1. Joseph Stalin 1879-1953

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

3. Rise to Power • 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 • Government takes over • Many resisted this and it was believed that as many as 3 million were killed (Kulaks) • Why would the Kulaks resist?

4. 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 1937-1938

6. Stalin’s Rule • 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

7. Cult of Personality • arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized, heroic, and, at times god-like public image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise. • Statues were made large to hide the fact that he was only 5 foot 4

9. Inside North Korea • http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/explorer/videos/inside-north-korea/

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