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[[File: Stalin in exile 1915.jpg |thumbnail|275pxleft|200px|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 of the Communist Power that had total control usurp all 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>

==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 LeninRise 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-Penguin(Routledge, HammondsworthLondon, 19992000), p. 112</ref> Stalin soon joined the Bolshevik movement and was very active in violent attacks on the Tsarist government. He was noted as a bank robber, these were undertaken in order to subvert the system and gain funds for 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 helped to organize a terrorist campaign in the region. He was involved in the notorious Tiflis bank robbery, during which 40 people were killed. This led to him being rated very highly by the Bolshevik leadership.<ref>Conquest, p. 87 </ref> Stalin was captured and exiled to Siberia numerous times, but usually escaped. He eventually became one of Vladimir Lenin's closest associates, 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 Stalin, 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>Boobyear, p. 134</ref>

==October revolution Stalin soon joined the Bolshevik movement and Russian Civil War==[[File:Russian_Revolution_of_1917.jpg|thumbnail|300px|Bolshevik troops in red Square]]By 1917, Stalin was very active in Stviolent attacks on the Tsarist government. PetersburgHe was a notorious bank robber, which was soon and he committed these robberies to be renamed Petrograd. This was the capital of subvert the revolutionary Tsarist government that had seized power from and fund the Tsar and his government in February 1917revolution. The Provisional Government After being placed under Alexander Kerensky was becoming unpopular despite ending surveillance by Russian secret police, the rule of the Romanov’s. They had failed to end the war and to redistributed land to the Russian peasantsOhrakan, for his activities, he went underground. <ref> MontefioreConquest, Simon Sebagp. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140007678178</ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400076781&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8d302940930c5b356ba181d00bc19d29 Stalin: The Court > He became one of the Red Tsar]'Bolsheviks'leaders in the Caucasus, organizing paramilitaries and taking part in a terrorist campaign in the region. London: Weidenfeld & NicolsonHe was involved in the notorious Tiflis bank robbery, 2003)where 40 people were killed. This robbery raised his standing among the Bolshevik leadership.<ref>Conquest, p. 11787 </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.

The Bolsheviks skillfully adopted a policy of promising peace Stalin was captured and land exiled to the war weary and starving populationSiberia numerous times, but usually, he escaped. Their message made them very popular and in October 1917He eventually became one of Vladimir Lenin's closest associates, they stormed the Winter Place and declared that the Russian Empire or so he was now later to claim vigorously, which helped him rise to the Soviet Union.<ref>Montefiore, p. 111</ref> The exact role heights of Stalin in power after the Bolshevik Russian Revolution is not known in any great detail. In later propaganda1910 he changed his name to Stalin, Stalin was presented meaning in posters Russian ‘Man of Steel’ supposedly adopted to protect his real identity from the police and other images perhaps also to create a public image as being by Lenin’s side during the Revolution. In fact, it seemed that Stalin only played a minor role in the Revolutiontrue revolutionary.<ref>MontefioreBoobyear, p. 113134</ref>

However== What was Stalin's role during the October Revolution and Russian Civil War? ==[[File:Russian_Revolution_of_1917.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Bolshevik troops in Red Square]]By 1917, Stalin was in St. Petersburg, which was soon to make be renamed Petrograd. This city was the revolutionary government's capital that had seized power from [[Why did the Russian Romanov Dynasty collapse in 1917? |the Tsar]] and his reputation government in February 1917. The Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky was becoming unpopular despite ending the Russian Civil Warrule of the Romanov’s. He was appointed as a Political Commissar They had failed to several Generals end the war and ensured that they were loyal 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 BolsheviksRed Tsar]''. EventuallyLondon: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, he was given 2003), p. 117</ref> The Bolsheviks skillfully adopted a military command policy of promising peace and brutally suppressed White Counterland to the war-Revolutionaries weary and banditsstarving population. He was also instrumental Their message made them very popular, and in conquering his native GeorgiaOctober 1917, which had they stormed the Winter Place and declared itself to be independentthat the Russian Empire was now the Soviet Union.<ref>Montefiore, p. 111</ref>Stalin was later appointed to the army 's role in the Ukraine and he helped to push back a Polish invasion, however, he Bolshevik Revolution is unknown. Stalin was criticized for not defeating the Poles completely presented in posters and exporting other images in later propaganda as being by Lenin’s side during the revolution Revolution. Still, Stalin appears to that country and elsewhere have played only a minor role in Europethe Revolution.<ref>Montefiore, p. 118113</ref>

== However, Stalin as General Secretary of the Bolshevik Party==It has often been argued that made his reputation during 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 He was appointed as a very important figure in the Communist PARTY Political Commissar to several Generals and rivaled Lenin in prestige. Lenin was worried about the 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 ensured that they were loyal to him in the PartyBolsheviks. In 1921Eventually, Stalin he was appointed to the position of General Secretary. This gave him great power in the Party. Stalin created given a network of supporters in the Partymilitary command and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries and bandits. Lenin became suspicious of Stalin and He was beginning to mistrust his former protégée. In particular, Lenin disliked the brutal methods of Stalin also instrumental in conquering his native Georgia, where he brutally repressed those who opposed Bolshevismwhich had declared itself to be independent. Despite Lenin’s doubts, Stalin began was later appointed to grow popular with the rank Ukraine army, and file Party membershe helped to push back a Polish invasion. Unlike Lenin and Trotsky However, he was criticized for not an intellectual routing the Poles and had exporting the common touch revolution to that country and he was well-liked by manyelsewhere in Europe.<ref> ConquestMontefiore, p. 114118</ref>

==Lenin and How did Stalinbecome General Secretary of the Bolshevik Party after the Russian Revolution? ==[[File: 650px-JStalin Secretary general CCCP 1942 flippedHistorians have often argued that the Russian Civil War was won for the Bolsheviks by the revolutionary Leo Trotsky.jpg |thumbnail| Stalin as General Secretary]]Ultimate power lay with LeninThis 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 1922, after surgery, he had a stroke. He was never the same again Civil War and he was physically weakened a significant figure in the Communist PARTY and many feared that he would not have long to liverivaled Lenin in prestige. Lenin was largely confined worried about Trotsky's influence, and he employed Stalin to build up a country retreat, cut off from politicsbase of support for him. The ruling council of the Bolshevik PartyStalin did this but also, at the Politburosame time, ordered built up a body of supporters that Lenin did not involve himself were loyal to him in politics or in public affairs but concentrate on his recovery. Stalin as General Secretary of the Communist Party was one of the few people who had access to him. Stalin used his position to cut Lenin off from the party and effectively to isolate him. He had become aware of Lenin’s dislike of Stalin and that he believed that he was too cruel and authoritarian. One day, Stalin berated Lenin's wife for breaching Politburo orders by helping Lenin communicate with others on public matters, this angered Lenin.<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), p. 112</ref>

As In 1921, Stalin was appointed to the relationship between Lenin and Stalin deteriorated, Lenin dictated his testamentposition of General Secretary. This was position gave him great power in effect his ideas analysis of the current Bolshevik Part, the future of the Revolution and especially on the character of StalinParty. In the testament, Stalin was castigated and denounced as self-serving and seeking to amass personal power created a network of supporters in the partParty. Lenin called for the removal became suspicious of Stalin as General Secretary. Before Lenin could publish the testament, he suffered a heart attack and was paralyzedbeginning to mistrust his former protégée. In particular, Lenin disliked Stalin received the testament from one of Lenin’s secretaries's brutal methods in his native Georgia, where he brutally repressed those who was actually his agentopposed Bolshevism. Stalin repressed Despite Lenin’s criticism of him if it had come to light Stalin’s career would have been finished.<ref>Readdoubts, p 234</ref> Late allies of Stalin colluded began to repress all mention of grow popular with the documentrank and file Party members. Unlike Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21stand Trotsky, 1924. Stalin he was given the honor of organizing the official funeral. He organized the funeral not an intellectual and ignored Lenin’s final wishes. Stalin also gave an oration at had the funeralcommon touch, despite the opposition of Lenin’s window. Stalin under the rules of the Party and he was now the dewell-facto successor of Lenin. However, the party was not under his control, he had to share power with a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenevliked by many.<ref>ReadConquest, p. 236114</ref>

==Stalin’s rise to Power==Stalin was officially , the leader General Secretary of the Communist party, but to many in the Party, he was only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity and that he was not a political figure one of real substance. Stalin the few people who still had always been underestimated by many prominent Bolsheviks because he was not well educated. Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev all saw themselves as the logical choice as the successor of Leninaccess. 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 used his position to appear to be seeking cut Lenin off from the leadership of the Party. Furthermore, he publically denounced Kamenev party and Zinoviev, when they tried effectively to involve isolate him in a conspiracy against Trotsky in 1925. This only left He knew that Lenin’s disliked him because Lenin perceived him as cruel and authoritarian. Stalin and Trotsky as the sole contenders even berated Lenin's wife for the leadership rolebreaching Politburo orders by helping Lenin communicate with others on public matters. Stalin's attack on his wife angered Lenin.<ref> FelshtinskyRead, YuriChristopher. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/19296319520415206499/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=19296319520415206499&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8e5c4b8740fbfc8f691fb6ae90aae02b d05be7a646c17cc922f1ffe49958037b Lenin and His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–1924A Revolutionary Life]</i>. Enigma Books(London: Routledge, 20002005), p. 201112</ref>

==Socialism in One Country==The rivalry As the relationship between Trotsky Lenin and Stalin deteriorated, Lenin dictated his Testament. This Testament was not only a personal rivalry. Both men had different views on , in effect, his analysis of the nature of Communism and more importantly different ideas on current Bolshevik Party, the future of the worldwide Communist revolutionRevolution, and an indictment of Stalin's character. Influenced by Marx, In the BolsheviksTestament, believed that there Stalin was going to be a worldcastigated and denounced as self-wide Communist Revolutionserving and focused only on amassing personal power. Lenin called for the removal of Stalin began advocating "Socialism in One Country," which says that the Bolsheviks should focus building communism in the countries they already controlled rather than spreading the revolutionas General Secretary. This drew to him many like-minded Party members, especially Before Lenin could publish the rank and file and this put him in ideological opposition to Trotsky.<ref> FelshtinskyTestament, p. 202</ref> The Part accepted Stalin’s position he suffered a heart attack 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 Partyparalyzed. However, Stalin, employed a law passed by Lenin, ordering unity in received the Party. Stalin asserted that TrotskyTestament from one of Lenin’s secretaries, who was trying to split the party and this ploy managed to sideline Trotsky even furtherhis agent. Another factor, in the growing isolation Stalin repressed Lenin’s criticism of Leon Trotsky, despite his achievements during him. If the Russian Civil WarTestament had come to light, was that fact that he was JewishStalin’s career would have been finished.<ref> FelshtinskyRead, p. 203234</ref> There was a great deal Allies of antisemitism in Russian and this made Trotsky unpopular. By 1927, Stalin was so powerful that he could force Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinoviev from colluded to repress all mention of the Politburo and later expelled from the Bolshevik Partydocument. Trotsky was forced into exile and eventually later settled in MexicoLenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21st, 1924. <dh-ad/>

==Consolidating His RuleHow did Stalin eliminate his competitors for control of the Soviet Union?==By 1927After Lenin's death, Stalin was given the unquestioned ruler honor of organizing the Soviet Unionofficial funeral. His had filled He arranged the administration of funeral and ignored Lenin’s final wishes. Stalin also gave a speech at the Party with people who were loyal to him. Increasinglyfuneral, Stalin appointed his loyalists to despite the Politburo. Many opposition of Lenin’s former lieutenants realized that window. Stalin , under the rules of the Party, was making himself a now the de-facto dictator. Bukharin was something successor of a darling in the PartyLenin. He was handsomeHowever, charismatic and a favorite of Lenin. He led the opposition to Stalin in the Politburo.<ref> Felshtinsky, pparty was not fully under his control. 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. He was later killed by share power with a collection of other Soviet Agent with an ice pick. Kamenevleaders, Bukharinincluding Trotsky, 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 ordersKamenev.<ref>Read, p. 235236</ref>

==Conclusion==By 1928, Stalin was officially the undisputed ruler leader of the Soviet Union. In 1920Communist party, he managed but to achieve this despite the opposition of Lenin and many of the senior leaders in the Party, he was only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity and a political figure of no real substance. He Many prominent Bolsheviks had always underestimated Stalin because he was widely seen as an uneducated peasantnot well educated. HoweverTrotsky, Kamenev, he managed to turn this to his advantage and in his role Zinoviev all saw themselves as General Secretary, he built up his power base in the country. Stalin was also generally popular among logical choice as the ordinary Party Members and this was crucial. This meant that he had a powerful and influential following and this allowed him to build up his power and influence until he was in total control successor of the partyLenin.

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====