Why Did Joseph Stalin Industrialize Russia

Josef Vissarionovich Djugashvili was born on December 18, 1878, in Gori, Georgia, which then became part of the Russian empire. When he grew up, he named himself Stalin, Russian for “man of steel”. Stalin’s family was poor. His father was an alcoholic shoemaker, who was abusive and violent towards his wife and only son, and his mother was an illiterate peasant who wanted her son to become a priest. Stalin became the dictator of the Soviet Union (USSR) after Lenin died, from 1929 to 1953, when he died.

Some countries were well behind others in industrialization, such as Russia. Rapid industrialization was necessary in Russia, and Joseph Stalin tried to change their circumstances, he introduced two five-year plans, which increased Russia’s industrial production, their heavy industry improved, the output of iron, steel, electricity, oil, and coal rapidly increased, opportunities were given to women and they could start working as doctors and scientists etc. Although Stalin did industrialize Russia, he did it forcefully and through terror. Millions of people died from famine, others were sent to camps, which were horrific, he took away the lands and farms that were given to the peasants by Lenin. Anyone who did not 100% support Stalin was considered an enemy, and anyone who was a potential enemy, such as Trotsky, was exiled. Trotsky was a member of the central committee just like Stalin, he was another candidate for Lenin’s replacement, and he was well suited for that position, but Stalin rose to power quicker and gained power by

In reality both countries had their differences, despised and did not trust each other, they both fought for their beliefs but never really went into actual warfare and that is why the term Cold War is used to define their relationship, whereas, the term Hot War is actual warfare and is the result of failed talks between both