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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>

However, == How did Stalin was to make his reputation in become General Secretary of the Bolshevik Party after the Russian Revolution? ==Historians have often argued that the Russian Civil War. He was appointed as a Political Commissar to several Generals and ensured that they were loyal to won for the Bolsheviksby the revolutionary Leo Trotsky. EventuallyThis interpretation is now believed to be an exaggeration of Trotsky's role. However, he was given Trotsky did play a military command and brutally suppressed significant role in the Soviet's victory over the White Counter-Revolutionaries 's in the Civil War and bandits. He was also instrumental a significant figure in the Communist PARTY and rivaled Lenin in conquering his native Georgia, which had declared itself to be independentprestige. Stalin Lenin was later appointed to the army in the Ukraine worried about Trotsky's influence, and he helped employed Stalin to push back build up a Polish invasionbase of support for him. Stalin did this but also, howeverat the same time, he was criticized for not defeating the Poles completely and exporting the revolution built up a body of supporters that were loyal to that country and elsewhere him in Europe.<ref>Montefiore, pthe Party. 118</ref>

====Stalin as General Secretary of the Bolshevik Party====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 figure in the Communist PARTY 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 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 the Stalin's 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>

====How did Stalin become Lenin and Stalin=='s potential heir? ==[[File: 650px-JStalin Secretary general CCCP 1942 flippedLenin_and_stalin_crop.jpg |left|thumbnail| left250px|Lenin and Stalin as General Secretaryin Gorki, 1922]]After the Revolution, Lenin held the power in the new country. However, in 1922, after surgery, he had a stroke , and he was never the same. The stroke weakened Lenin was physically weakened , 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. Stalin, the General Secretary of the Communist Party, was one of the few people who still 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 him, 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 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 the relationship between Lenin and Stalin deteriorated, Lenin dictated his Testament. This Testament was, in effect, his analysis the General Secretary of the current Bolshevik PartCommunist Party, the future was one of the Revolution and an indictment of few people who still had access. Stalin's character. In used his position to cut Lenin off from the Testament, Stalin was castigated party and denounced effectively to isolate him. He knew that Lenin’s disliked him because Lenin perceived him as self-serving cruel and focused only on amassing personal powerauthoritarian. Stalin even berated Lenin called 's wife for the removal of breaching Politburo orders by helping Lenin communicate with others on public matters. Stalin as General Secretary. Before 's attack on his wife angered Lenin could publish the Testament, he suffered a heart attack and was paralyzed. Stalin received the Testament from one of Lenin’s secretaries<ref>Read, who was actually his agentChristopher. Stalin repressed Lenin’s criticism of him<i>[https://www. If the Testament had come to light Stalin’s career would have been finishedamazon.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]<ref/i>Read(London: Routledge, 2005), p 234. 112</ref>

Allies of As the relationship between Lenin and Stalin colluded to repress all mention deteriorated, Lenin dictated his Testament. This Testament was, in effect, his analysis of the document. Lenin died current Bolshevik Party, the future of a suspected stroke on January 21stthe Revolution, 1924and an indictment of Stalin's character. In the Testament, Stalin was given castigated and denounced as self-serving and focused only on amassing personal power. Lenin called for the honor removal of organizing the official funeralStalin as General Secretary. He organized Before Lenin could publish the funeral Testament, he suffered a heart attack and ignored Lenin’s final wisheswas paralyzed. Stalin also gave an oration at the funeral, despite received the opposition Testament from one of Lenin’s windowsecretaries, who was his agent. Stalin under the rules repressed Lenin’s criticism of the Party was now the de-facto successor of Leninhim. However, If the party was not under his control, he Testament had come to share power with a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotskylight, Zinoviev and KamenevStalin’s career would have been finished.<ref>Read, p234</ref> Allies of Stalin colluded to repress all mention of the document. 236Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21st, 1924. <dh-ad/ref>

===Stalin’s Rise to Power=How did Stalin eliminate his competitors for control of the Soviet Union?==After Lenin's death, Stalin was officially given the leader honor of organizing the Communist party, but to many in official funeral. He arranged the Party, he was only a figureheadfuneral and ignored Lenin’s final wishes. Many dismissed him as Stalin also gave a nonentity and a political figure speech at the funeral, despite the opposition of no real substanceLenin’s window. Stalin had always been underestimated by many prominent Bolsheviks because he was not well educated. Trotsky, Kamenevunder the rules of the Party, and Zinoviev all saw themselves as the logical choice as was now the de-facto successor of Lenin. However, they were not as popular as they believed and that Stalin was very popular with the ordinary Party member. Stalin party was shrewd enough not fully under his control. He had to appear to be seeking the leadership share power with a collection of the Party. Furthermoreother Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, 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 roleKamenev.<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)Read, p. 201236</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 officially the future leader of the worldwide Communist revolt. Influenced by Marxparty, but to many in the BolsheviksParty, believed that there he was going to be only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity and a world-wide Communist Revolutionpolitical figure of no real substance. Many prominent Bolsheviks had always underestimated Stalin began advocating "Socialism in One Countrybecause he was not well educated. Trotsky, Kamenev," which says that and Zinoviev all saw themselves as the Bolsheviks should focus building communism in logical choice as the countries they already controlled rather than spreading the revolution. This drew to him many like-minded Party members, especially the rank and file and this put him in ideological opposition to Trotsky.<ref> Felshtinsky, psuccessor of Lenin. 202</ref>

The Party accepted Stalin’s position However, they were not as popular as they believed, and this meant that Trotsky Stalin was increasingly marginalizedvery popular with the ordinary Party member. He then decided Stalin was shrewd enough not to organize public protests, along with others, against Stalin’s growing control appear to be seeking the leadership of the Party. HoweverFurthermore, Stalin, employed publically denounced Kamenev and Zinoviev when they tried to involve him in a law passed by Lenin, ordering unity conspiracy against Trotsky in the Party1925. That left Stalin asserted that Trotsky, was trying to split the party and this ploy managed to sideline Trotsky even further. Another factor, in as the growing isolation of Leon Trotsky, despite his achievements during sole contenders for the Russian Civil War, was his Jewish heritageleadership role.<ref> Felshtinsky, pYuri. 203<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> There was a great deal of antisemitism in Russian and this made Trotsky unpopular. By 1927Enigma Books, Stalin was so powerful that he could force Trotsky2000), Kamenev and Zinoviev from the Politburo and later expelled from the Bolshevik Party. Trotsky was forced into exile and eventually later settled in Mexicop. 201</ref>

====Consolidating His Rule====By 1927, When did Stalin was come to Power as the unquestioned ruler Ruler of the Soviet Union. His had filled the administration of the Party with people who were loyal to him. Increasingly, ? ==[[File:Stalin appointed his loyalists to the Politburo-Bukharin. Many of Lenin’s former lieutenants realized that jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|Stalin was making himself a de-facto dictator. and Bukharin was something of a darling in the Party. He was handsome, charismatic 1928]]Trotsky and a favorite Stalin began to vie against each other for control of Lenin. He led the opposition to Stalin Soviet Union in the Politburo1925.<ref> FelshtinskyBy 1927, p. 204</ref> He opposed Stalin’s policy of Stalin would emerge as the rapid industrialization unquestioned leader of the Soviet Union and called for the gradual introduction of industrialization. Stalin prevailed and later , but first, he had Bukharin expelled. All those who had crossed Stalin in some way were to be murdered on his orderseliminate Trotsky from the competition. Some years later, The rivalry between Trotsky and Stalin sent an assassin to murder Trotsky. He was later killed by a Soviet Agent with an ice pickpersonal because both men had radically different views on Communism's nature. Kamenev, Bukharin, and Zinoviev were all later put on trial, in a show trial and executedMore importantly, they held antithetical ideas on the trumped charges future of plotting against the stateworldwide Communist revolt. Lenin’s widow also died in suspicious circumstance and many Influenced by Marx, the Bolsheviks believed that she there was poisoned on Stalin’s orders.<ref>Read, pgoing to be a world-wide Communist Revolution. 235</ref>

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%'>==Conclusion==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 the Lenin's opposition of Lenin and many of the Party's 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 a power base in the country. Stalin was also generally popular among the ordinary Party Members members, and this was crucialto his success. This meant that he had Stalin effectively built a powerful and influential following and this , which allowed him to build up his power and influence until he was in take total control of the Soviet Uniongradually.