Stalin became a Bolshevik in 1903. He became close to Lenin. After Lenin's death, Stalin eliminated all opposition. By 1927, Stalin had become the sole leader of the Soviet Union. His policies of forced collectivization of farmers resulted in the deaths of millions. Millions more were killed in his purges of the Communist party and the military.
Stalin stunned the world when he entered into a non-agression pact with Hitler in 1939, dividing Eastern Europe. In 1941 Hitler attacked the Soviet Union and, despite the rapid advance of German forces, Stalin was able to rally his people to the defense of Russia. Stalin led the Soviets to victory over the Germans, but his policies in Eastern Europe led to the Cold War.
