Joseph Stalin, the dictator of the Soviet Union, ruled from 1928 until his death in 1953. He came to power by a brand of dictatorship that relied on widespread lies and a secret police force to eliminate anyone against him. He modernized the country through “Five Year Plans,” which consisted of forced industrialization. Farmers were denied private property, and food was exported for industrial growth. Despite Stalin’s harsh rule, the Soviet Union under his leadership became a world power and even acquired a brief technological lead in space exploration.
At the start of World War II, Stalin formed an alliance with Adolf Hitler and Germany. However, Hitler hated Stalin and the Germans made a surprise attack on the Soviet Union in 1941. In order to fight off the Germans, Stalin joined the Allies of Britain and the United States. After a terrible war, where many on both sides died, the Germans were defeated.
After World War II, Stalin set up puppet governments in the Eastern European countries that the Soviet Union had "freed" from Germany. These governments were ran by the Soviet Union. This started the Cold War between the two world superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States.
At the start of World War II, Stalin formed an alliance with Adolf Hitler and Germany. However, Hitler hated Stalin and the Germans made a surprise attack on the Soviet Union in 1941. In order to fight off the Germans, Stalin joined the Allies of Britain and the United States. After a terrible war, where many on both sides died, the Germans were defeated.
After World War II, Stalin set up puppet governments in the Eastern European countries that the Soviet Union had "freed" from Germany. These governments were ran by the Soviet Union. This started the Cold War between the two world superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States.