Joseph Stalin (Ioseb Besarionis Dze Jughashvili)

Joseph Stalin, born Ioseb Besarionis Dze Jughashvili in 1878, was a Soviet leader who ruled from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953. He transformed the Soviet Union into a major world power through rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture, often at great human cost. His regime was marked by widespread purges, repression, and the establishment of a totalitarian state. Stalin played a significant role during World War II, leading the USSR to victory against Nazi Germany. His legacy remains controversial, as he is viewed both as a pivotal figure in modern history and as a symbol of oppression.