4. Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, ruled with an iron fist from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953. His regime was marked by *brutal purges*, forced collectivization, and widespread terror.
Stalin’s policies led to the Great Famine in the early 1930s, resulting in the deaths of millions, particularly in Ukraine. He instilled fear through the *NKVD*, executing perceived enemies and dissenters, often without trial. Despite his role in defeating Nazi Germany during World War II, Stalin’s legacy is marred by his authoritarian rule and the profound suffering he inflicted on his own people.
