Episode 1235
From a poverty-stricken childhood in Georgia to the absolute ruler of a global superpower, this episode examines the life of Joseph Stalin. Born Ioseb Jughashvili, the man who would later adopt the pseudonym meaning "Man of Steel" began his career not as a statesman, but as a seminary student turned revolutionary bank robber.
We explore how Stalin outmaneuvered rivals like Leon Trotsky to succeed Vladimir Lenin, consolidating power to become the Soviet Union's unchallenged dictator by the 1930s. We discuss his brutal transformation of the USSR through Five-Year Plans and forced collectivization—policies that industrialized the nation but led to the starving of millions, including during the Holodomor in Ukraine.
The episode also covers the "Great Purge," where Stalin executed hundreds of thousands of political opponents to secure his regime, and his pivotal role in World War II, where he led the Red Army to victory over Nazi Germany. Finally, we look at his death in 1953 and his complex, blood-soaked legacy as both a modernizer and a mass murderer.
Published on 2 days, 13 hours ago
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