Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugoshvili, better known as Joseph Stalin, was born on 18th December 1878 to Ketevan Geladze and Besarion Jughashvili in Gori, Georgia (which was then part of the Russian Empire). Stalin grew up in modest standard of living since his father was a shoe maker/repairer (cobbler). He was the fourth but only child because the previous sons died in infancy.
At age sixteen, Stalin received a scholarship to a Georgian Orthodox seminary. Though he performed quite well there, he caused chaos and on a number of times rebelled against the imperialist and religious order. He was later expelled for missing his final exams in 1899. Some also state that he was expelled for reading banned and illegal literature and for forming a Social Democratic group or society.
Although Stalin never graduated, he kept himself busy by devoting his time to the Revolutionary movement against the Russian Monarchy soon after discovering the writings of Vladimir Lenin. He spent the next 15 years as a socialist activist and, consequently, on a number of occasions he was arrested and exiled to Siberia.
*•While in exile, in Siberia, he changed his name to Joseph Stalin. Stalin means 'Man of Steel'.*
After Lenin’s death, it was unclear who would succeed as leader of the party. The main power struggle was between two. Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. Even though Lenin’s last political testament was revealed, which stated that Stalin is too harsh and should be urgently removed from this party post, the party congress chose Stalin over his main rival – Trotsky. A choice many lived to regret.
Even after Stalin takes charge, Trotsky and his followers are seen as a threat to Stalin and his dictatorial ideas. Stalin publicly humiliates Trotsky by exiling him to Alma Ata in Kazakhstan.
Stalin steadily increased his power and got rid of those who opposed him or were against his reforms.
Stalin banned the Russian Orthodox religion, the faith of millions of Russians. He permitted loyalty to nothing and no one other than himself. Consequently all Russians churches and imagery were destroyed while Russian Orthodox priests were targeted for execution.
After three years of power, he announces his first five-year plan. He planned a new Russia. He launched a program of sudden industrialization to transform Russia into a global superpower – which drew many Russian man to slavery.
Joseph took away from his people giant farms that helped paying for the industrial revolution in Russia, therefore causing starvation to millions.
Although Stalin was a ruthless leader he also reformed things to the better.
§ He gave women education and jobs.
§ Transportation throughout the country was improved by the newly built railway lines.
Joseph Stalin died of a stroke in 1953.