Soviet Leaders

Руководители Советского Союза (Leaders of the Soviet Union)

Lead the Bolshevik Revolution (1917) and became the leader of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) in 1917, and became the leader of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). He remained in power until his death, his body remains in the Red Square.

He ruled from December 30, 1922-January 21, 1924

He was succeeded by Joseph Stalin.

Vladimir Lenin

Born in Georgia under the surname Dzhugashvili, he changed his name in 1912, creating an alias to avoid Tsarist police, project power and strength (his new name was derived from the Russian word for steel), and to be easier to pronounce by Russian speakers.

He initially ruled the USSR with Grigory Zinoviev and Lev Kamenev (part of a troika), in April 1925, he consolidated power and became the dictator of the Soviet Union. In addition, he became the Minister of Defense from July 19, 1941-March 3, 1947, and the head of the State Defense Committee during World War II.

Longest ruling Soviet leader

He ruled from January 21, 1924-March 5, 1953)

He was preceded by Vladimir Lenin and succeeded by Georgy Malekov.

Joseph Stalin

Ruled as part of a troika with Lavrentiy Beria and Vyacheslav Molotov. The troika fell following Beria’s arrest. He found himself in a power struggle with Nikita Khrushchev leading to his removal as Premier of the Soviet Union. Succeeded Stalin in all titles and positions but was forced to relinquish most within a month by the Politburo.

He ruled from March 5, 1953-January 22, 1955

He was preceded by Joseph Stalin and succeeded by Nikita Khrushchev.

Georgy Malenkov

Slowly took power from Malenkov following his removal from the Secretariat in 1953, he officially became head of state in 1955. In 1957, he ended a coup by the “anti-party group” following which, he consolidated power even more by becoming Premier. He was later fired from all posts on October 14, 1964.

He ruled from January 22, 1955-October 14, 1964

He was preceded by Georgy Malenkov and succeeded by Leonid Brezhnev

Nikita Khrushchev

Initially forced to rule in a troika with Alexei Kosygin and Nikolai Podgorny. In the 1970s, he consolidated power to become the regime’s sole leader. In 1977, he officially replaced Podgorny as head of state until his death in 1982.

He ruled from October 14, 1964-November 10, 1982

He was preceded by Nikita Khrushchev and succeeded by Yuri Andropov

Leonid Brezhnev

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Presidium from June 6, 1983-February 9, 1984.

He was preceded by Leonid Brezhnev and succeeded by Konstantin Chernenko

Yuri Andropov

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Presidium. Due to poor health and lack of political support, he ruled in a troika with Andrei Gromyko and Dmitry Ustinov for most of his time in office.

He ruled from February 9, 1984-March 10, 1985

He was preceded by Yuri Andropov and succeeded by Mikhail Gorbachev

Konstantin Chernenko

Served as General Secretary from March 11, 1985 until his resignation on August 24, 1991, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from October 1, 1988-March 15, 1990, and President of the Soviet Union from March 15, 1990-December 25, 1991 (He was deposed on August 19, 1991 and reinstated the next day). The day after his resignation as president, the Soviet Union formally dissolved.

He was the only head of the USSR to be born during its existence.

He ruled from March 10, 1985-December 25, 1991

He was preceded by Konstantin Chernenko

Mikhail Gorbachev