Editing Joseph Stalin (section)

==Early life==
{{Main|Early life of Joseph Stalin}}

=== Early life ===
[[File:Stalin 1893-1.1.2 detail.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.8|Stalin ("I. Dzhugashvili") in an 1893 class photo]]
Stalin was born on {{OldStyleDate|18 December|1878|6 December}}{{efn|According to church records, Stalin was born on {{OldStyleDate|18 December|1878|6 December}}. This birth date is maintained in all surviving pre-Revolution documents, and as late as 1921, Stalin himself listed his birthday as 18 December 1878. After coming to power, Stalin gave his birth date as {{OldStyleDate|21 December|1879|9 December}}. This became the day his birthday was celebrated in the Soviet Union.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=23}}}} in [[Gori, Georgia|Gori]], [[Georgia within the Russian Empire|Georgia]],{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=2|2a1=Khlevniuk|2y=2015|2p=11}} then part of the [[Tiflis Governorate]] of the [[Russian Empire]].{{sfn|Service|2004|p=15}}{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=14|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=23}} An ethnic [[Georgians|Georgian]], his birth name was Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili ([[Russified]] as Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili).{{efn|name="birth_name"}} His parents were [[Besarion Jughashvili]] and [[Keke Geladze|Ekaterine Geladze]];{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1pp=1–2|2a1=Volkogonov|2y=1991|2p=5|3a1=Service|3y=2004|3p=14|4a1=Montefiore|4y=2007|4p=19|5a1=Khlevniuk|5y=2015|5p=11|6a1=Deutscher|6y=1966|6p=26}} Stalin was their third child and the only one to survive past infancy.{{sfnm|1a1=Volkogonov|1y=1991|1p=5|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=16|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=22|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=17|5a1=Khlevniuk|5y=2015|5p=11}} After Besarion's shoemaking workshop went into decline, the family fell into poverty, and he became an alcoholic who beat his wife and son.{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=17|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=25|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=20|4a1=Khlevniuk|4y=2015|4p=12}}{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=10|2a1=Volkogonov|2y=1991|2p=5|3a1=Service|3y=2004|3p=17|4a1=Montefiore|4y=2007|4p=29|5a1=Kotkin|5y=2014|5p=24|6a1=Khlevniuk|6y=2015|6p=12}} Ekaterine and her son left the home by 1883, moving through nine different rented rooms.{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1pp=30–31|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=20}} In 1888, Stalin enrolled at the Gori Church School{{sfn|Dović|Helgason|2019|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=nimVDwAAQBAJ&dq=gori+church+school+orthodox&pg=RA1-PA56 256]}}{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=11|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=20|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3pp=32–34|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=21}} where he excelled.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=12|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=30|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=44|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=26}} He faced health problems: an 1884 [[smallpox]] infection left him with facial scars,{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=12|2a1=Volkogonov|2y=1991|2p=5|3a1=Service|3y=2004|3p=19|4a1=Montefiore|4y=2007|4p=31|5a1=Kotkin|5y=2014|5p=20}} and at age 12 he was seriously injured when he was struck by a [[Phaeton (carriage)|phaeton]], causing a lifelong disability in his left arm.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=12|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=25|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3pp=35, 46|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4pp=20–21}}

In 1894, Stalin enrolled as a trainee [[Russian Orthodox]] priest at the [[Tbilisi Theological Seminary|Tiflis Theological Seminary]], enabled by a scholarship.{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=28|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2pp=51–53|3a1=Khlevniuk|3y=2015|3p=15}} He initially achieved high grades,{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=19|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=36|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=56|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=32|5a1=Khlevniuk|5y=2015|5p=16}} but lost interest in his studies.{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1p=69|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=32|3a1=Khlevniuk|3y=2015|3p=18}}{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=19|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=69|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3pp=36–37|4a1=Khlevniuk|4y=2015|4p=19}} Stalin became influenced by [[Nikolay Chernyshevsky]]'s pro-revolutionary novel ''[[What Is To Be Done? (novel)|What Is To Be Done?]]'',{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=63}} and [[Alexander Kazbegi]]'s ''[[The Patricide]]'', with Stalin adopting the nickname "Koba" from its bandit protagonist.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=14|2a1=Volkogonov|2y=1991|2p=5|3a1=Service|3y=2004|3pp=27–28|4a1=Montefiore|4y=2007|4p=63|5a1=Kotkin|5y=2014|5pp=23–24|6a1=Khlevniuk|6y=2015|6p=17}} After reading ''[[Das Kapital]]'', Stalin focused on [[Karl Marx]]'s philosophy of [[Marxism]],{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=69}} which was on the rise as a variety of [[socialism]] opposed to the [[Tsarist autocracy|Tsarist authorities]].{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=40|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=43}} He began attending secret workers' meetings,{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=66}} and left the seminary in April 1899.{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=41|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=71}}

=== 1899–1905: Russian Social Democratic Labour Party ===
[[File:Stalin 1902.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|left|Police photo of Stalin, 1902]]
During October 1899, he worked as a meteorologist at the Tiflis observatory.{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=54|2a1=Conquest|2y=1991|2p=27|3a1=Service|3y=2004|3pp=43–44|4a1=Montefiore|4y=2007|4p=76|5a1=Kotkin|5y=2014|5pp=47–48}} He attracted a group of socialist supporters,{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=79}} and co-organised a secret workers' meeting{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=54|2a1=Conquest|2y=1991|2p=27|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=78}} where he convinced many to strike on [[May Day]] 1900.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=78}} The empire's secret police, the [[Okhrana]], became aware of Stalin's activities and attempted to arrest him in March 1901, but he went into hiding{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=27|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=45|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3pp=81–82|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=49}} during which he lived off donations from friends.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=82}} He helped plan a demonstration in [[Tiflis]] on May Day 1901 at which 3,000 marchers clashed with the authorities.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=28|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=82|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=50}} Stalin was elected to the Tiflis Committee of the [[Russian Social Democratic Labour Party]] (RSDLP) –a Marxist party founded in 1898– in November 1901.{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=63|2a1=Rieber|2y=2005|2pp=37–38|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3pp=87–88}}

That month, he travelled to [[Batumi]].{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=29|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=52|3a1=Rieber|3y=2005|3p=39|4a1=Montefiore|4y=2007|4p=101|5a1=Kotkin|5y=2014|5p=51}} His militant rhetoric proved divisive among the city's Marxists, some of whom suspected that he was an ''[[agent provocateur]]''.{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1pp=91, 95|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=53}} Stalin began working at the [[Rothschild family|Rothschild]] refinery storehouse, where he co-organised two workers' strikes.{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1pp=90–93|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=51|3a1=Khlevniuk|3y=2015|3pp=22–23}} After the strike leaders were arrested, he co-organised a mass demonstration which led to the storming of the prison.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=29|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=49|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3pp=94–95|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=52|5a1=Khlevniuk|5y=2015|5p=23}} Stalin was arrested in April 1902{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=29|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=49|3a1=Rieber|3y=2005|3p=42|4a1=Montefiore|4y=2007|4p=98|5a1=Kotkin|5y=2014|5p=52}} and sentenced to three years exile in [[Siberia]], arriving in [[Novaya Uda, Irkutsk Oblast|Novaya Uda]] in November 1903.{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=68|2a1=Conquest|2y=1991|2p=29|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=107|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=53|5a1=Khlevniuk|5y=2015|5p=23}} After one failed attempt, Stalin escaped from his exile in January 1904 and travelled to Tiflis,{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=52|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2pp=115–116|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=53}} where he co-edited the Marxist newspaper ''[[Proletariatis Brdzola]]'' ("Proletarian Struggle") with [[Filipp Makharadze]].{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=57|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=123}} During his exile, the RSDLP had become divided between [[Vladimir Lenin]]'s "[[Bolsheviks|Bolshevik]]" faction and [[Julius Martov]]'s "[[Mensheviks]]".{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1pp=33–34|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=53|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=113|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4pp=78–79|5a1=Khlevniuk|5y=2015|5p=24}} Stalin, who detested many Mensheviks in Georgia, aligned himself with the Bolsheviks.{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=76|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=59|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=80|4a1=Khlevniuk|4y=2015|4p=24}}

=== 1905–1912: Revolution of 1905 and aftermath ===
[[File:Lenin at Tampere.JPG|thumb|Stalin first met [[Vladimir Lenin]] at [[Tampere conference of 1905|a 1905 conference in Tampere, Finland]].]]
In January 1905, government troops [[Bloody Sunday (1905)|massacred protesters]] in [[Saint Petersburg]] spreading across the Empire in the [[Revolution of 1905]].{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=80|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=56|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=126}} Stalin was in [[Baku]] in February when [[Armenian–Tatar massacres of 1905–1906|ethnic violence]] broke out between Armenians and Azeris,{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=58|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2pp=128–129}} and he formed Bolshevik "battle squads" which he used to keep the city's warring ethnic factions apart.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=129}} His armed squads attacked local police and troops,{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=132}} raided arsenals,{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=143}} and raised funds via [[protection racket]]s.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|pp=132–133}}{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=87|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2pp=135, 144}} In November 1905, the Georgian Bolsheviks elected Stalin as one of their delegates to a [[Tampere conference of 1905|Bolshevik conference in Tampere, Finland]],{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1pp=89–90|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=60|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=145}} where he met Lenin.{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=90|2a1=Conquest|2y=1991|2p=37|3a1=Service|3y=2004|3p=60|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=81}} Although Stalin held Lenin in deep respect, he vocally disagreed with his view that the Bolsheviks should field candidates for the [[1906 Russian legislative election|1906 election]] to the [[State Duma (Russian Empire)|State Duma]]; Stalin viewed parliamentary process as a waste of time.{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=92|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=147|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=105}} In April 1906, he attended the [[4th Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party|RSDLP's Fourth Congress]] in [[Stockholm]], where the party—then led by a Menshevik majority—agreed that it would not raise funds using armed robbery.{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=96|2a1=Conquest|2y=1991|2p=40|3a1=Service|3y=2004|3p=62|4a1=Khlevniuk|4y=2015|4p=26}} Lenin and Stalin disagreed with this,{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=96|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=62|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=113}} and privately discussed continuing the robberies for the Bolshevik cause.{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1p=168|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=113}}[[File:Stalin's Mug Shot.jpg|thumb|left|[[Mug shot|Mugshot]] of Stalin made in 1911]]Stalin married [[Kato Svanidze]] in July 1906,{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=64|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=159|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=105|4a1=Semeraro|4y=2017|4p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=bAXMDwAAQBAJ&dq=Kato+Svanidze+stalin+orthodox+church+1906&pg=PT87 ??]}} and in March 1907 she gave birth to their son [[Yakov Dzhugashvili|Yakov]].{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=64|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=167|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=106|4a1=Khlevniuk|4y=2015|4p=25}} Stalin, who by now had established himself as "Georgia's leading Bolshevik",{{sfn|Service|2004|p=65}} organised the June 1907 [[1907 Tiflis bank robbery|robbery of a bank stagecoach in Tiflis]] to fund the Bolsheviks. His operatives ambushed the convoy in [[Freedom Square, Tbilisi|Erivansky Square]] with guns and homemade bombs; around 40 people were killed.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1pp=41–42|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=75|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=113}} Stalin settled in Baku with his wife and son,{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=100|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=180|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=114}} where Mensheviks confronted him about the robbery and voted to expel him from the RSDLP, but he ignored them.{{sfnm|1a1=Deutscher|1y=1966|1p=100|2a1=Conquest|2y=1991|2pp=43–44|3a1=Service|3y=2004|3p=76|4a1=Montefiore|4y=2007|4p=184}} Stalin secured Bolshevik domination of Baku's RSDLP branch{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=190}} and edited two Bolshevik newspapers.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=186}} In November 1907, his wife died of [[typhus]],{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1p=191|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=115}} and he left his son with her family in Tiflis.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=44|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=71|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=193|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=116}} In Baku he reassembled his gang,{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=194}} which attacked [[Black Hundreds]] and raised money through racketeering, counterfeiting, robberies{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=74|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=196|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=115}} and kidnapping the children of wealthy figures for ransom.{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1pp=197–198|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=115}}

In March 1908, Stalin was arrested and imprisoned in [[Baku]].{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=44|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=68|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=203|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=116}} He led the imprisoned Bolsheviks, organised discussion groups, and ordered the killing of suspected informants.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=45|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2pp=203–204}} He was sentenced to two years of exile in [[Solvychegodsk]] in northern Russia, arriving there in February 1909.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=45|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=68|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3pp=206, 208|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=116}} In June, Stalin escaped to Saint Petersburg,{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=46|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=212|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=117}} but was arrested again in March 1910 and sent back to Solvychegodsk.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=46|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2pp=222, 226|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=121}} In June 1911, Stalin was given permission to move to [[Vologda]] where he stayed for two months.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=47|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=80|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3pp=231, 234|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=121}} He then escaped to Saint Petersburg,{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1p=236|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=121}} where he was arrested again in September 1911 and sentenced to a further three years of exile in Vologda.{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1p=237|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2pp=121–22}}

=== 1912–1917: Rise to the Central Committee and ''Pravda'' ===
[[File:First Issue of PRAVDA.jpg|thumb|right|First issue of ''[[Pravda]]'', of which Stalin served as an early editor]]

In January 1912, the first [[Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Bolshevik Central Committee]] was elected at the [[Prague Conference]].{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=83|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2pp=122–123}} Lenin and [[Grigory Zinoviev]] decided to co-opt Stalin to the committee, which Stalin (while still in exile in Vologda) agreed to.{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=83|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2pp=122–123}}{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=48|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=83|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=240|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4pp=122–123}} Lenin believed that Stalin, as a Georgian, would help secure support from the empire's minority ethnicities.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=240}} In February 1912, Stalin again escaped to Saint Petersburg,{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=241}} where he was tasked with converting the Bolshevik weekly newspaper, ''Zvezda'' ("Star") into a daily, ''[[Pravda]]'' ("Truth").{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=84|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=243}} The new newspaper was launched in April 1912 and Stalin's role as editor was kept secret.{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=84|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=247}} In May 1912, he was again arrested and sentenced to three years of exile in Siberia.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=51|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=248}} In July, he arrived in [[Narym]],{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1p=249|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=133}} where he shared a room with fellow Bolshevik [[Yakov Sverdlov]].{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=86|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=250|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=154}} After two months, they escaped to Saint Petersburg,{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=51|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2pp=86–87|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3pp=250–251}} where Stalin continued work on ''Pravda''.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=255}}

[[File:Stalin in exile 1915.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.8|Stalin in 1915]]

After the [[1912 Russian legislative election|October 1912 Duma elections]], Stalin wrote articles calling for reconciliation between the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks; Lenin criticised him{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=256}} and he relented.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=263}} In January 1913, Stalin travelled to [[Vienna]],{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=54|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=89|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=263}} where he researched the "national question" of how the Bolsheviks should deal with the Empire's national and ethnic minorities.{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=89|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2pp=264–265}} His article "[[Marxism and the National Question]]"{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=53|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=85|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=266|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=133}} was first published in the March, April, and May 1913 issues of the Bolshevik journal ''[[Prosveshcheniye]]''{{sfn|Kotkin|2014|p=133}} under the pseudonym "K. Stalin". The alias, which he had used since 1912, is derived from the Russian for steel (''stal''), and has been translated as "Man of Steel".{{sfnm|1a1=Himmer|1y=1986|1p=269|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=85}} In February 1913, Stalin was again arrested in Saint Petersburg{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1pp=268–270|2a1=Khlevniuk|2y=2015|2p=28}} and sentenced to four years of exile in [[Turukhansk]] in Siberia, where he arrived in August.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=54|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2pp=102–103|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3pp=270, 273|4a1=Khlevniuk|4y=2015|4p=29}} Still concerned over a potential escape, the authorities moved him to [[Kureika (village)|Kureika]] in March 1914.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=55|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2pp=105–106|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3pp=277–278|4a1=Khlevniuk|4y=2015|4p=29}}

=== 1917: Russian Revolution ===
While Stalin was in exile, Russia entered the [[First World War]], and in October 1916 he and other exiled Bolsheviks were [[Conscription in the Russian Empire|conscripted into the Russian Army]].{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=57|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2pp=113–114|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=300|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=155}} They arrived in [[Krasnoyarsk]] in February 1917,{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=57|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2pp=301–302|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=155}} where a medical examiner ruled Stalin unfit for service due to his crippled arm.{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=114|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=302|3a1=Kotkin|3y=2014|3p=155}} Stalin was required to serve four more months of his exile and successfully requested to serve it in [[Achinsk]].{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=114|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=302}} Stalin was in the city when the [[February Revolution]] took place; the Tsar abdicated and the Empire became a ''de facto'' republic.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1pp=57–58|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2pp=116–117|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3pp=302–303|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=178|5a1=Khlevniuk|5y=2015|5p=42}} In a celebratory mood, Stalin travelled by train to Petrograd (as Saint Petersburg had been renamed) in March.{{sfnm|1a1=Volkogonov|1y=1991|1pp=15, 19|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=117|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=304|4a1=Kotkin|4y=2014|4p=173}} He assumed control of ''Pravda'' alongside [[Lev Kamenev]],{{sfnm|1a1=Volkogonov|1y=1991|1p=19|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=120|3a1=Montefiore|3y=2007|3p=310}} and was appointed as a Bolshevik delegate to the executive committee of the [[Petrograd Soviet]], an influential workers' council.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1pp=59–60|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=310}}

{{Quote box
| quote = The existing government of landlords and capitalists must be replaced by a new government, a government of workers and peasants.<br />The existing pseudo-government which was not elected by the people and which is not accountable to the people must be replaced by a government recognised by the people, elected by representatives of the workers, soldiers and peasants and held accountable to their representatives.
| source = Stalin's editorial in ''Pravda'', October 1917{{sfn|Service|2004|p=144}}
| width = 25em
}}

Stalin helped organise the [[July Days]] uprising, an armed display of strength by supporters of the Bolsheviks.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=65|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2pp=319–320}} After the demonstration was suppressed, the Provisional Government initiated a crackdown on the party, raiding ''Pravda''.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|p=32}} Stalin smuggled Lenin out of the paper's office and took charge of his safety, moving him between Petrograd safe houses before smuggling him to nearby [[Razliv]].{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1pp=322–324|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=203|3a1=Khlevniuk|3y=2015|3pp=48–49}} In Lenin's absence, Stalin continued editing ''Pravda'' and served as acting leader of the Bolsheviks, overseeing the party's [[6th Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (Bolsheviks)|Sixth Congress]].{{sfnm|1a1=Montefiore|1y=2007|1p=326|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=204}} Lenin began calling for the Bolsheviks to seize power by toppling the Provisional Government, a plan which was supported by Stalin and fellow senior Bolshevik [[Leon Trotsky]], but opposed by Kamenev, Zinoviev, and other members.{{sfnm|1a1=Conquest|1y=1991|1p=68|2a1=Service|2y=2004|2p=138|4a1=Montefiore|4y=2007|4pp=331–332|5a1=Kotkin|5y=2014|5p=214|6a1=Khlevniuk|6y=2015|6p=50}}

On 24 October, police raided the Bolshevik newspaper offices, smashing machinery and presses; Stalin salvaged some of the equipment.{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=144|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2pp=337–338}} In the early hours of 25 October, Stalin joined Lenin in a Central Committee meeting in Petrograd's [[Smolny Institute]], from where the Bolshevik coup—the [[October Revolution]]—was directed.{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1p=145|2a1=Montefiore|2y=2007|2p=341}} Bolshevik militia seized Petrograd's power station, main post office, state bank, telephone exchange, and several bridges.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|pp=341–342}} A Bolshevik-controlled ship, the ''[[Russian cruiser Aurora|Aurora]]'', opened fire on the [[Winter Palace]]; the Provisional Government's assembled delegates surrendered and were arrested.{{sfn|Montefiore|2007|pp=344–346}} Stalin, who had been tasked with briefing the Bolshevik delegates of the [[All-Russian Congress of Soviets#Second Congress|Second Congress of Soviets]] about the situation, had not played a publicly visible role.{{sfn|Service|2004|pp=145, 147}} Trotsky and other later opponents used this as evidence his role had been insignificant, although historians reject this,{{sfnm|1a1=Service|1y=2004|1pp=144–146|2a1=Kotkin|2y=2014|2p=224|3a1=Khlevniuk|3y=2015|3p=52}} citing his role as a member of the Central Committee and as an editor of ''Pravda''.{{sfn|Khlevniuk|2015|p=53}}