Within thirty one years Josef Stalin was able to turn economically unstable USSR into one of the world’s greatest super power through the use of his totalitarian dictatorship. Stalin took power over Russia after Vladimir Lenin’s sudden death. To receive the position Stalin was put in a leadership against Leon Trotsky.Stalin was very clever when it came to associating himself with Lenin. He even went as far to tell Trotsky the Lenin’s death was on a different day, so he could be the candidate there (Walsh, 1996). Stalin would also try to be superior to Trotsky by contradicting Trotsky. As one can see stalin is a very smart and clever man, but can have vile intent. Stalin was able to become a draconian totalitarian leader because he controlled the economy, implemented fear, and had much social influence.
Initially, Josef Stalin was able to gain total control of the country through the economy. Stalin’s five year plans elevated the industrialization of the USSR and
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One of the many ways Stalin achieved this is by the threat of labour camps. Many people knew the conditions of the camps were horrible and that many died in the camps. With all of Stalin’s rules and regulations there was the threat of labour camps if one did not comply. This threat forced many people to obey and be loyal to Stalin. Stalin was also very public about his views on death to achieve want he wanted. Stalin once said, “Death solves all problems. No man - no problem.” (Richard Pipes, 10 November 1991). Stalin displays this through his purges anyone who was a threat to him or didn’t obey him was murdered or imprisoned (Walsh, 1996). This put much fear in the country. Many people were randomly imprisoned in the middle of the night without reason. The people’s fear fed Stalin’s power. The more fear he implemented the more the people obeyed and followed him. As one can see Stalin’s many actions to keep power were