4. Josef Stalin

Josef Stalin succeeded Lenin to become the leader of the Soviet Union in 1924. He did not waste time in launching programs that would turn Russia into one of the most progressive and powerful nations in the world. However, his move was made at the expense of countless Russian lives. His new economic program led to the starvation of 10 million of his own people. When people including Russia’s intellectuals and top-ranking activists started to show their disapproval of Stalin’s leadership, the dictator launched the “Great Purge” which killed everyone who stood in his way.

5. Vladimir Lenin

Vladimir Lenin was the founder of the Russian Communist Party and rallied his supporters to start the Bolshevik revolution in 1917. Despite several assassination attempts, he continued to lead the communist movement with vigor until he was placed as the Soviet Union’s leader in 1922.