Changes

[[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 made his reputation 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, and he helped to push back a Polish invasion. However, he was criticized for not routing the Poles and exporting the revolution to that country and elsewhere in Europe.<ref>Montefiore, p. 118</ref> == How did Stalin 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 significant figure in the Communist PARTY and rivaled Lenin in prestige. Lenin was worried about Trotsky's influence, 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 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>  == How did Stalin become Lenin's potential heir? ==[[File:Lenin_and_stalin_crop.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|Lenin and Stalin in Gorki, 1922]]After the Revolution, Lenin held power in the new country. However, in 1922, after surgery, he had a stroke, and he was never the same. The stroke weakened Lenin, and many feared that he would not have long to live. Lenin was largely confined to a country retreat and cut off from politics. The ruling council of the Bolshevik Party, the Politburo, ordered Lenin to avoid and concentrate on his recovery.

HoweverStalin, Stalin was to make his reputation in the Russian Civil War. He was appointed as a Political Commissar to several Generals and ensured that they were loyal to General Secretary of the Bolsheviks. EventuallyCommunist Party, he was given a military command and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries and bandits. He was also instrumental in conquering his native Georgia, which one of the few people who still had declared itself to be independentaccess. Stalin was later appointed used his position to cut Lenin off from the army in the Ukraine party and he helped to push back a Polish invasion, however, he was criticized for not defeating the Poles completely and exporting the revolution effectively to isolate him. He knew that country Lenin’s disliked him because Lenin perceived him as cruel and elsewhere in Europeauthoritarian. Stalin even berated Lenin's wife for breaching Politburo orders by helping Lenin communicate with others on public matters. Stalin's attack on his wife angered Lenin.<ref>MontefioreRead, 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. 118112</ref>

===As the relationship between Lenin and Stalin as General Secretary deteriorated, Lenin dictated his Testament. This Testament was, in effect, his analysis of the current Bolshevik Party===Historians have often argued that , the Russian Civil War was won for future of the Bolsheviks by the revolutionary Leo Trotsky. This interpretation is now believed to be Revolution, and an exaggeration indictment of TrotskyStalin's rolecharacter. HoweverIn the Testament, Trotsky, did play a significant role in the Soviet's victory over the White's in the Civil War Stalin was castigated and was a very important figure in the Communist PARTY denounced as self-serving and rivaled Lenin in prestigefocused only on amassing personal power. Lenin was worried about called for the influence removal of Trotsky and he employed Stalin to build up a base of support for himas General Secretary. Stalin did this but also at Before Lenin could publish the same timeTestament, built up he suffered a body of supporters that were loyal to him in the Party. In 1921, Stalin heart attack and was appointed to the position of General Secretary. This gave him great power in the Partyparalyzed. Stalin created a network of supporters in received the Party. Lenin became suspicious Testament from one of Stalin and Lenin’s secretaries, who was beginning to mistrust his former protégéeagent. In particular, Lenin disliked the brutal methods of Stalin in his native Georgia, where he brutally repressed those who opposed BolshevismLenin’s criticism of him. Despite Lenin’s doubts, Stalin began If the Testament had come to grow popular with the rank and file Party members. Unlike Lenin and Trotskylight, he was not an intellectual and had the common touch and he was well-liked by manyStalin’s career would have been finished.<ref> ConquestRead, p234</ref> Allies of Stalin colluded to repress all mention of the document. 114Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21st, 1924. <dh-ad/ref>

===Lenin and How did Stalineliminate his competitors for control of the Soviet Union?===[[File: 650px-JStalin Secretary general CCCP 1942 flipped.jpg |thumbnail| left|Stalin as General Secretary]]After the RevolutionLenin's death, Lenin held Stalin was given the power in honor of organizing the new countryofficial funeral. However, in 1922, after surgery, he had a stroke and he was never He arranged the same. Lenin was physically weakened funeral and many feared that he would not have long to liveignored Lenin’s final wishes. Lenin was largely confined to Stalin also gave a country retreat and cut off from politics. The ruling council of speech at the Bolshevik Partyfuneral, despite the Politburo, ordered Lenin to avoid and concentrate on his recoveryopposition of Lenin’s window. Stalin, under the General Secretary rules of the Communist Party, was one now the de-facto successor of the few people who still had access to himLenin. Stalin used his position to cut Lenin off from However, the party and effectively to isolate himwas not fully under his control. He knew that Lenin’s disliked himhad to share power with a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev, because Lenin perceived him as cruel and authoritarian. Stalin even berated Lenin's wife for breaching Politburo orders by helping Lenin communicate with others on public matters. Stalin's attack on his wife angered LeninKamenev.<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. 112236</ref>

As the relationship between Lenin and Stalin deteriorated, Lenin dictated his Testament. This Testament was, in effect, his analysis officially the leader of the current Bolshevik PartCommunist party, but to many in the future of the Revolution and an indictment of Stalin's character. In the TestamentParty, Stalin he was castigated and denounced as self-serving and focused only on amassing personal powera figurehead. Lenin called for the removal of Stalin Many dismissed him as General Secretary. Before Lenin could publish the Testament, he suffered a heart attack nonentity and was paralyzeda political figure of no real substance. Many prominent Bolsheviks had always underestimated Stalin received the Testament from one of Lenin’s secretaries, who because he was actually his agentnot well educated. Stalin repressed Lenin’s criticism Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev all saw themselves as the logical choice as the successor of himLenin. If the Testament had come to light Stalin’s career would have been finished.<ref>Read, p 234</ref>

Allies of However, they were not as popular as they believed, and that Stalin colluded to repress all mention of was very popular with the document. Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21st, 1924ordinary Party member. Stalin was given shrewd enough not to appear to be seeking the honor leadership of organizing the official funeralParty. He organized the funeral Furthermore, Stalin publically denounced Kamenev and ignored Lenin’s final wishesZinoviev when they tried to involve him in a conspiracy against Trotsky in 1925. That left Stalin also gave an oration at and Trotsky as the sole contenders for the funeralleadership role.<ref> Felshtinsky, despite the opposition of Lenin’s windowYuri. <i>[https://www.amazon. Stalin under the rules of the Party was now the decom/gp/product/1929631952/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1929631952&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-facto successor of 20&linkId=8e5c4b8740fbfc8f691fb6ae90aae02b 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 Kamenev.His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–1924]<ref/i>Read. Enigma Books, 2000), p. 236201</ref>

===Stalin’s Rise When did Stalin come to Poweras 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 was officially would emerge as the unquestioned leader of the Communist partySoviet, but first, he had to many in eliminate Trotsky from the Party, he was only a figureheadcompetition. Many dismissed him as a nonentity The rivalry between Trotsky and a political figure of no real substance. Stalin was personal because both men had always been underestimated by many prominent Bolsheviks because he was not well educatedradically different views on Communism's nature. TrotskyMore importantly, Kamenev, and Zinoviev all saw themselves as they held antithetical ideas on the logical choice as future of the successor of Leninworldwide Communist revolt. HoweverInfluenced by Marx, they were not as popular as they the Bolsheviks believed and that Stalin was very popular with the ordinary Party member. Stalin there was shrewd enough not to appear going to be seeking the leadership of the 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> 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=dailyh0cworld-20&linkId=8e5c4b8740fbfc8f691fb6ae90aae02b Lenin and His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–1924]</i>. Enigma Books, 2000), pwide Communist Revolution. 201</ref>

===Socialism in One Country===The rivalry between Trotsky and Stalin was not only a personal. Both men had different views on the nature of Communism and more importantly 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 to him many like-minded Party membersto Stalin, especially the rank and file and this put him . 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 and this made Trotsky unpopular. By 1927, Stalin was so powerful that he could force Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinoviev from the Politburo and later expelled from the Bolshevik Party. Trotsky was forced into exile and eventually later settled in Mexico.

===Consolidating His Rule===By 1927Another factor, Stalin was in the unquestioned ruler growing isolation of the Soviet Union. His had filled the administration of the Party with people who were loyal to him. IncreasinglyLeon Trotsky, Stalin appointed despite his loyalists to achievements during the Politburo. Many of Lenin’s former lieutenants realized that Stalin Russian Civil War, 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 Politburohis Jewish heritage.<ref> Felshtinsky, p. 204203</ref> He opposed Stalin’s policy of the rapid industrialization of the Soviet Union and called for the gradual introduction There was a great deal of industrialization. Stalin prevailed and later he had Bukharin expelled. All those who had crossed Stalin antisemitism in some way were to be murdered on his ordersRussian, which made Trotsky unpopular. Some years laterBy 1927, Stalin sent an assassin to murder was so powerful that he could force Trotsky. He was later killed by a Soviet Agent with an ice pick. , Kamenev, Bukharin, and Zinoviev were all from the Politburo and later put on trial, in a show trial and executed, on expelled them from the trumped charges of plotting against the stateBolshevik Party. Lenin’s widow also died Trotsky was forced into exile and eventually later settled in suspicious circumstance and many believed that she was poisoned on Stalin’s orders.<ref>Read, pMexico. 235</ref>

===Conclusion===By 1928, How did Stalin was the undisputed ruler of Consolidate His Power in the Soviet Union. In 1920, he managed to achieve this despite the opposition of Lenin and many of the senior leaders in the Party. 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 up his power base in the country. Stalin was also generally popular among 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 of the party.{{Mediawiki:Amazon student}}? ==<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}}

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====