Who served as the totalitarian dictator of the Soviet Union from 1928 until 1953?

Joseph Stalin served as the totalitarian dictator of the Soviet Union from 1928 until 1953. During his time in power, he implemented policies that transformed the Soviet Union into a major world power, but this came at a high cost, including widespread repression, the Great Purge, and famines caused by forced collectivization. Stalin's reign was marked by strong authoritarian governance, where dissent was not tolerated, and the state exercised control over many aspects of life including the economy, culture, and personal freedoms. His totalitarian regime was characterized by a centralized economy and an emphasis on rapid industrialization, which fundamentally altered the Soviet society and its global position.