1.
Joseph Stalin

2. Rise to Power Lenin had wanted Leon Trotsky to succeed him
However, Stalin stresses his eternal devotion to Lenin (plans his funeral, gives speeches)
Became General Secretary of Communist Party 1923

3. Trotsky

4. By 1927 Trotsky and other rivals are expelled from the party
In 1928, Stalin began the first of his 5-year plans
The goal was to improve industry and agriculture (Gov’t takes over)
Many resisted this and it was believed that as many as 3 million were killed (Kulaks)

5. Total Power Created the Central Purge Commission in 1933
Over a million are kicked out of the party
Millions were sent to gulags, prison labor camps
Also had “Show Trials” between

7. At the show trials, people were forced to confess and were executed (torture & rewards; anti-Stalin & spying)
It was estimated that 35,000 military officers were imprisoned or executed
This will come back to haunt Stalin
Trotsky flees to Mexico

8. Cult of Personality Stalin adopted this
This means that countries use mass media to portray a heroic image of a leader
Statues were made large to hide the fact that he was only 5 foot 4

10. Stalin and Hitler
Hitler and Stalin signed a Non-Aggression Pact in August of 1939
Each side vows not to attack the other
World War II will start less than two weeks later