Stalin, Joseph
In 1903, Stalin (an assumed name meaning Man of Steel) joins the
Communist Party. In 1924, Stalin executes other members of the ruling
committee, gaining control of entire party. In 1928 he orders the
liquidation of 4.5 million kulaks (rich landowners) who resist
collectivization of agriculture. In 1932, he starts a famine in the
Ukraine and in the Caucasus that will kill millions. He does this to
starve kulaks who still resist collectivization, seizing their grain and
livestock, and keeping out relief supplies.
In 1935, Stalin
strangles his
eldest son Jakov, and kills two of his daughters. In 1936, he begins a
Great Purge (Yezhovschina) which will take an estimated 8 to 10 million
lives in the next 2 years as he liquidates his political enemies.
Authorities believe he is responsible for killing at least 60 million
Russians who stood in the way of his quest for power.
One of his
most stunning quotes came after he had personally signed death warrants for
62,000 military officers who were resisting him.
"To choose
ones victims,
to prepare one's plan minutely, to slack an implacable vengeance, and then
to go to bed - there is nothing sweeter in the world."
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