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[[File: Stalin in exile 1915.jpg |thumbnail|left|225px200px|Stalin in Siberia]]How and when did On April 3, 1922, Joseph Stalin come to power? 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 of the Communist Party. Stalin translated these strengths into total control usurp all of the Soviet Union after the Russian Civil War (1917-1920). Stalin was not the natural successor of [[How did Vladimir Lenin Rise To Power?|Vladimir 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>

===Stalin’s Early Life===Joseph Stalin, was one of the bloodiest tyrants in world history. He was the future leader absolute ruler of the Soviet Union, often referred and later of the Communist bloc in Eastern Europe. He rose to as the ‘Red Tsar', was born on 18 December 1878 this unprecedented level of power due to a Georgian cobbler in Gori, Georgia his capabilities and his wife in a small impoverished villageunderstanding of the workings of the Communist Party. His real name was Josef Besarionis de Jughashvili. <ref> Boobyear, p. 111</ref> He was ethnically Georgian, but Georgia was part Stalin translated these strengths into total control of the Tsarist Soviet Union after the Russian EmpireCivil War (1917-1920). After leaving school, he Stalin was sent to a seminary. Instead of studying theology and not the bible, he embraced Marxism and became a follower natural successor of [[How did Vladimir Lenin Rise To Power?|Vladimir Lenin]], but he could use his position within the Soviet Communist Party to become the undisputed leader of the revolutionary Bolshevik PartySoviet Union.<ref> ConquestBoobbyer, RobertPhillip. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/01401695390415182980/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=01401695390415182980&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=78415985f069f734b98307b00183a2dd 10976fbde66cefcc9a2808e5d094f993 The Stalin: Breaker of NationsEra]''. (Viking-PenguinRoutledge, HammondsworthLondon, 19992000), p. 11278</ref>

== What was Stalin’s Early Life like? ==Joseph Stalin soon joined , the Bolshevik movement and future leader of the Soviet Union, often referred to as the ‘Red Tsar,' was very active in violent attacks born on the Tsarist government. He was noted 18 December 1878 to a bank robber, these were undertaken Georgian cobbler in order to subvert the system and gain funds for the revolution. After being placed under surveillance by Russian secret policeGori, the OhrakanGeorgia, for and his activitieswife in a small, he went undergroundimpoverished village. His real name was Josef Besarionis de Jughashvili.<ref>ConquestBoobyear, p. 78111</ref> He became one was ethnically Georgian, but Georgia was part of the Bolsheviks' leaders in Tsarist Russian Empire. After leaving school, Stalin went to a seminary. Instead of studying theology and the Caucasus, organizing paramilitariesBible, he embraced Marxism and became a terrorist campaign in the region. He was involved in the notorious Tiflis bank robberyfollower of Vladimir Lenin, during which 40 people were killed. This raised his standing among the revolutionary Bolshevik leadershipParty leader.<ref>Conquest, pRobert. ''[https://www.amazon. 87 <com/gp/product/0140169539/ref> =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140169539&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=78415985f069f734b98307b00183a2dd Stalin was captured and exiled to Siberia numerous times, but usually escaped. He eventually became one : Breaker of Vladimir LeninNations]''s closest associates. (Viking-Penguin, or so he was later to vigorously claim which helped him rise to the heights of power after the Russian Revolution. In 1910 he changed his name to StalinHammondsworth, meaning in Russian ‘Man of Steel’ supposedly adopted in an effort to protect his real identity from the police and perhaps also to create a public image as a true revolutionary. <ref>Boobyear1999), p. 134112</ref>

Stalin soon joined the Bolshevik movement and was very active in violent attacks on the Tsarist government. He was a notorious bank robber, and he committed these robberies to subvert the Tsarist government and fund the revolution. After being placed under surveillance by Russian secret police, the Ohrakan, for his activities, he went underground.<ref>Conquest, p. 78</ref> He became one of the Bolsheviks' leaders in the Caucasus, organizing paramilitaries and taking part in a terrorist campaign in the region. He was involved in the notorious Tiflis bank robbery, where 40 people were killed. This robbery raised his standing among the Bolshevik leadership.<ref>Conquest, p. 87 </ref>  Stalin was captured and exiled to Siberia numerous times, but usually, he escaped. He eventually became one of Vladimir Lenin's closest associates, or so he was later to claim vigorously, which helped him rise to the heights of power after the Russian Revolution. In 1910 he changed his name to Stalin, meaning in Russian ‘Man of Steel’ supposedly adopted to protect his real identity from the police and perhaps also to create a public image as a true revolutionary. <ref>Boobyear, p. 134</ref> ===What was Stalin's role during the October Revolution and the Russian Civil War=? ==

By 1917, Stalin was in St. Petersburg, which was soon to be renamed Petrograd. This city was the capital of the revolutionary government 's capital that had seized power from [[Why did the Russian Romanov Dynasty collapse in 1917?|the Tsar]] and his government in February 1917. The Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky was becoming unpopular despite ending the rule of the Romanov’s. They had failed to end the war and to redistributed 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: The Court of the Red Tsar]''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2003), p. 117</ref> The Bolsheviks skillfully adopted a policy of promising peace and land to the war -weary and starving population. Their message made them very popular , and in October 1917, they stormed the Winter Place and declared that the Russian Empire was now the Soviet Union.<ref>Montefiore, p. 111</ref>The exact Stalin's role of Stalin in the Bolshevik Revolution is not known in any great detailunknown. In later propaganda, Stalin was presented in posters and other images in later propaganda as being by Lenin’s side during the Revolution. In factStill, it seemed that Stalin appears to have played only played a minor role in the Revolution. <ref>Montefiore, p. 113</ref>

However, Stalin was to make made his reputation in during the Russian Civil War. He was appointed as a Political Commissar to several Generals and ensured that they were loyal to the Bolsheviks. Eventually, he was given a military command and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries and bandits. He was also instrumental in conquering his native Georgia, which had declared itself to be independent. Stalin was later appointed to the Ukraine army in the Ukraine , and he helped to push back a Polish invasion, however. However, he was criticized for not defeating routing the Poles completely and exporting the revolution to that country and elsewhere in Europe.<ref>Montefiore, p. 118</ref>

===How did Stalin as become General Secretary of the Bolshevik Party=after the Russian Revolution? ==Historians have often argued that the Russian Civil War was won for the Bolsheviks by the revolutionary Leo Trotsky. This interpretation is now believed to be an exaggeration of Trotsky's role. However, Trotsky, did play a significant role in the Soviet's victory over the White's in the Civil War and was a very important significant figure in the Communist PARTY and rivaled Lenin in prestige. Lenin was worried about the Trotsky's influence of Trotsky , and he employed Stalin to build up a base of support for him. Stalin did this but also , at the same time, built up a body of supporters that were loyal to him in the Party. In 1921, Stalin was appointed to the position of General Secretary. This 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 the brutal methods of Stalin 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>

===Lenin and In 1921, Stalin===[[File: 650px-JStalin was appointed to the position of General Secretary general CCCP 1942 flipped.jpg |thumbnail| Stalin as General Secretary]]After the Revolution, Lenin held the This position gave him great power in the new countryParty. However, Stalin created a network of supporters in 1922, after surgery, he had a stroke and he was never the sameParty. Lenin was physically weakened became suspicious of Stalin and many feared that he would not have long to live. Lenin was largely confined beginning to a country retreat and cut off from politicsmistrust his former protégée. The ruling council of the Bolshevik Party, the PolitburoIn particular, ordered Lenin to avoid and concentrate on disliked Stalin's brutal methods in his recoverynative Georgia, where he brutally repressed those who opposed Bolshevism. Despite Lenin’s doubts, Stalin, began to grow popular with the General Secretary of the Communist rank and file Partymembers. Unlike Lenin and Trotsky, he was one of the few people who still not an intellectual and had access to him. Stalin used his position to cut Lenin off from the party and effectively to isolate him. He knew that Lenin’s disliked himcommon touch, because Lenin perceived him as cruel and authoritarian. Stalin even berated Lenin's wife for breaching Politburo orders he was well-liked by helping Lenin communicate with others on public matters. Stalin's attack on his wife angered Leninmany.<ref>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)Conquest, p. 112114</ref>

As the relationship between == How did Stalin become Lenin's potential heir? ==[[File:Lenin_and_stalin_crop.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|Lenin and Stalin deterioratedin Gorki, 1922]]After the Revolution, Lenin dictated his Testamentheld power in the new country. This Testament wasHowever, in effect1922, his analysis of the current Bolshevik Partafter surgery, he had a stroke, the future of the Revolution and an indictment of Stalin's character. In the Testament, Stalin he was castigated and denounced as self-serving and focused only on amassing personal power. Lenin called for never the removal of Stalin as General Secretarysame. Before The stroke weakened Lenin could publish the Testament, and many feared that he suffered would not have long to live. Lenin was largely confined to a heart attack country retreat and was paralyzedcut off from politics. Stalin received The ruling council of the Testament from one of Lenin’s secretariesBolshevik Party, who was actually his agent. Stalin repressed Lenin’s criticism of him. If the Testament had come Politburo, ordered Lenin to light Stalin’s career would have been finishedavoid and concentrate on his recovery.<ref>Read, p 234</ref>

Allies of Stalin colluded to repress all mention , the General Secretary of the document. Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21stCommunist Party, 1924. Stalin was given the honor one of organizing the official funeralfew people who still had access. He organized Stalin used his position to cut Lenin off from the funeral party and ignored effectively to isolate him. He knew that Lenin’s final wishesdisliked him because Lenin perceived him as cruel and authoritarian. Stalin also gave an oration at the funeral, despite the opposition of Lenin’s windoweven berated Lenin's wife for breaching Politburo orders by helping Lenin communicate with others on public matters. Stalin under the rules of the Party was now the de-facto successor of 's attack on his wife angered Lenin. However<ref>Read, the party was not under his control, he had to share power with a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev and KamenevChristopher.<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>Read(London: Routledge, 2005), p. 236112</ref>

===Stalin’s Rise to Power===As the relationship between Lenin and Stalin deteriorated, Lenin dictated his Testament. This Testament was officially the leader , in effect, his analysis of the Communist partycurrent Bolshevik Party, but to many in the Partyfuture of the Revolution, he was only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity and a political figure an indictment of no real substanceStalin's character. In the Testament, Stalin had always been underestimated by many prominent Bolsheviks because he was not well educated. Trotsky, Kamenev, castigated and Zinoviev all saw themselves denounced as self-serving and focused only on amassing personal power. Lenin called for the logical choice removal of Stalin as General Secretary. Before Lenin could publish the successor of Lenin. HoweverTestament, they were not as popular as they believed he suffered a heart attack and that Stalin was very popular with the ordinary Party memberparalyzed. Stalin was shrewd enough not to appear to be seeking received the leadership Testament from one of the PartyLenin’s secretaries, who was his agent. Furthermore, he publically denounced Kamenev and Zinoviev, when they tried to involve Stalin repressed Lenin’s criticism of him in a conspiracy against Trotsky in 1925. This only left Stalin and Trotsky as If the sole contenders for the leadership roleTestament had come to light, Stalin’s career would have been finished.<ref> FelshtinskyRead, Yuri. p 234<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>Allies of Stalin colluded to repress all mention of the document. Enigma Books, 2000)Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21st, p1924. 201<dh-ad/ref>

===Socialism in One Country=How did Stalin eliminate his competitors for control of the Soviet Union?==The rivalry between Trotsky and After Lenin's death, Stalin was not only a personalgiven the honor of organizing the official funeral. Both men had different views on He arranged the nature of Communism funeral and more importantly antithetical ideas on ignored Lenin’s final wishes. Stalin also gave a speech at the funeral, despite the future opposition of the worldwide Communist revoltLenin’s window. Influenced by MarxStalin, under the rules of the BolsheviksParty, believed that there was going to be a worldnow the de-wide Communist Revolutionfacto successor of Lenin. Stalin began advocating "Socialism in One CountryHowever," which says that the Bolsheviks should focus building communism in the countries they already controlled rather than spreading the revolutionparty was not fully under his control. This drew He had to him many like-minded Party membersshare power with a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev, especially the rank and file and this put him in ideological opposition to TrotskyKamenev.<ref> FelshtinskyRead, p. 202236</ref>

The Party accepted Stalin’s position and this meant that Trotsky Stalin was increasingly marginalized. He then decided to organize public protests, along with others, against Stalin’s growing control officially the leader of the Party. HoweverCommunist party, Stalin, employed a law passed by Lenin, ordering unity but to many in the Party. Stalin asserted that Trotsky, he was trying to split the party only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity 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 political figure of antisemitism in Russian and this made Trotsky unpopularno real substance. By 1927, Many prominent Bolsheviks had always underestimated Stalin because he was so powerful that he could force not well educated. Trotsky, Kamenev , and Zinoviev from all saw themselves as the Politburo and later expelled from logical choice as the Bolshevik Party. Trotsky was forced into exile and eventually later settled in Mexicosuccessor of Lenin.

===Consolidating His Rule===By 1927However, they were not as popular as they believed, and that Stalin was very popular with the unquestioned ruler of the Soviet Unionordinary Party member. His had filled Stalin was shrewd enough not to appear to be seeking the administration leadership of the Party with people who were loyal to him. IncreasinglyFurthermore, Stalin appointed his loyalists publically denounced Kamenev and Zinoviev when they tried to the Politburo. Many of Lenin’s former lieutenants realized that Stalin was making himself involve him in a de-facto dictator. Bukharin was something of a darling conspiracy against Trotsky in the Party1925. He was handsome, charismatic That left Stalin and a favorite of Lenin. He led Trotsky as the opposition to Stalin in sole contenders for the Politburoleadership role.<ref> Felshtinsky, pYuri. 204<i>[https://ref> He opposed Stalin’s policy of the rapid industrialization of the Soviet Union and called for the gradual introduction of industrializationwww. Stalin prevailed and later he had Bukharin expelledamazon. 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. He was later killed by a Soviet Agent with an ice pick. Kamenev, Bukharin, 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 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 circumstance and many believed that she was poisoned on Stalin’s orders.His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–1924]<ref/i>Read. Enigma Books, 2000), p. 235201</ref>

===Conclusion=When did Stalin come to Power as the Ruler of the Soviet Union? ==By [[File:Stalin-Bukharin.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|Stalin and Bukharin in 1928, ]]Trotsky and Stalin was the undisputed ruler began to vie against each other for control of the Soviet Unionin 1925. In 1920By 1927, he managed to achieve this despite Stalin would emerge as the opposition of Lenin and many unquestioned leader of the senior leaders in the Party. He was widely seen as an uneducated peasant. HoweverSoviet, but first, he managed had to turn this to his advantage and in his role as General Secretary, he built up his power base in eliminate Trotsky from the countrycompetition. The rivalry between Trotsky and Stalin was also generally popular among personal because both men had radically different views on Communism's nature. More importantly, they held antithetical ideas on the future of the ordinary Party Members and this was crucialworldwide Communist revolt. This meant Influenced by Marx, the Bolsheviks believed that he had there was going to be a powerful and influential following and this allowed him to build up his power and influence until he was in total control of the partyworld-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:8535%;"'>====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====*[[What were the goals of the Axis powers and the Soviet Union during World War Two?]]*[[How Did What is the German Military Develop BlitzkriegHistory 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}}

{{MediawikiStalin 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:Russian History}}//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====