The Stalinist era refers to the period of Soviet history when Joseph Stalin was in power, roughly from the late 1920s until his death in 1953. During this time, the Soviet Union underwent rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture, which aimed to transform the economy. However, these policies often led to widespread famine and suffering, particularly in regions like Ukraine, where millions died in the Holodomor. Stalin's rule was also marked by intense political repression, including the Great Purge, where many perceived enemies of the state were executed or sent to labor camps known as Gulags. This era created a climate of fear, as citizens were constantly monitored and dissent was brutally suppressed.