2. Joseph Stalin
Soviet Union
Years in Power: 1929-1953
Joseph Stalin became General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1922 and began to consolidate his hold over the Soviet Union following Lenin’s death in 1924. One of his major reforms was collectivization of farms in which farmers had to work under the government. Many were exiled or executed upon refusal, and the resulting famine was so widespread and devastating that millions died because of it. Opponents and potential threats were summarily executed, particularly due to the Great Purge carried out from 1936-38. Stalin was an atheist, and his imposition of atheism in the country and opposition to religion meant that it was dangerous to be associated with any faith. He died in 1953 at the age of 74.
