Joseph Stalin

Joseph Stalin (1878–1953) – Dictator of the Soviet Union before, during, and after the Second World War

• Actions:
  • Led the siege of Lviv after the First World War, an operation that may have affected the Soviet advance on Warsaw.
  • Ended the Ukrainization policy and reinstated Russification.
  • His policies and actions caused the Holodomor. (Interwar and Holodomor)
  • Guided the Soviet Union to victory in the Second World War.
  • Maintained continuous repression throughout his rule.
• Significance:
  • Aggressively targeted Ukrainian identity, which proved resilient despite severe repression.
• Successor and Legacy:
  • Succeeded by Nikita Khrushchev.

This is part of the #Significantpersons series.