For many years now, the relationship between the United States and the Russian governments can at best only be classified as complicated. The Russian government will forever be marred by the Communist ideals of the U.S.S.R., and for that reason has been consistently held at an arm’s length by many of the nations around the world. Americans have been both fascinated and repulsed by the Communist ideals of the U.S.S.R., and especially by its first General Secretary of the Communist Party, Josef Stalin. Stalin has been described as secretive, paranoid, highly intelligent, and an extremely dangerous military strategist. In short, Stalin embodies the very communist traits that so many government officials feared throughout the 20th century. This fear was especially prevalent during World War II when the American government found itself forced to ally itself with Stalin’s Soviet Union in order to act as the “arsenal for democracy” (Q). Not surprisingly, many Americans considered this the equivalent of the U.S making a deal with the devil; other the other hand, the fact that a few, namely President Roosevelt, trusted Stalin despite his communist ideals, did shock a great many Americans including President Roosevelt’s own Vice President and eventual successor, Harry Truman. Confident and charming Roosevelt met a man with his back against the wall that was more than willing to go down fighting, and as a result felt Stalin’s intentions were true; Truman, however, was worried he wouldn’t fill his predecessor’s shoes and came up against a confident and successful military strategist who felt he was entitled to a few concessions within his alliance, and was therefore distrustful of Stalin. In the end it seems clear that the difference in the m...
... middle of paper ...
...rect and strong” while brushing away “the diversionary attempts by the prime minister”, and was only gaining confidence by the time Truman met Stalin for the first time on July 17,1945 (683,843).
To say the least Truman lacked the political background and careless confidence possessed by his predecessor, Roosevelt. Unlike Stalin, he felt anything but secure in his new position, and even wrote to his wife how scared he was when meeting Stalin for the first time (842). Truman took delight in the fact that Stalin was “al little bit of a squirt”, grasping at anything to ease his unsure, edgy feeling (842-843). If anything, Truman had built Stalin up in his mind as a legendary strategist, who could even fool Roosevelt into giving the Soviet Union powerful concessions and had therefore made up his mind to be wary of Stalin and his intentions for the Soviet Union.
Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1922-1953, when he died. He was responsible for one of the most notable and devastating genocides, the Great Purge. His vicious reign took the lives of around 20-60 million people by his rigid and cruel treatment. Through his exploitation of the lower class and his manipulative abuse of power, Stalin created one of the worst examples of leadership in history. It takes an interesting character to be able to execute the cruelties displayed in his
Joseph Stalin was a very powerful and murderous dictator (Joseph 1). He was the second leader of the Soviet Union (Stalin 1). Joseph Stalin’s real name was losif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili was born on December 18, 1879 in Gori, Georgia (1). Was educated at the Tiflis Theological Seminary (Kreis 1). Was born of illiterate peasant parents, his harsh spirit have been blamed on undeserved and severe beatings by his father, inspiring vengeful feelings toward anyone in a position to wield power over
Joseph Stalin came to power in 1924 after the death of Lenin even though Lenin himself had discouraged him as his successor. Stalin’s regime was latent with economic stagnation, political repression, human rights violations, and competing nationalities. Regardless of these various problems Stalin was able to sustain the Soviet Union and develop it into a dominant world power. His ability to maintain power and stability was a result of the promotion of social, economic, cultural, and political systems
that the government does. Joseph Stalin Comes to Power Joseph Stalin was born on December 18th 1878 in of Gori, Georgia. As a child he had many health issues. This included smallpox and two adjoined toes. Joseph Stalin later became involved with the Bolsheviks party and later became the leader of the USSR or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Stalin ... ... middle of paper ... ...e talks about the independence for the motherland. So back to the main idea, yes Stalin was a very effective leader
Joseph Stalin, whose real name is Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, was born on December 21, 1879 in the small town of Gori, Georgia. His family was poor and he was the only child of four to survive. His father was a shoemaker. He was a heavy drinker and died from wounds in a brawl when Stalin was 11 years old. His mother was a pious and hardworking woman. She wanted her son to have a good life so she entered him into priesthood. He attended elementary school run by the Orthodox Church and went
Joseph Stalin is a polarizing figure. Decades after his death his legacy still continues to create debate about his tumultuous years as the leader of the Soviet Union. This is evident throughout the four documents while some praise Stalin as impeccable others criticize his policies and lack of political, economic, and social progress during his regime. Even though Stalin was behind various violations of human rights he was able to maintain the Soviet Union during a time of turmoil both domestically
the previous century that fits the criteria is Joseph Stalin. Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union was a tyrant society; and Stalin forced his political policies among his own. Joseph Stalin was the tyrant leader of the Soviet Union from the 1920’s until his death in 1953. “It was no secret that Stalin had been responsible for the deaths of millions of his own citizens: peasants deported or starved to death during the forced collectivisation of Soviet agriculture; party and state officials purged during
One of the most powerful and murderous dictators in history, Joseph Stalin was the supreme ruler of the Soviet Union for a quarter of a century (www.bbc.co.uk). Joseph Stalin had a major impact on the Soviet Union and the rest of the world. He changed the world by making the Soviet Union a powerful, modern nation, and also the largest state on Earth through his policies and ideas. He also led the killing of millions of people including commoners who spoke out against him (McKenna 94). He also had
1721, under the rule of Peter the Great, when it was declared an Empire. Peter the Great ruled and passed on his rule to his daughter, Elizabeth. Joseph Stalin was born on December 18, 1878 in Gorgi, Georgia. Joseph Stalin’s birth name was Ioseb Besarionis Dze Jughashvili. He was the son his mother, Ketevan Geladze, and his father, Besarion Jughashvili. Joseph Stalin’s father was a cobbler and then became an alcoholic which turned him abusive to his family and caused him to fail on the business standpoint
According to statistics, Joseph Stalin was far more heinous. Joseph Stalin is considered one of the most controversial leaders in world history. Although the Soviet Union was transformed into a modern superpower under his rule, the ethics used are questionable. The 5 year plan came to be as an outline for Russia’s development. In addition, Stalin’s glorification came as a necessity to motivate people. Also, in order to maintain his control, Stalin exterminated his opposition. Stalin aimed to create a perfect
Joseph Stalin’s official reign of terror ended with his death in 1953, but the effects of his autocratic rule continued for many years to follow. His lasting hold on the people of the former Soviet Union still lingers in a few brainwashed minds. In the article "Stalin’s Afterlife" and the movie "Russia’s War - Blood Upon the Snow", Stalin is portrayed as the monster really was and should be remembered as. 	It said in "Stalin’s Afterlife" that "Stalin’s policies
Son of a poverty-stricken shoemaker, raised in a backward province, Joseph Stalin had only a minimum of education. However, he had a burning faith in the destiny of social revolution and an iron determination to play a prominent role in it. His rise to power was bloody and bold, yet under his leadership, in an unexplainable twenty-nine years, Russia because a highly industrialized nation. Stalin was a despotic ruler who more than any other individual molded the features that characterized the Soviet
his name in Iosif Vissarionovich Stalin, but the world knows him as Joseph Stalin. During Stalin’s regime, no one was allowed to pronounce Stalin’s original name. The action was considered disrespectful to the supreme leader, and a direct provocation to the nation. The October revolution was the baptism of one of the most ruthless leader of contemporary world history. Stalin was a real Bolshevik man, deeply committed to the cause and truly loyal to Lenin. Stalin was a Georgian man with the determination
Joseph Stalin’s Early Years Joseph Stalin’s full name is Josef Vissarionovich Djugashvili He was born on December 18, 1878, in Gori, Georgia, which was a small part of the Russian empire. When he grew up he chose the name Stalin, which meant “man of steel” in Russian. Stalin was brought up in a poor family and was an only child. When he was little, Stalin caught smallpox, which game him facial scars that he had for life. He got a scholarship to join a university in the city of Tblisi. When he was
8Celtics 22 February 2014 JOSEPH STALIN Joseph Stalin was a man who many people had mixed feelings for. Some say he was a dictator and a tyrant, but others say that as a ruler, he shaped Russia and pushed it in the right direction. Both sides are correct, and there are many examples to back them up. Stalin did accomplish benefiting Russia‘s image, but he was a man who killed many. Stalin was born as Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili (later became Joseph Stalin) on December 18, 1879 and his parents