Following Lenin's death, who took control of the Soviet Union? A. Trotsky B. Stalin C. Gorbachev D. Milosevic

B. Stalin

After Vladimir Lenin's death in 1924, Joseph Stalin took control of the Soviet Union. Stalin was one of Lenin's revolutionary comrades and served in various positions within the Communist Party. After Lenin's death, Stalin maneuvered to consolidate his power by sidelining his rivals, including Leon Trotsky, through political intrigue, alliances, and eventually purges.

Extra: The struggle for control of the Soviet Union after Lenin's death was a complex and drawn-out process. While Lenin was still alive, he became increasingly concerned about Stalin's rising power and even suggested that Stalin should be removed from the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party. However, after Lenin's death, Stalin was able to outmaneuver his political opponents, including Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev, and Bukharin.

Stalin's consolidation of power led to significant changes in Soviet policies and the nature of its government. Under Stalin, the Soviet Union became more authoritarian and totalitarian, with strong central control over all aspects of life. He implemented policies like collectivization of agriculture and the Five-Year Plans to industrialize the country rapidly. These policies had both positive and negative consequences, including economic growth on one hand and famine and repression on the other.

By the late 1930s, Stalin had complete control and launched the Great Purge, during which he eliminated many of those he saw as threats to his power, including former allies and party members, as well as numerous military leaders and ordinary citizens. This period is marked by widespread fear, arbitrary arrests, show trials, and executions. Under Stalin's leadership, the Soviet Union played a major role in the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II but also became a superpower engaged in a Cold War with the Western capitalist states led by the United States.