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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 usurp all of the Communist Party. Stalin translated these strengths into total control 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 this unprecedented level of power as the ‘Red Tsar', was born on 18 December 1878 to a Georgian cobbler in Gori, Georgia result of 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 was able to 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>

====Stalin’s Early Life====Joseph Stalin, the future leader of the Soviet Union, often referred to as the ‘Red Tsar,' was born on 18 December 1878 to a Georgian cobbler in Gori, Georgia and his wife in a small, impoverished village. His real name was Josef Besarionis de Jughashvili. <ref> Boobyear, p. 111</ref> He was ethnically Georgian, but Georgia was part of the Tsarist Russian Empire. After leaving school, Stalin went to a seminary. Instead of studying theology and the Bible, he embraced Marxism and became a follower of Vladimir Lenin, leader of the revolutionary Bolshevik Party.<ref> 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), p. 112</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 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 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 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 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 as being by Lenin’s side during the Revolution. In fact, it seemed that but 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 army in Ukraine, 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> ====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 significant 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 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 Stalin====[[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.  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 of the current Bolshevik Part, the future of the Revolution and an indictment of Stalin's character. In the Testament, Stalin was castigated and denounced as self-serving and focused only on amassing personal power. Lenin called for the removal of Stalin as General Secretary. Before Lenin could publish the Testament, he suffered a heart attack and was paralyzed. Stalin received the Testament from one of Lenin’s secretaries, who was his agent. Stalin repressed Lenin’s criticism of him. If the Testament had come to light Stalin’s career would have been finished.<ref>Read, p 234</ref>  <dh-ad/>

However, Allies of Stalin was colluded to make his reputation in repress all mention of the Russian Civil Wardocument. He was appointed as Lenin died of a Political Commissar to several Generals and ensured that they were loyal to the Bolshevikssuspected stroke on January 21st, 1924. Eventually, he Stalin was given a military command and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries the honor of organizing the official funeral. He arranged the funeral and banditsignored Lenin’s final wishes. He was Stalin also instrumental in conquering his native Georgiagave an oration at the funeral, which had declared itself to be independentdespite the opposition of Lenin’s window. Stalin under the rules of the Party was later appointed to now the army in de-facto successor of Lenin. However, the Ukraine and party was not under his control, he helped had to push back share power with a Polish invasioncollection of other Soviet leaders, howeverincluding Trotsky, he was criticized for not defeating the Poles completely and exporting the revolution to that country Zinoviev and elsewhere in EuropeKamenev.<ref>MontefioreRead, p. 118236</ref>

===Stalin as General Secretary of the Bolshevik Party=Stalin’s Rise to Power====Historians have often argued that the Russian Civil War Stalin was won for officially the Bolsheviks by leader of the revolutionary Leo Trotsky. This interpretation is now believed Communist party, but to be an exaggeration of Trotsky's rolemany in the Party, he was only a figurehead. However, Trotsky, did play Many dismissed him as a significant role in the Soviet's victory over the White's in the Civil War nonentity and was a very important political figure in the Communist PARTY and rivaled Lenin in prestigeof no real substance. Lenin Many prominent Bolsheviks had always underestimated Stalin because he was worried about the influence of not well educated. Trotsky , Kamenev, and he employed Stalin to build up a base Zinoviev all saw themselves as the logical choice as the successor of support for himLenin. Stalin did this but also at the same timeHowever, built up a body of supporters they were not as popular as they believed and that were loyal to him in Stalin was very popular with the ordinary Partymember. In 1921, Stalin was appointed shrewd enough not to appear to be seeking the position leadership of General Secretary. This gave him great power in the Party. Furthermore, Stalin created publically denounced Kamenev and Zinoviev, when they tried to involve him in a network of supporters conspiracy against Trotsky in the Party1925. Lenin became suspicious of Only Stalin and was beginning to mistrust his former protégéeTrotsky as the sole contenders for the leadership role. In particular<ref> Felshtinsky, Lenin disliked the brutal methods of Stalin in his native Georgia, where he brutally repressed those who opposed BolshevismYuri. <i>[https://www. Despite Lenin’s doubts, Stalin began to grow popular with the rank and file Party membersamazon. Unlike 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 Trotsky, he was not an intellectual and had the common touch and he was well-liked by many.His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–1924]<ref/i> Conquest. Enigma Books, 2000), p. 114201</ref>

===Lenin and Stalin=Socialism in One Country====[[File: 650pxStalin-JStalin Secretary general CCCP 1942 flippedBukharin.jpg |left|thumbnail| left250px|Stalin as General Secretaryand Bukharin in 1928]]After The rivalry between Trotsky and Stalin was not only a personal because both men had radically different views on the Revolutionnature of Communism. More importantly, Lenin they held antithetical ideas on the power in future of the new countryworldwide Communist revolt. HoweverInfluenced by Marx, in 1922, after surgerythe Bolsheviks, he had a stroke and he was never the same. Lenin was physically weakened and many feared believed that he would not have long to live. Lenin there was largely confined going to be a country retreat and cut off from politicsworld-wide Communist Revolution. The ruling council of the Bolshevik PartyStalin began advocating "Socialism in One Country, " which says that the Politburo, ordered Lenin to avoid and concentrate on his recovery. Stalin, Bolsheviks should focus building communism in the General Secretary of countries they already controlled rather than spreading the Communist revolution. This view drew many like-minded Party, was one of the few people who still had access members to him. Stalin used his position to cut Lenin off from , especially the party and effectively to isolate him. He knew that Lenin’s disliked him, because Lenin perceived him as cruel rank and authoritarianfile. 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, Christopherplaced himself in ideological opposition to Trotsky. <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)Felshtinsky, p. 112202</ref>

As the relationship between Lenin The Party accepted Stalin’s position, and Stalin deteriorated, Lenin dictated his Testamentthis meant that Trotsky was increasingly marginalized. This Testament wasHe then decided to organize public protests, in effectalong with others, his analysis against Stalin’s growing control of the current Bolshevik PartParty. However, Stalin, employed a law passed by Lenin, ordering unity in the future of the Revolution and an indictment of Party. Stalin's character. In the Testamentasserted that Trotsky, Stalin was castigated trying to split the party and denounced as self-serving and focused only on amassing personal powerthis ploy managed to sideline Trotsky even further. Lenin called for Another factor, in the removal growing isolation of Stalin as General Secretary. Before Lenin could publish the TestamentLeon Trotsky, he suffered a heart attack and was paralyzed. Stalin received despite his achievements during the Testament from one of Lenin’s secretariesRussian Civil War, who was actually his agent. Stalin repressed Lenin’s criticism of him. If the Testament had come to light Stalin’s career would have been finishedJewish heritage.<ref>ReadFelshtinsky, p 234. 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.

Allies of Stalin colluded to repress all mention of the document. Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21st====Consolidating His Rule====By 1927, 1924. Stalin was given the honor unquestioned ruler of organizing the official funeralSoviet Union. He organized His had filled the administration of the funeral and ignored Lenin’s final wishesParty with people who were loyal to him. Increasingly, Stalin also gave an oration at appointed his loyalists to the funeral, despite the opposition Politburo. Many of Lenin’s window. former lieutenants realized that Stalin under the rules of the Party was now the making himself a de-facto successor dictator. Bukharin was something of Lenina darling in the Party. However, the party He was not under his controlhandsome, he had to share power with charismatic and a collection favorite of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev and KamenevLenin. He led the opposition to Stalin in the Politburo.<ref>ReadFelshtinsky, p. 236204</ref>He opposed Stalin’s policy of the rapid industrialization of the Soviet Union and called for the gradual introduction of industrialization.

===Stalin’s Rise to Power===Stalin was officially the leader of the Communist party, but to many in the Partyprevailed, and later he was only a figureheadhad Bukharin expelled. Many dismissed him as a nonentity and a political figure of no real substanceAll those who had crossed Stalin in some way were to be murdered on his orders. Some years later, Stalin had always been underestimated by many prominent Bolsheviks because he was not well educated. sent an assassin to murder Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev all saw themselves as the logical choice as the successor of Lenin. However, they were not as popular as they believed and that Stalin He was very popular later killed by a Soviet Agent with the ordinary Party memberan ice pick. Stalin was shrewd enough not to appear to be seeking the leadership of the Party. FurthermoreKamenev, Bukharin, he publically denounced Kamenev and Zinovievwere all later put on trial, when they tried to involve him in a conspiracy against Trotsky in 1925. This only left Stalin show trial and Trotsky as executed, on the sole contenders for trumped charges of plotting against the leadership rolestate.<ref> FelshtinskyLenin’s widow also died in suspicious circumstance, Yuriand many believed that she was poisoned on Stalin’s orders. <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. 201235</ref>

===Socialism in One Country=Conclusion====The rivalry between Trotsky and By 1928, Stalin was not only a personalthe undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union. Both men had different views on In 1920, he managed to achieve this despite the nature opposition of Communism Lenin and more importantly antithetical ideas on many of the future of senior leaders in the worldwide Communist revoltParty. Influenced by MarxHe was widely seen as an uneducated peasant. However, the Bolsheviks, believed that there was going he managed to turn this to be a world-wide Communist Revolution. Stalin began advocating "Socialism his advantage and in One Countryhis role as General Secretary," which says that the Bolsheviks should focus building communism he built a power base in the countries they already controlled rather than spreading country. Stalin was also generally popular among the revolution. This drew to him many like-minded ordinary Party membersMembers, especially the rank and file and this put him in ideological opposition was crucial to Trotskyhis success.<ref> Felshtinsky, pStalin effectively built a powerful and influential following which allowed him gradually take total control of the Soviet Union. 202</ref>

===Consolidating His Rule=Suggested Readings====By 1927* Boobbyer, Stalin was the unquestioned ruler of the Soviet UnionPhillip. His had filled the administration of the Party with people who were loyal to him''[https://www. Increasingly, Stalin appointed his loyalists to the Politburoamazon. Many of Lenin’s former lieutenants realized that 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 was making himself a de-facto dictatorEra]'' (Routledge, London, 2000)* Conquest, Robert. Bukharin was something of a darling in the Party''[https://www. He was handsome, charismatic and a favorite of Leninamazon. He led the opposition to com/gp/product/0140169539/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140169539&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=78415985f069f734b98307b00183a2dd Stalin in the Politburo: Breaker of Nations]''.<ref> (Viking-Penguin, Hammondsworth, 1999)* Felshtinsky, pYuri. 204<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> 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 expelledEnigma Books, 2000) * Montefiore, Simon Sebag. ''[https://www. All those who had crossed Stalin in some way were to be murdered on his ordersamazon. Some years later, com/gp/product/1400076781/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400076781&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8d302940930c5b356ba181d00bc19d29 Stalin sent an assassin to murder Trotsky. He was later killed by a Soviet Agent with an ice pick: The Court of the Red Tsar]''. KamenevLondon: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, Bukharin, and Zinoviev were all later put on trial, in a show trial and executed2003)* Read, 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 ordersChristopher.<refi>Read, p[https://www.amazon. 235com/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]</refi>(London: Routledge, 2005)

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====References====