Stalin held on to power in the Soviet Union from 1928-53 in several different ways. Stalin was a strong and determined man who did not let anything deter him from his path . He was the leader of a modern Russia, a new and developing state that was as powerful as her European neighbours.

The most important point is Stalin's purges and show trials. These were important because Stalin could get rid of any enemies and opposition that could start a revolution eg. Kamenev. Even innocent civilians were targeted. The Russians were too scared to talk out against Stalin and view their opinion on his leadership skills. This idea of terror prevented national rebellion. The show trials frightened the Russians as they knew that if they spoke out or performed illegal activity, they would be arrested, tortured until they confessed and then shot or sent to labour camps called...