Stalin the Master Puppeteer

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Stalin’s Purges on the Red army lead to the exterminations of military leaders along with fifth Column party’s resulting in a weak military. Stalin’s paranoia got the best of him and decided to cleanse the Red army so that no general could rise through the ranks and take Stalin’s position. The purge of the Red Army and Military Maritime Fleet removed three of five marshals, 13 of 15 army commanders, eight of nine admirals, 50 of 57 army corps commanders, 154 out of 186 division commanders, 16 of 16 army commissars, and 25 of 28 army corps commissars (Kuromiya). The Red army leaders were executed, imprisoned, or sent to work camps. Stalin also turned to the NKVD and executed the three leaders Genrikh Yagoda, Nikolai Yezhov and Lavrenti Beria (Kuromiya). The purges on the Red Army and fifth column party’s was done due to Stalin’s paranoia, ultimately causing the Red Army to have weak generals that had little experience. Stalin’s paranoia had made him obsess over taking out high-ranking military generals and fifth column party’s, which allowed Stalin to have absolute power over the Soviet Union.

Josef Stalin had the ability through all the chaos to succeed Lenin and become the undeniable ruler of the Soviet Union. Stalin made key connections while he had the position as General Secretary, which allowed him to gain loyal followers that believed in his cause. He was able to take out advisories such us Trotsky out of the running. Once Stalin took the position as leader he mad massive changes that would change the lives of many Russian people. Stalin implemented the idea of industrializing Russia super quickly to surpass the rest of the European country’s economy, military, and government. When Stalin had become paranoid that he will lose power he purged close friends his own army. The aftermath left the military in shambles due to the fact that inexperienced leaders would lead the Soviet Union to war and many Russian citizens dead.

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