Josef Stalin was a Soviet leader who ruled from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953. He was born in Georgia in 1878 and became a key figure in the Bolshevik Party during the Russian Revolution of 1917. Stalin implemented policies that transformed the Soviet Union into a major world power, including rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture. Stalin's leadership was marked by widespread repression, including purges and political executions, which led to millions of deaths. His regime played a significant role in World War II, particularly in the defeat of Nazi Germany. Despite his controversial legacy, Stalin remains a pivotal figure in 20th-century history.