| General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU, Marshal of the USSR, dictator Date of Birth: 21.12.1879 |
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin(1879-1953), born Iosif Dzhugashvili in Gori, Georgia, was an active participant in the October Revolution and the Russian Civil War.
In 1922, Stalin became General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). He gradually consolidated his power, becoming Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) in 1941.
At the start of World War II in June 1941, Stalin received conflicting reports about the invasion's progress. Initially, he remained optimistic but soon acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
As Head of State, Defense Minister, Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and Chairman of the State Defense Committee, Stalin was responsible for organizing the war effort and leading the Allied coalition against Nazi Germany.
The rapid loss of territory in the early stages of the war sent Stalin into a psychological shock. However, he quickly recovered and took decisive action to strengthen the Red Army and mobilize the nation.
Stalin played an active role in directing the war effort, overseeing military operations, industrial production, and propaganda campaigns.
The Red Army achieved early successes in the Battle of Elnya and attempted to break the Leningrad siege. However, catastrophe struck at Kiev, resulting in heavy losses.
In October 1941, Stalin faced the critical decision of whether to defend Moscow. Despite initial opposition, he rallied his generals and ordered the defense of the capital.
In the fall of 1941, the Soviet army launched successful counteroffensives at Tihvin and Rostov-on-Don. The Red Army regained the strategic initiative, pushing the Germans back in the Moscow area.
In 1942, the Red Army launched a series of major offensive operations, including the Battle of Stalingrad. Stalin faced setbacks in the Crimea and Kharkiv, but the strategic decision to encircle and destroy the German forces at Stalingrad became a turning point in the war.
Joseph Stalin's leadership during World War II was marked by both successes and failures. His authoritarian rule and ruthless tactics were responsible for significant losses and suffering, but he also played a key role in the defeat of Nazi Germany. His legacy remains controversial, with some historians crediting him with saving the Soviet Union while others condemn him for his brutal dictatorship.