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History Extra podcast

Life of the Week: Stalin

Jan 9, 2024
An in-depth look at the life of Josef Stalin, charting his childhood in Georgia, his rise to power as the dictator of the Soviet Union and his impact on the post-war world. The experts explore Stalin's early life, his role in the Russian Revolution, the implementation of collectivization, the Holodomor, and the Great Terror, as well as his personal dictatorship, alliance with Nazi Germany, and the connection between Stalinism and Leninism. They also discuss his personal life, intelligence, and the devastating effects of his rule on Russia.
46:26

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Quick takeaways

  • Stalin's rise to power after Lenin's death solidified his role as the dictator of the Soviet Union.
  • Stalin's implementation of policies such as collectivization and the five-year plan resulted in devastating consequences such as the Holodomor.

Deep dives

Stalin's Early Life and Rise in the Russian Revolution

Stalin, originally named Gare, was born in Georgia and came from a poor family. Despite a rebellious nature, he excelled as a student and attended an ecclesiastical seminary where he rebelled against the strict discipline before leaving. He later joined the revolutionary movement and played a leading role among the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution of 1917.

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