but he was also one if the few leaders in Soviet or Russian history who directly took action to improve the day to day lives of most Russians.
Remember when Khrushchev took the reins of power and found out that agricultural production had dropped since Stalin came into power, despite some 30 years of technological development?
The USSR under his first two five year plans got running potable water and electricity to the entire nation. That is a larger QoL improvement for most families whose life before Stalin mirrored most of their ancestors for centuries.
This is why he falls into the mixed bag category rather than being seen as an outright monster like Beria was.
The USSR under his first two five year plans got running potable water and electricity to the entire nation
You’re kidding me, right?
Electricity access during Stalin’s reign only marginally increased after the initial successes in the 1920s - which, may I remind you, were plans formulated before Stalin took power, and executed before he had finished purging his enemies, including Trotsky. Fuck, as late as the 1950s, only some 10% of Soviet households had power, and the majority did not have indoor access to running water - that’s why the Khrushchevka, basic as they were, were such a major step forward.
Remember when Khrushchev took the reins of power and found out that agricultural production had dropped since Stalin came into power, despite some 30 years of technological development?
Good times.
The USSR under his first two five year plans got running potable water and electricity to the entire nation. That is a larger QoL improvement for most families whose life before Stalin mirrored most of their ancestors for centuries.
This is why he falls into the mixed bag category rather than being seen as an outright monster like Beria was.
You’re kidding me, right?
Electricity access during Stalin’s reign only marginally increased after the initial successes in the 1920s - which, may I remind you, were plans formulated before Stalin took power, and executed before he had finished purging his enemies, including Trotsky. Fuck, as late as the 1950s, only some 10% of Soviet households had power, and the majority did not have indoor access to running water - that’s why the Khrushchevka, basic as they were, were such a major step forward.