Death solves all problems - no man, no problem.
- Joseph Stalin
Date of Birth: December 18, 1878
Date of Death: March 5, 1953 Early Years: Joseph Stalin grew up in a poor family and as an only child. When he was young, he contracted smallpox; which left him with lifelong scars. When he was a teenager, he earned a scholarship to attend a seminary in the nearby city of Tblisi. He went to study for the priesthood in the Georgian Orthodox Church. While attending that school, he began to secretly read the "Communist Manifesto" by Karl Marx. This led him to becoming interested in the revolutionary movement against the Russian monarchy. In 1899, Stalin was expelled from the seminary because he missed some exams. He later became an underground political agitator, taking part in labor demonstrations and strikes. He adopted the name Koba and joined the Bolsheviks. They were led by Vladimir Lenin. He also became involved in many criminal activities. While performing these criminal activities, he was also arrested multiple times between 1902 and 1913, and subjected to imprisonment and exile in Siberia. Family Life: As a child, Joseph's father was a shoemaker and alcoholic. He was often beat by his father. His mom was a laundress. In 1906, Stalin married Ekaterina "Kato" Svanidze. She was also a seamstress. They had one son, Yakov. After his first wife died, Stalin married for a second time to Nadezhda "Nadya" Alliluyeva. She was the daughter of a Russian Revolutionary. They had a son and daughter. Joseph Stalin also fathered several children out of wedlock. Influences: Joseph had a main source of influence, Karl Marx. Rise to Power: In 1912, the Switzerland exiled Lenin appointed Stalin to serve on the first Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party. In 1917, three years later, they seized power in Russia. The Soviet Union was found in 1922, with Lenin as its first leader. Stalin continued to move up the party ladder and even became secretary general of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. This role allowed him to appoint allies and grow a base for political support. After Lenin's death, Stalin eventually outmaneuvered his rivals and won the power struggle for the control of the Communist Party. He later became the dictator of the Soviet Union. |
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The Soviet Union Under Stalin:
Stalin launched a five-year plan to transform the Union. He transformed the Union from a peasant society to an industrial superpower. His plan was based on government control on the economy and included forced collectivization of agriculture. This made many farmers angry, but if they resisted, they were shot or exiled. This caused widespread famine. He ruled by terror and eliminated anyone who went against him. He expanded the power of the secret police and encouraged "backstabbing" people (spying, turning others in, etc.) He also instituted the Great Purge in the 1930s which were designed to get rid of the Communist Party, the military, and other parts of the Soviet society who he considered a threat. Stalin built a cult of personality around himself in the Soviet Union. Cities were named in his honor, history books were rewritten to praise him, artwork, literature, music, and most importantly his name became part of the national anthem.
World War II:
In 1939, Joseph Stalin signed a nonaggression pact with Adolf Hitler. Stalin then invaded many other European countries. In 1941, Germany broke the Nazi Soviet Pact and invaded the USSR. Stalin stayed and battled them, and soon, the Red Army defeated the Germans and drove them out of Russia.
Later Years:
Stalin grew very paranoid in his later years. He died on March 5, 1953 at the age of 74. His cause of death was a stroke.
Stalin launched a five-year plan to transform the Union. He transformed the Union from a peasant society to an industrial superpower. His plan was based on government control on the economy and included forced collectivization of agriculture. This made many farmers angry, but if they resisted, they were shot or exiled. This caused widespread famine. He ruled by terror and eliminated anyone who went against him. He expanded the power of the secret police and encouraged "backstabbing" people (spying, turning others in, etc.) He also instituted the Great Purge in the 1930s which were designed to get rid of the Communist Party, the military, and other parts of the Soviet society who he considered a threat. Stalin built a cult of personality around himself in the Soviet Union. Cities were named in his honor, history books were rewritten to praise him, artwork, literature, music, and most importantly his name became part of the national anthem.
World War II:
In 1939, Joseph Stalin signed a nonaggression pact with Adolf Hitler. Stalin then invaded many other European countries. In 1941, Germany broke the Nazi Soviet Pact and invaded the USSR. Stalin stayed and battled them, and soon, the Red Army defeated the Germans and drove them out of Russia.
Later Years:
Stalin grew very paranoid in his later years. He died on March 5, 1953 at the age of 74. His cause of death was a stroke.
In "Animal Farm"
In Animal Farm, Joseph Stalin was represented by the pig, Napoleon. Ever since the beginning of this novel, Napoleon is introduced as an opportunist with a corrupt mind. Napoleon the pig only thinks for himself. Even though he participates in meetings, he chooses to benefit himself by training a liter of puppies to work for him. Directly related to history, this liter of puppies represents the Secret Police. Napoleon, like Stalin, was able to gain popularity by convincing the farm animals that they weren't happy with the way things are. He promises that he could build something better for all of them, but just wants the power to himself.
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Joseph Stalin is used as an example to base Napoleon off of because in this novel, Napoleon is a dictator. He is a political tyrant on the farm. Napoleon is a bully to the other farm animals. Napoleon, however, is named after the French dictator Napoleon who betrayed his country's democratic duties. He wanted to take over the world like Hitler. The name relates to Napoleon's character and also the person he is based off of.