Reign of Stalin

Death of Lenin

Jan 21, 1924

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin dies. After exiling his chief rival, Trotsky, Stalin rises to power, despite Lenin's wish that Stalin not succeed him.

Adoption of first Five-Year Plan

Oct 7, 1928

This instigates the years of forced collectivization; millions lose their property.

Kirov murdered

Dec 1, 1934

Murder of Sergei Mironovich Kirov, Communist party boss in Leningrad. This launches a massive investigation and purge of the Communist Party, replete with show trials and mysterious deaths.

Great Purge

Period: Oct 7, 1937 to Oct 7, 1938

Some 800,000 people are arrested, imprisoned, and/or executed.

Stalin-Ribbentrop Pact

Aug 23, 1939

Stalin signs a non-agression pact with Germany, dividing most of Europe into spheres of influence for the USSR and Germany. Hitler breaks this pact in 1941.

End of World War II

Apr 30, 1945

Hitler commits suicide; war is effectively over.

Death of Stalin

Mar 5, 1953

Stalin dies.