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Joseph Stalin (1878–1953) was the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, ruling with an iron grip and transforming the USSR into a global superpower. Rising to power after Vladimir Lenin's death, Stalin consolidated control through purges, political repression, and a cult of personality. His policies, including forced collectivization and rapid industrialization, drastically modernized the Soviet economy but led to widespread famine and suffering, most notably the Holodomor in Ukraine. During World War II, he played a crucial role in the defeat of Nazi Germany, solidifying Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe and laying the groundwork for the Cold War. Despite his brutal tactics, he remains a complex and controversial figure in history, remembered for both his ruthless repression and his role in shaping the modern world.