Stalin transformed the Soviet Union from a backward country into a strong modern state. But the price of this was misery for the soviet people. How accurate was this view of Stalin's rule between 1928 and 1941"

This is an accurate statement about Stalin's rule. Stalin came into power with the help of the Bolsheviks. After Lenin died he built up his image so that he could overcome his greatest rival Trotsky. He organised anti-Trotsky propaganda and made sure he had all the attention. He banished many Trotsky supporters and made sure that Trotsky had no power at all.

When Stalin came to power in late 1924 he planned how he would make Russia into a powerful country and make his position in power permanent. Although Russia was recovering from war, its heavy industries were not sustaining high enough levels of production. This meant it was way behind other industrialised countries...