Joseph Stalin

Intro Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin[h] 18 December [O.S. 6 December] 1878[3] – 5 March 1953) was a Soviet revolutionary and political leader who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953. He held power as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1922–1952) and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union (1941–1953). Initially governing the country as part of a collective leader.