been a great leader of the Soviet Union dating back to1929. Born on December 18th, 1879 to the Full name Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili he later shortened it to Joseph Stalin meaning “Man of Steel,” derived form the Russian word “stal.”(Biography, 2011) Although Stalin did not begin ruling Russia at an early age his years of dictatorship did, starting back in 1912. From then on his leadership began to climb towards the high dominion he’s so well known for today! Stalin came across many obstacles and encountered many stepping stones on his way to superior authority. Each marked and important event in the Soviet Union’s path to excellence. Even though some of his people did not make it through his govern ship, he has made
Russia a better country in which we live today.

When Stalin first joined a secret revolutionary group in 1898 he became familiar with many protests.
This sparked his first encounter with a position in government. In 1901 Stalin began writing for the Brdzola which published many of his revolutionary articles and ideas(Simkin, 1978). Towards the end of 1901, he was accepted into the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party but only six years later, in 1907 he was expelled (Biography 2011). Why you ask? In between that time frame Stalin was taken into custody multiple times for numerous crimes and even exiled out of the country! However, his luck changed in 1912 when Vladimir Lenin appointed Stalin to the Bolshevik Central Committee(Simkin, 1978). Under this condition he was appointed multiple jobs and had to oblige by various orders. Later, he was even appointed the advantage of people’s Commissar for Nationalities, and later the commissar of worker’s and peasant’s inspection(Simkin,1978). After years of hard work, in 1922, he finally received the position he most gravely wanted, General Secretary of the Communist Party. Stalin was on his way to absolute power and now able to control appointments, workers’ schedules, relocate officials and make his was up the ladder while increasing his superior power. After Lenin’s death in 1924, Stalin finally had his big shot. Not many years later, in 1929 Joseph Stalin took Lenin’s reign and became absolute ruler of The Soviet
Union.

Wanting to be on top, Stalin took his new authority to the next level. Determined to make sure no one could bring him down or no opponent could demolish his country Stalin started the chain of five-year plans. The first plan was to industrialize the country, the production of machinery and farm equipment became more and more prominent throughout the following years(Biography, 2011). Secondly, as a goal to end private farming Stalin wanted to combine several small farms by a jointly operated system owned by the government. For a third goal he hoped to also increase the production of agriculture. As a result, this caused an intense refusal from the peasant class. Those who were hostile to Stalin’s orders were either banished, or put to death along with treated to a great famine killing of about 10 million peasants(Simkin, 1978). However despite these incidents Stalin achieved his goals. Demolishment of private farming and a growth in agriculture was a success and Stalin’s five-year plans were beginning to triumph. Stalin had finally overcome the economic difficulties that us Russians had brought amongst ourselves.

Stalin was also prepared to handle anyone who objected to his strategic operations.
As most leaders experience, there was also a time of sorrow during Stalin’s reign. What we all now recognize as the Great Purge was one of Stalin’s creations. Everyone was living under the fear of his power with no escape. Wiping out most of all the Bolsheviks and many army officers was just the beginning(Simkin, 1978). Innocent men were charged with horrible crimes, that most did now commit, in the Moscow show trials. In 1938 more than half of the Communist Party members were dead, and many of the commissioners were arrested(Simkin, 1978). Stalin even took effect on the civilians when his secret police incarcerated many men and women in concentration camps. This was not a high point in Stalin’s reign however, he had achieved his goal in gaining complete control of Russia. Four years ago, in 1939 Stalin signed a treaty with Adolph Hitler which would guarantee Russia’s protection from Germany’s intentions to acquire the rest of Europe(Biography, 2011). The two most powerful rulers, Stalin and Hitler then worked together to invade parts of Poland. However the nonaggressive pact was broken when, in June 1941, Hitler ordered German troops to invade our grounds. You can scrutinize much further details of the attack in my other article “Operation Blue.” During the last months of July through September, The Red Army was capable of keeping the German siege under control. By doing so, Stalin reached
the height of his popularity and righteousness amongst our country. Just recently, in November of 1943, Stalin has met with Winston Churchill (Prime Minister of the UK) and Franklin Roosevelt (President of the United States) in Iran at the Tehran Conference where they agreed to join arms until Germany was defeated(Biography, 2011). Labeled the “Big Three”, strong and powerful, are determined to end this war, its only a matter of time mixed with a little hope to see them conquer.

Even though in his early years Stalin was not always honest nor loyal, he was constant and decisive which led him to rewarding power over Russia. He would completely discard his rivals and conspire unfavorably towards other world politicians. However, once Stalin had absolute power, he would use any tactic possible to make sure his country was indestructible. Due to the great famine, labor camps and his infamous purging(Biography, 2011), many of his people believe he runs an inhumane dictatorship. Joseph Stalin did however, acquire immense rulership, pull his country out of economic turmoil and defeat the Germans from taking control of the Western portion of Russia. His reign marks the significance and victorious defeats of the Soviets. Although Stalin’s rule is considered extremely barbaric to some, he was and still is seen in some people’s vision a liberator, one who reaches power and prestige.