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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-PenguinRoutledge, 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 and Russian Civil WarWhat was Stalin’s Early Life like? ==[[File:Russian_Revolution_of_1917.jpg|thumbnail|300px|Bolshevik troops in red Square]]By 1917, Joseph Stalin was in St. Petersburg, which was soon to be renamed Petrograd. This was the capital future leader of the revolutionary government that had seized power from Soviet Union, often referred to as the ‘Red Tsar ,' was born on 18 December 1878 to a Georgian cobbler in Gori, Georgia, and his government wife in February 1917a small, impoverished village. The Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky His real name was becoming unpopular despite ending the rule Josef Besarionis de Jughashvili. <ref> Boobyear, p. 111</ref> He was ethnically Georgian, but Georgia was part of the Romanov’sTsarist Russian Empire. They had failed After leaving school, Stalin went to end a seminary. Instead of studying theology and the war Bible, he embraced Marxism and to redistributed land to became a follower of Vladimir Lenin, the Russian peasantsrevolutionary Bolshevik Party leader. <ref> MontefioreConquest, Simon SebagRobert. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/14000767810140169539/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=14000767810140169539&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8d302940930c5b356ba181d00bc19d29 78415985f069f734b98307b00183a2dd Stalin: The Court Breaker of the Red TsarNations]''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson(Viking-Penguin, Hammondsworth, 20031999), p. 117112</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 and land to Stalin soon joined the war weary Bolshevik movement and starving population. Their message made them was very popular and active in October 1917violent attacks on the Tsarist government. He was a notorious bank robber, they stormed and he committed these robberies to subvert the Winter Place Tsarist government and declared that fund the revolution. After being placed under surveillance by Russian Empire was now secret police, the Soviet UnionOhrakan, for his activities, he went underground.<ref>MontefioreConquest, p. 11178</ref> The exact role He became one of Stalin the Bolsheviks' leaders in the Bolshevik Revolution is not known Caucasus, organizing paramilitaries and taking part in a terrorist campaign in any great detailthe region. In later propaganda, Stalin He was presented involved in posters and other images as being by Lenin’s side during the Revolutionnotorious Tiflis bank robbery, where 40 people were killed. In fact, it seemed that Stalin only played a minor role in This robbery raised his standing among the RevolutionBolshevik leadership.<ref>MontefioreConquest, p. 11387 </ref>

However, Stalin was to make his reputation in the Russian Civil War. He was appointed as a Political Commissar to several Generals captured and ensured that they were loyal exiled to the Bolsheviks. EventuallySiberia numerous times, but usually, he was given a military command and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries and banditsescaped. He eventually became one of Vladimir Lenin's closest associates, or so he was also instrumental in conquering his native Georgialater to claim vigorously, which had declared itself to be independent. Stalin was later appointed helped him rise to the army in heights of power after the Ukraine and Russian Revolution. In 1910 he helped changed his name to push back a Polish invasionStalin, however, he was criticized for not defeating meaning in Russian ‘Man of Steel’ supposedly adopted to protect his real identity from the Poles completely police and exporting the revolution perhaps also to that country and elsewhere in Europecreate a public image as a true revolutionary.<ref>MontefioreBoobyear, p. 118134</ref>

== What was Stalin as General Secretary of 's role during the Bolshevik PartyOctober Revolution and Russian Civil War? ==It has often been argued that the Russian Civil War [[File:Russian_Revolution_of_1917.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Bolshevik troops in Red Square]]By 1917, Stalin was won for the Bolsheviks by the revolutionary Leo Trotskyin St. This interpretation is now believed Petersburg, which was soon to be an exaggeration of Trotsky's rolerenamed Petrograd. However, Trotsky, did play a significant role in This city was the Sovietrevolutionary government's victory over capital that had seized power from [[Why did the White's Russian Romanov Dynasty collapse in 1917? |the Civil War Tsar]] and was a very important figure his government in the Communist PARTY and rivaled Lenin in prestigeFebruary 1917. Lenin The Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky was worried about becoming unpopular despite ending the influence rule of Trotsky the Romanov’s. They had failed to end the war and he employed Stalin to build up a base of support for himredistributed 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 did this but also at : The Court of the same timeRed Tsar]''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2003), built up p. 117</ref> The Bolsheviks skillfully adopted a body policy of supporters that were loyal promising peace and land to him in the Partywar-weary and starving population. In 1921Their message made them very popular, Stalin and in October 1917, they stormed the Winter Place and declared that the Russian Empire was appointed to now the position of General SecretarySoviet Union. This gave him great power in the Party<ref>Montefiore, p. 111</ref>Stalin created a network of supporters 's role in the PartyBolshevik Revolution is unknown. Lenin became suspicious of Stalin was presented in posters and was beginning to mistrust his former protégée. In particular, Lenin disliked other images in later propaganda as being by Lenin’s side during the brutal methods of Stalin in his native Georgia, where he brutally repressed those who opposed BolshevismRevolution. Despite Lenin’s doubtsStill, Stalin began appears to grow popular with the rank and file Party members. Unlike Lenin and Trotsky, he was not an intellectual and had have played only a minor role in the common touch and he was well-liked by manyRevolution.<ref> ConquestMontefiore, p. 114113</ref>

==Lenin and Stalin==[[File: 650px-JStalin Secretary general CCCP 1942 flipped.jpg |thumbnail| Stalin as General Secretary]]Ultimate power lay with Lenin. However, in 1922, after surgery, he had a strokeStalin made his reputation during the Russian Civil War. He was never the same again and he was physically weakened appointed as a Political Commissar to several Generals and many feared ensured that he would not have long they were loyal to livethe Bolsheviks. Lenin Eventually, he was largely confined to given a country retreat, cut off from politicsmilitary command and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries and bandits. The ruling council of the Bolshevik Party, the Politburo, ordered that Lenin did not involve himself He was also instrumental in politics or in public affairs but concentrate on conquering his recovery. Stalin as General Secretary of the Communist Party was one of the few people who native Georgia, which had access declared itself to himbe independent. Stalin used his position was later appointed to cut Lenin off from the party Ukraine army, and effectively he helped to isolate himpush back a Polish invasion. He had become aware of Lenin’s dislike of Stalin However, he was criticized for not routing the Poles and exporting the revolution to that he believed that he was too cruel country 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, Christopherelsewhere in Europe. <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)Montefiore, p. 112118</ref>

As the relationship between Lenin and == How did Stalin deteriorated, Lenin dictated his testament. This was in effect his ideas analysis become General Secretary of the current Bolshevik Part, Party after the Russian Revolution? ==Historians have often argued that the future of Russian Civil War was won for the Revolution and especially on Bolsheviks by the character revolutionary Leo Trotsky. This interpretation is now believed to be an exaggeration of StalinTrotsky's role. In the testamentHowever, Stalin was castigated and denounced as self-serving and seeking to amass personal power Trotsky did play a significant role in the part. Lenin called for Soviet's victory over the removal of Stalin as General Secretary. Before Lenin could publish White's in the testament, he suffered Civil War and was a heart attack significant figure in the Communist PARTY and was paralyzedrivaled Lenin in prestige. Stalin received the testament from one of Lenin’s secretaries, who Lenin was actually his agent. Stalin repressed Lenin’s criticism of him if it had come to light Stalin’s career would have been finished.<ref>Readworried about Trotsky's influence, p 234</ref> Late allies of and he employed Stalin colluded to repress all mention of the document. Lenin died of build up a suspected stroke on January 21st, 1924. Stalin was given the honor base of organizing the official funeral. He organized the funeral and ignored Lenin’s final wishessupport for him. Stalin did this but also gave an oration , at the funeralsame time, despite the opposition of Lenin’s window. Stalin under the rules built up a body of supporters that were loyal to him in the Party was now the de-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 Kamenev.<ref>Read, p. 236</ref>

==Stalin’s rise to PowerHow did Stalin become Lenin's potential heir? ==[[File:Lenin_and_stalin_crop.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|Lenin and Stalin was officially in Gorki, 1922]]After the leader of Revolution, Lenin held power in the Communist partynew country. However, but to many in the Party1922, after surgery, he was only had a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity stroke, and that he was not a political figure of real substancenever the same. Stalin had always been underestimated by The stroke weakened Lenin, and many prominent Bolsheviks because feared that he was would not well educatedhave long to live. 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 was largely confined to a country retreat and that Stalin was very popular with the ordinary Party membercut off from politics. Stalin was shrewd enough not to appear to be seeking the leadership The ruling council of the Bolshevik 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> FelshtinskyPolitburo, 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 ordered Lenin to avoid and His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–1924]</i>. Enigma Books, 2000), pconcentrate on his recovery. 201</ref>

==Socialism in One Country==The rivalry between Trotsky and Stalin was not only a personal rivalry. Both men had different views on , the nature General Secretary of Communism and more importantly different ideas on the future of the worldwide Communist revolution. Influenced by MarxParty, was one of the Bolsheviks, believed that there was going to be a world-wide Communist Revolutionfew people who still had access. 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 revolution. This drew used his position to him many like-minded Party members, especially cut Lenin off from the rank party and file and this put effectively to isolate him in ideological opposition to Trotsky.<ref> Felshtinsky, p. 202</ref> The Part accepted Stalin’s position He knew that Lenin’s disliked him because Lenin perceived him as cruel and this meant that Trotsky was increasingly marginalizedauthoritarian. He then decided to organize public protests, along with others, against Stalin’s growing control of the Party. However, Stalin, employed a law passed even berated Lenin's wife for breaching Politburo orders by helping Lenin, ordering unity in the Partycommunicate with others on public matters. 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 's attack on his achievements during the Russian Civil War, was that fact that he was Jewishwife angered Lenin.<ref> FelshtinskyRead, pChristopher. 203<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> There was a great deal of antisemitism in Russian and this made Trotsky unpopular. By 1927(London: Routledge, Stalin was so powerful that he could force Trotsky2005), Kamenev and Zinoviev from the Politburo and later expelled from the Bolshevik Party. Trotsky was forced into exile and eventually later settled in Mexicop. 112</ref>

==Consolidating His Rule==By 1927As the relationship between Lenin and Stalin deteriorated, Stalin Lenin dictated his Testament. This Testament was the unquestioned ruler , in effect, his analysis of the Soviet Union. His had filled current Bolshevik Party, the administration future of the Party with people who were loyal to him. IncreasinglyRevolution, and an indictment of Stalin appointed his loyalists to 's character. In the Politburo. Many of Lenin’s former lieutenants realized that Testament, Stalin was making himself a decastigated and denounced as self-facto dictatorserving and focused only on amassing personal power. Bukharin was something Lenin called for the removal of Stalin as General Secretary. Before Lenin could publish the Testament, he suffered a darling in heart attack and was paralyzed. Stalin received the PartyTestament from one of Lenin’s secretaries, who was his agent. He was handsome, charismatic and a favorite Stalin repressed Lenin’s criticism of Leninhim. He led If the opposition Testament had come to Stalin in the Politburolight, Stalin’s career would have been finished.<ref> FelshtinskyRead, p. 204234</ref> He opposed Stalin’s policy of the rapid industrialization of the Soviet Union and called for the gradual introduction Allies 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 colluded to murder Trotsky. He was later killed by a Soviet Agent with an ice pick. Kamenev, Bukharin, and Zinoviev were repress all later put on trial, in a show trial and executed, on the trumped charges mention of plotting against the statedocument. Lenin’s widow also Lenin died in suspicious circumstance and many believed that she was poisoned of a suspected stroke on Stalin’s orders.<ref>ReadJanuary 21st, p1924. 235<dh-ad/ref>

==ConclusionHow did Stalin eliminate his competitors for control of the Soviet Union?==By 1928After Lenin's death, Stalin was given the undisputed ruler honor of organizing the official funeral. He arranged the Soviet Unionfuneral and ignored Lenin’s final wishes. In 1920Stalin also gave a speech at the funeral, he managed to achieve this despite the opposition of Lenin and many Lenin’s window. Stalin, under the rules of the senior leaders in the Party. He , was widely seen as an uneducated peasantnow the de-facto successor of Lenin. 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 party was also generally popular among the ordinary Party Members and this was crucialnot fully under his control. This meant that he He had a powerful and influential following and this allowed him to build up his share power with a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev, and influence until he was in total control of the partyKamenev.<ref>Read, p.236</ref>

Stalin was officially the leader of the Communist party, but to many in the Party, he was only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity and a political figure of no real substance. Many prominent Bolsheviks had always underestimated Stalin because he was not well educated. 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 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====