What:? The totalitarian dictator of the Soviet Union responsible for the deaths of over 40 million of his citizens.

Who?: Josef Stalin

Where?: The Soviet Union

When?: 1924-1953

Why?: Stalin seizes control following Lenin’s death and he maintains his hold of power by eliminating (killing) his enemies (real or imagined)

How?:
1)Stalin used fear and intimidation to accomplish his goals.
2)Censorship of the media and the arts
3) An active secret police (NKVD/KGB)
4)Collectivized Soviet agriculture removing peasants from the land which caused a massive famine.

Accomplishments:
1)Led the USSR to victory in WWII
2)Modernized Soviet industry
3)Expanded Soviet the Soviet sphere of influence to include Eastern Europe.

Associated Terms: 1) Autocracy,2) Dictatorship, 3) Totalitarian, 4) Great Purge 5) Collectivization 6) Five Year Plans