1. Stalin's rise to power and rule (1928 - 1941)
Following Lenin's death, Stalin was successful in securing the leadership of the Soviet Union. His polices were to lead to a radical transformation of the economy, causing severe hardship for the Soviet people in the process. At the same time the population was subjected to a Terror which indiscriminately targeted huge numbers of people. However, at the end of the 1930s Stalinism had transformed the Soviet Union from a backward state into an industrialised nation that would be capable of winning the war against Nazi Germany in the 1940s.
As a starting point to this topic, you might want to review the content and activities on this page: 4. The Bolshevik consolidation of power (1918 - 1924)
1a. Stalin's rise to power
Lenin had led the Soviet Union since the October Revolution of 1917. After his death in 1924 there was a power struggle between the leading Bolsheviks from which Josef Stalin emerged victorious.
1b. Stalin's economic policies 1928-41
Stalin's polices between 1928 and 1941 were to lead to a radical transformation of the economy, causing severe hardship for the Soviet people in the process.
1c. Stalin - Purges and Great Terror
Stalin sought to revolutionise the Communist Party and consolidate his power through a series of purges and Show Trials.
1d. Stalin - government and propaganda
Stalin set out to create his own cult of personality and amidst the chaos and trauma caused by his economic polices, the purges and the terror, propaganda further helped Stalin to maintain power.