Joseph Stalin's Milestones

Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union, transformed it into a global superpower, led the Allies to victory in WWII, and enforced brutal policies that shaped the 20th century.
1878

Birth

Joseph Stalin was born Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili in Gori, Georgia, to Besarion Jughashvili and Ketevan Geladze.

Family December 18, 1878
1890

Father's death

His father died when Stalin was a child, leaving his mother to raise him.

Family January 1, 1890
1894

Attended Tiflis Theological Seminary

Studied at the Tiflis Theological Seminary before being expelled for revolutionary activities.

Education September 1, 1894 - May 29, 1899
1898

Began revolutionary activity

Joined underground Marxist groups and began revolutionary activism in Georgia.

Other January 1, 1898 - January 1, 1903
1903

Joined Bolsheviks

Joined the Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party.

Career January 1, 1903
1908

Exiled to Siberia

Exiled multiple times to Siberia for revolutionary activities.

Other January 1, 1908 - March 1, 1917
1917

October Revolution

Played a key role in the Bolshevik October Revolution.

Achievement October 25, 1917

People's Commissar for Nationalities

Appointed People's Commissar for Nationalities in the Soviet government.

Career November 13, 1917 - July 9, 1923
1922

General Secretary

Served as General Secretary of the Communist Party, consolidating power.

Career April 3, 1922 - October 16, 1952
1928

First Five-Year Plan

Launched the First Five-Year Plan to rapidly industrialize the Soviet Union.

Achievement October 1, 1928 - December 31, 1932
1936

Great Purge

Orchestrated the Great Purge, leading to widespread arrests and executions.

Other August 19, 1936 - November 17, 1938
1941

World War II leadership

Led the Soviet Union during World War II, including the Battle of Stalingrad.

Achievement June 22, 1941 - May 9, 1945
1945

Postwar expansion

Oversaw Soviet expansion and the beginning of the Cold War.

Achievement May 9, 1945 - March 5, 1953
1953

Death

Joseph Stalin died in Moscow, ending his controversial rule.

Other March 5, 1953