The totalitarian state in Soviet Union under Stalin's leadership transformed the nation through strict control, economic reforms, and social changes, marked by both industrial achievements and human suffering.
- The government maintained power through propaganda, terror, and the NKVD secret police
- Impact of Joseph Stalin's Five Year Plans revolutionized the economy through rapid industrialization and collectivization
- Religious suppression under Stalin's regime targeted all faiths through state atheism
- Military development was prioritized but weakened by army purges
- Collectivization led to widespread famine and millions of deaths, particularly in Ukraine