Hi, my name is Paul Taeza. Today's crash course is on authoritarian leader Stalin.
Who ruled from 1924-1954, Stalin grew up in poverty much like the majority of Russia.
Ruled under the Tsarists autocracy and monarchy that reigned Russia for 300 years. During the Tsarists time the populist group disdained towards the monarchy system.
With the rise of Marxism ideology, which states that working class should have the power, this gave people such as Lenin
and the Bolsheviks a rise of power. In 1903 as a young man, Joseph Stalin became an active member of the Bolshevik party.
As an active member of the Bolsheviks Stalin rose in ranks by being a strong and militant leader.
He robbed banks, distributed propaganda and escaped exiles from Siberia prisons several times.
His leadership caught the attention of Vladimir Lenin.
He was latter appointed as a general secretary along side other leaders.
With the growing division between the working and the ruling class comes along WW1.
WW1 resulted in 3.3 million Russian casualties.
This divided the nation even more, giving Lenin and the Bolsheviks more power and loyal followers
making Bolsheviks even more powerful.
Leading to a coup that resulted from a Tsarists autocracy being overthrown.
After Lenin's death in 1924, caused by a heart attack, Stalin was denounced publicly by Lenin's will.
Stating that he's too "crude and rude" to rule the Soviet Union.
Leon Trotsky being a prominent leader of Russia was a big threat to Stalin's power.
Stalin created the anti-Trotsky alliance with ......, with this alliance they were able to overthrow Trotsky, making Stalin the most powerful leader.
