The main architect of the Soviet Union’s Five-Year Plans was Joseph Stalin. Introduced in 1928, the Five-Year Plans were ambitious economic goals intended to transform the Soviet Union from a predominantly agrarian society into an industrial powerhouse. Stalin aimed to modernize the economy through rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture, often at great human cost. The First Five-Year Plan focused on heavy industry, while later plans addressed various sectors, including consumer goods. Although these policies led to significant industrial growth, they were also marked by widespread famine, forced labor, and repression, demonstrating the harsh realities of Stalin's rule.