Prior to the 1930's, Russia was a land racked by famine and turmoil. Warfare and their lack of Industrialization kept the country poor. With the defeat of the Russian army in the Russo-Japanese war, and the Crimean war, and the loss of so many lives during World War I, the Russian people, especially the peasantry, were left looking for an answer. Joseph Vissarionovich Djugashvili or Joseph Stalin's main goal for Russia was to industrialize and create a more powerful, confident nation therefore creating a nationalistic nation. Programs such as his 5-year plan provided Russia with the economic stability it needed. Politically, Stalin consolidated his power effectively, purging those he felt were counter revolutionary. The actions and policies of Joseph Stalin greatly benefited the country of Russia. .
Before the great Joseph Stalin, V.I. Lenin was in power and made some terrible decisions such as; dropping out of World War I, which therefore made the allied countries mad at Russia. As a result of their actions they were left out of the League of Nations. Then Lenin went on to sign the Treaty Of Brest-Litovsk, which made the people of Russia mad because it had led to Russia giving land and monies to Germany while Russia was already in such a depressed state. With so many policies and decisions that hurt Russia made by Lenin, even before his death, the people of Russia were looking for new leadership. The citizens knew that even though Lenin said he organized his government on democratic principles that in reality the Communist party held all the power.
Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin were among Lenin's revolutionary/ supporters. They both helped create the Soviet state. After Lenin died because of a stroke at age 54, these/ two men (Trotsky and Stalin) became bitter rivals for control of the Communist Party. The outcome of this/ struggle would determine the future course of the Soviet Union.