4. Stalin’s Consolidation of Power
Joseph Stalin, initially a champion of workers’ rights during the Russian Revolution, secured leadership after Lenin’s death in 1924. To consolidate his authority, he orchestrated the Great Purge (1936-1938), a campaign of political repression that led to the execution of hundreds of thousands and the imprisonment of millions in labor camps. Stalin also implemented strict censorship, controlling all forms of media to eliminate dissent and promote his ideology. These actions transformed the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state, marked by fear and forced loyalty. (history.com)
