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[[File: Stalin in exile 1915.jpg |thumbnail|left|275px200px|Stalin in Siberia]]On April 3, 1922, Joseph Stalin is remembered as one took over control of the bloodiest tyrants in the history of the world. He was the absolute ruler Communist Party of the Soviet Union , and later of by 1927, he had absolute power over the Communist bloc in Easter EuropeUSSR and was its unquestioned ruler. He rose How did Stalin rise to this unprecedented level of power as a result of his own personal capabilities so quickly after Lenin's death and his understanding of the workings usurp all of the Communist Power that had total control of the Soviet Union after the Russian Civil War (1917-1920). Stalin was not the natural successor of Lenin, but he was able to use his position within the Soviet Communist Party to become the undisputed leader of the Soviet Union.<ref>Boobbyer, Phillip. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415182980/ref=as_li_tlchallengers?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415182980&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=10976fbde66cefcc9a2808e5d094f993 The Stalin Era]'' (Routledge, London, 2000), p. 78</ref>
==October revolution and Russian Civil WarWhat was Stalin’s Early Life like? ==[[File:Russian_Revolution_of_1917.jpg|thumbnail|300px|Bolshevik troops in red Square]]By 1917, Joseph Stalin was in St. Petersburg, which was soon to be renamed Petrograd. This was the capital future leader of the revolutionary government that had seized power from Soviet Union, often referred to as the ‘Red Tsar ,' was born on 18 December 1878 to a Georgian cobbler in Gori, Georgia, and his government wife in February 1917a small, impoverished village. The Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky His real name was becoming unpopular despite ending the rule Josef Besarionis de Jughashvili. <ref> Boobyear, p. 111</ref> He was ethnically Georgian, but Georgia was part of the Romanov’sTsarist Russian Empire. They had failed After leaving school, Stalin went to end a seminary. Instead of studying theology and the war Bible, he embraced Marxism and to redistributed land to became a follower of Vladimir Lenin, the Russian peasantsrevolutionary Bolshevik Party leader. <ref> MontefioreConquest, Simon SebagRobert. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/14000767810140169539/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=14000767810140169539&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8d302940930c5b356ba181d00bc19d29 78415985f069f734b98307b00183a2dd Stalin: The Court Breaker of the Red TsarNations]''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson(Viking-Penguin, Hammondsworth, 20031999), p. 117112</ref> Lenin had returned from exile in Switzerland to Russia, with the aid of the German secret service. He along with the other Bolsheviks began planning to overthrow the Provisional Government and install in its place the world’s first communist country.
== What was Stalin as General Secretary of 's role during the Bolshevik PartyOctober Revolution and Russian Civil War? ==It has often been argued that the Russian Civil War [[File:Russian_Revolution_of_1917.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Bolshevik troops in Red Square]]By 1917, Stalin was won for the Bolsheviks by the revolutionary Leo Trotskyin St. This interpretation is now believed Petersburg, which was soon to be an exaggeration of Trotsky's rolerenamed Petrograd. However, Trotsky, did play a significant role in This city was the Sovietrevolutionary government's victory over capital that had seized power from [[Why did the White's Russian Romanov Dynasty collapse in 1917? |the Civil War Tsar]] and was a very important figure his government in the Communist PARTY and rivaled Lenin in prestigeFebruary 1917. Lenin The Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky was worried about becoming unpopular despite ending the influence rule of Trotsky the Romanov’s. They had failed to end the war and he employed Stalin to build up a base of support for himredistributed land to the Russian peasants. <ref> Montefiore, Simon Sebag. ''[https://www.amazon. com/gp/product/1400076781/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400076781&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8d302940930c5b356ba181d00bc19d29 Stalin did this but also at : The Court of the same timeRed Tsar]''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2003), built up p. 117</ref> The Bolsheviks skillfully adopted a body policy of supporters that were loyal promising peace and land to him in the Partywar-weary and starving population. In 1921Their message made them very popular, Stalin and in October 1917, they stormed the Winter Place and declared that the Russian Empire was appointed to now the position of General SecretarySoviet Union. This gave him great power in the Party<ref>Montefiore, p. 111</ref>Stalin created a network of supporters 's role in the PartyBolshevik Revolution is unknown. Lenin became suspicious of Stalin was presented in posters and was beginning to mistrust his former protégée. In particular, Lenin disliked other images in later propaganda as being by Lenin’s side during the brutal methods of Stalin in his native Georgia, where he brutally repressed those who opposed BolshevismRevolution. Despite Lenin’s doubtsStill, Stalin began appears to grow popular with the rank and file Party members. Unlike Lenin and Trotsky, he was not an intellectual and had have played only a minor role in the common touch and he was well-liked by manyRevolution.<ref> ConquestMontefiore, p. 114113</ref>
In 1921, Stalin was appointed to the position of General Secretary. This position gave him great power in the Party. Stalin created a network of supporters in the Party. Lenin became suspicious of Stalin and was beginning to mistrust his former protégée. In particular, Lenin disliked Stalin's brutal methods in his native Georgia, where he brutally repressed those who opposed Bolshevism. Despite Lenin’s doubts, Stalin began to grow popular with the rank and file Party members. Unlike Lenin and Trotsky, he was not an intellectual and had the common touch, and he was well-liked by many.<ref> Conquest, p. 114</ref>
==Stalin’s rise to PowerHow did Stalin become Lenin's potential heir? ==[[File:Lenin_and_stalin_crop.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|Lenin and Stalin was officially in Gorki, 1922]]After the leader of Revolution, Lenin held power in the Communist partynew country. However, but to many in the Party1922, after surgery, he was only had a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity stroke, and that he was not a political figure of real substancenever the same. Stalin had always been underestimated by The stroke weakened Lenin, and many prominent Bolsheviks because feared that he was would not well educatedhave long to live. Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev all saw themselves as the logical choice as the successor of Lenin. However, they were not as popular as they believed was largely confined to a country retreat and that Stalin was very popular with the ordinary Party membercut off from politics. Stalin was shrewd enough not to appear to be seeking the leadership The ruling council of the Bolshevik Party. Furthermore, he publically denounced Kamenev and Zinoviev, when they tried to involve him in a conspiracy against Trotsky in 1925. This only left Stalin and Trotsky as the sole contenders for the leadership role.<ref> FelshtinskyPolitburo, Yuri. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929631952/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1929631952&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8e5c4b8740fbfc8f691fb6ae90aae02b ordered Lenin to avoid and His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–1924]</i>. Enigma Books, 2000), pconcentrate on his recovery. 201</ref>
==ConclusionHow did Stalin eliminate his competitors for control of the Soviet Union?==By 1928After Lenin's death, Stalin was given the undisputed ruler honor of organizing the official funeral. He arranged the Soviet Unionfuneral and ignored Lenin’s final wishes. In 1920Stalin also gave a speech at the funeral, he managed to achieve this despite the opposition of Lenin and many Lenin’s window. Stalin, under the rules of the senior leaders in the Party. He , was widely seen as an uneducated peasantnow the de-facto successor of Lenin. However, he managed to turn this to his advantage and in his role as General Secretary, he built up his power base in the country. Stalin party was also generally popular among the ordinary Party Members and this was crucialnot fully under his control. This meant that he He had a powerful and influential following and this allowed him to build up his share power with a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev, and influence until he was in total control of the partyKamenev.<ref>Read, p.236</ref>
Stalin was officially the leader of the Communist party, but to many in the Party, he was only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity and a political figure of no real substance. Many prominent Bolsheviks had always underestimated Stalin because he was not well educated. Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev all saw themselves as the logical choice as the successor of Lenin. However, they were not as popular as they believed, and that Stalin was very popular with the ordinary Party member. Stalin was shrewd enough not to appear to be seeking the leadership of the Party. Furthermore, Stalin publically denounced Kamenev and Zinoviev when they tried to involve him in a conspiracy against Trotsky in 1925. That left Stalin and Trotsky as the sole contenders for the leadership role.<ref> Felshtinsky, Yuri. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929631952/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1929631952&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8e5c4b8740fbfc8f691fb6ae90aae02b Lenin and His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–1924]</i>. Enigma Books, 2000), p. 201</ref> == When did Stalin come to Power as the Ruler of the Soviet Union? ==[[File:Stalin-Bukharin.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|Stalin and Bukharin in 1928]]Trotsky and Stalin began to vie against each other for control of the Soviet Union in 1925. By 1927, Stalin would emerge as the unquestioned leader of the Soviet, but first, he had to eliminate Trotsky from the competition. The rivalry between Trotsky and Stalin was personal because both men had radically different views on Communism's nature. More importantly, they held antithetical ideas on the future of the worldwide Communist revolt. Influenced by Marx, the Bolsheviks believed that there was going to be a world-wide Communist Revolution. Stalin began advocating "Socialism in One Country," which says that the Bolsheviks should focus on building communism in the countries they already controlled rather than spreading the revolution. This view drew many like-minded Party members to Stalin, especially the rank and file. Stalin placed himself in ideological opposition to Trotsky.<ref> Felshtinsky, p. 202</ref> The Party accepted Stalin’s position, and this meant that Trotsky was increasingly marginalized. He then decided to organize public protests, along with others, against Stalin’s growing control of the Party. However, Stalin employed a law passed by Lenin, ordering unity in the Party. Stalin asserted that Trotsky was trying to split the party, and this ploy managed to sideline Trotsky even further. Another factor, in the growing isolation of Leon Trotsky, despite his achievements during the Russian Civil War, was his Jewish heritage.<ref> Felshtinsky, p. 203</ref> There was a great deal of antisemitism in Russian, which made Trotsky unpopular. By 1927, Stalin was so powerful that he could force Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev from the Politburo and later expelled them from the Bolshevik Party. Trotsky was forced into exile and eventually later settled in Mexico. == How did Stalin Consolidate His Power in the Soviet Union? ==<div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'>====Related Articles====* [[What were the goals of the Axis powers and the Soviet Union during World War Two?]]* [[What is the History of US Presidential Scandals?]]* [[How did Winston Churchill become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in World War Two?]]* [[How did Vladimir Lenin Rise To Power?]]{{#dpl:category=Russian History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=4}}</div>By 1927, Stalin was the unquestioned ruler of the Soviet Union. He had filled the administration of the Party with people who were loyal to him. Increasingly, Stalin appointed his loyalists to the Politburo. Many of Lenin’s former lieutenants realized that Stalin was making himself a de-facto dictator. Bukharin was something of a darling in the Party. He was handsome, charismatic, and a favorite of Lenin. He led the opposition to Stalin in the Politburo.<ref> Felshtinsky, p. 204</ref> He opposed Stalin’s policy of the rapid industrialization of the Soviet Union and called for the gradual introduction of industrialization. Stalin prevailed, and later, he had Bukharin expelled. All those who had crossed Stalin in some way were to be murdered on his orders. Some years later, Stalin sent an assassin to murder Trotsky. A Soviet Agent later killed him with an ice pick. Kamenev, Bukharin, and Zinoviev were all later put on trial, in a show trial and executed, on the trumped charges of plotting against the state. Lenin’s widow also died in suspicious circumstances, and many believed that she was poisoned on Stalin’s orders.<ref>Read, p. 235</ref> == Conclusion ==By 1928, Stalin was the undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union. In 1920, he managed to achieve this despite Lenin's opposition and many of the Party's senior leaders. He was widely seen as an uneducated peasant. However, he managed to turn this to his advantage, and in his role as General Secretary, he built a power base in the country. Stalin was also generally popular among the ordinary Party members, and this was crucial to his success. Stalin effectively built a powerful and influential following, which allowed him to take total control of the Soviet Union gradually. ====Suggested Readings====* Boobbyer, Phillip. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415182980/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415182980&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=10976fbde66cefcc9a2808e5d094f993 The Stalin Era]'' (Routledge, London, 2000)* Conquest, Robert. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140169539/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140169539&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=78415985f069f734b98307b00183a2dd Stalin: Breaker of Nations]''. (Viking-Penguin, Hammondsworth, 1999)* Felshtinsky, Yuri. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929631952/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1929631952&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8e5c4b8740fbfc8f691fb6ae90aae02b Lenin and His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–1924]</i>. Enigma Books, 2000) * Montefiore, Simon Sebag. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400076781/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400076781&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8d302940930c5b356ba181d00bc19d29 Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar]''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2003)* Read, Christopher. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415206499/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415206499&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d05be7a646c17cc922f1ffe49958037b Lenin: A Revolutionary Life]</i> (London: Routledge, 2005) ====References====
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