what led to the rise of stalin? 1 crisis and conflict: communist russia copyright 2006

WHAT LED TO WHAT LED TO THE RISE OF THE RISE OF

STALIN?STALIN?

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Crisis and Conflict: Communist Russia Copyright 2006

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RISE OF STALIN When Lenin died in January 1924, there was a When Lenin died in January 1924, there was a

struggle to replace him as leader of the Soviet struggle to replace him as leader of the Soviet Union.Union.

Among the candidates were:Among the candidates were: Leon TrotskyLeon Trotsky Lev KamenevLev Kamenev Greg ZinovievGreg Zinoviev Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin

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Trotsky was considered the front-runner. Trotsky was considered the front-runner.

In 1924, no one expected Stalin to become Lenin’s In 1924, no one expected Stalin to become Lenin’s successor. successor.

Yet by 1929, he had managed to outwit all his rivals to Yet by 1929, he had managed to outwit all his rivals to become the leader of the Soviet Union. How did he do become the leader of the Soviet Union. How did he do that?that?

RISE OF STALIN

How Soviet Union is ruled How Soviet Union is ruled (p.34)(p.34)

One-party rule; no free electionsOne-party rule; no free elections

Party Congress brings together thousands of Party Congress brings together thousands of delegates from party organizations across the delegates from party organizations across the country. Its main function is to "elect" a Central country. Its main function is to "elect" a Central Committee which runs the Communist Party.Committee which runs the Communist Party.

In turn, the Central Committee's main job is to In turn, the Central Committee's main job is to elect a Politburo which decides government elect a Politburo which decides government policies. policies.

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LEON TROTSKYLEON TROTSKY

Brilliant and fearless leader with great speaking and writing skills

Played a leading role in the October 1917 Revolution

Led the Red Army to victory during the Civil War

Saw himself as Lenin’s rightful heir

Seen as arrogant by his opponents

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JOSEPH STALINJOSEPH STALIN Did not play significant role in

the October Revolution or the Civil War.

Appointed Secretary-General of Communist Party in 1922

Seen by Trotsky and many others as a dim-witted person

Stalin’s opponents underestimated him and did not consider him a serious threat

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LEV KAMENEVLEV KAMENEV Member of the Bolshevik

Party since its formation in 1903.

Trusted by Lenin. Had good leadership and

organisational skills. Acted as Lenin’s deputy

before. Opposed Lenin on the timing

of the October Revolution.

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GRIGORY ZINOVIEVGRIGORY ZINOVIEV Member of the Bolshevik

Party since its formation in 1903.

Trusted by Lenin. Had good leadership and

organisational skills. Also opposed Lenin on

the timing of the October Revolution.

Factors for rise of StalinFactors for rise of Stalin Non-disclosure of Lenin’s Testament (will)Non-disclosure of Lenin’s Testament (will) Trotsky’s unpopularity in the PartyTrotsky’s unpopularity in the Party Stalin’s manipulations/ trickeryStalin’s manipulations/ trickery

pretended to have been close to Leninpretended to have been close to Lenin control over party organization’control over party organization’ exploitation of divisions exploitation of divisions

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Non-disclosure of Lenin’s Testament Non-disclosure of Lenin’s Testament (will)(will)

Before his death, Lenin wrote a will expressing his views of various leaders of the Communist Party.

E.g. Lenin warned that Stalin should not be trusted to use his power wisely. He also said that Stalin was rude and impatient and should be removed as Secretary-General. On the other hand, he praised Trotsky as the most capable man in the Party.

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Non-disclosure of Lenin’s Testament Non-disclosure of Lenin’s Testament (will)(will)

However, the Party leaders felt that the will should not be made public as Lenin had criticized all of them. In addition, some Party members felt that Trotsky was a greater threat so they decided to ignore Lenin’s instruction to remove Stalin.

Thus, the Party’s decision to ignore Lenin’s will allowed Stalin to retain his position as Secretary-General of the Party, which he later used to great effect during his rise to power. (link to Stalin’s rise to power)

Source 2.3 (p.38)Source 2.3 (p.38)

““Comrade Stalin, having become Secretary-General, has unlimited Comrade Stalin, having become Secretary-General, has unlimited authority concentrated in his hands and I am not sure whether he authority concentrated in his hands and I am not sure whether he will always be capable of using that authority with sufficient caution.will always be capable of using that authority with sufficient caution.

Stalin is too rude and this defect becomes intolerable in a Stalin is too rude and this defect becomes intolerable in a Secretary-General. That is why I suggest that the comrades think Secretary-General. That is why I suggest that the comrades think about a way of removing Stalin from that post and appointing about a way of removing Stalin from that post and appointing another man in his stead.”another man in his stead.”

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Q) What does this source tell us about Stalin as a leader?Q) What does this source tell us about Stalin as a leader?

““Comrades, every word of Lenin’s is law to us … But we Comrades, every word of Lenin’s is law to us … But we are happy to say that in one point Lenin’s fears have are happy to say that in one point Lenin’s fears have proved baseless. I have in mind the point about Stalin. You proved baseless. I have in mind the point about Stalin. You have all witnessed our harmonious cooperation in the last have all witnessed our harmonious cooperation in the last few months; and like myself, you will be happy to say that few months; and like myself, you will be happy to say that Lenin’s fears have proved baseless.”Lenin’s fears have proved baseless.”

Zinoviev, one of Lenin’s closest associates, defended Stalin Zinoviev, one of Lenin’s closest associates, defended Stalin against Lenin’s call, in his will, for Stalin’s removalagainst Lenin’s call, in his will, for Stalin’s removal

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Trotsky’s unpopularity in the Trotsky’s unpopularity in the PartyParty

Trotsky’s arrogance and extreme ideology made him an unpopular figure in the Communist Party.

E.g. Trotsky believed he would succeed Lenin and made little effort to build up any support within the ranks of the Party. He often offended other senior party and failed to take the opposition seriously. His support came from a narrow base: the youths, students and the Red Army.

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Trotsky’s unpopularity in the Trotsky’s unpopularity in the PartyParty

Moreover, Trotsky’s idea of world revolution did not find broad acceptance among Party members because they were weary at the prospect of more fighting. In contrast, most Party members felt that Stalin’s idea of ‘Socialism in one country’ was more practical..

Thus, Trotsky’s unpopularity caused him to lose support Thus, Trotsky’s unpopularity caused him to lose support within the party and weakened his quest for power. This within the party and weakened his quest for power. This paved the way for Stalin to take advantage and gain paved the way for Stalin to take advantage and gain power at Trotsky’s expense. (link to Stalin’s rise)power at Trotsky’s expense. (link to Stalin’s rise)

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Stalin’s manipulation – pretended Stalin’s manipulation – pretended to have been close to Leninto have been close to Lenin

Stalin pretended that he had been close to Lenin to give others the impression that Lenin had favoured him.

E.g. when Lenin died in 1924, Stalin organized the funeral, gave the funeral speech and played the role of chief mourner, showing deep sorrow over Lenin’s death.

BackBack

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Stalin’s manipulation – pretended Stalin’s manipulation – pretended to have been close to Leninto have been close to Lenin

He also tricked his biggest rival, Trotsky, into missing Lenin’s funeral by giving him the wrong date. As a result, many party members were angry with Trotsky’s apparent lack of respect for Lenin when he failed to appear at the funeral.

Thus, through his political trickery, Stalin was able to Thus, through his political trickery, Stalin was able to present himself as the rightful successor to Lenin and present himself as the rightful successor to Lenin and destroy the reputation of Trotsky. This paved the way for destroy the reputation of Trotsky. This paved the way for his rise to power. (link to Stalin’s rise)his rise to power. (link to Stalin’s rise)

BackBack

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Stalin’s manipulation – control Stalin’s manipulation – control over Party organizationover Party organization

Stalin’s position as Secretary-General gave him considerable power over Party organization

E.g. Stalin appointed his own supporters to important posts and transferred supporters of his opponents to less important posts. Many key Party officials owed their positions to him and were loyal to him.

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Stalin’s manipulation – control Stalin’s manipulation – control over Party organizationover Party organization

By controlling the Party organization, Stalin was able to pack a 1925 Party meeting with his supporters, who voted to remove Trotsky from his posts. In 1927, Stalin had Trotsky expelled from the Party.

Thus, by controlling the Party organization, Stalin was Thus, by controlling the Party organization, Stalin was able to build up his support base within the party which able to build up his support base within the party which enabled him to consolidate his power and eliminate his enabled him to consolidate his power and eliminate his opponents. (link to Stalin’s rise)opponents. (link to Stalin’s rise)

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Stalin’s manipulation – Stalin’s manipulation – exploitation of divisionsexploitation of divisions

Stalin took advantage of divisions within the Party and played one side against the other to gain power.

First, Stalin allied himself with Zinoviev and Kamenev to cover up Lenin’s Will and to get Trotsky dismissed.

Once Trotsky had been removed, Stalin then worked with Bukharin to relieve Kamanev and Zinoviev of their posts. Later, he had Bukharin removed from his post.

Link to Stalin’s riseLink to Stalin’s rise

Thus, by switching alliances and exploiting Thus, by switching alliances and exploiting divisions within the party, Stalin was able divisions within the party, Stalin was able to isolate his opponents and eliminate to isolate his opponents and eliminate them one by one in a ruthless way. This them one by one in a ruthless way. This paved the way for his rise to power.paved the way for his rise to power.

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what led to the rise of stalin? 1 crisis and conflict: communist russia copyright 2006

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