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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> == 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.  Stalin, the General Secretary of the Communist Party, was one of the few people who still had access. 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>

HoweverAs the relationship between Lenin and Stalin deteriorated, Stalin Lenin dictated his Testament. This Testament was to make , in effect, his reputation in analysis of the current Bolshevik Party, the future of the Russian Civil WarRevolution, and an indictment of Stalin's character. He In the Testament, Stalin was appointed castigated and denounced as a Political Commissar to several Generals self-serving and ensured that they were loyal to focused only on amassing personal power. Lenin called for the Bolsheviksremoval of Stalin as General Secretary. EventuallyBefore Lenin could publish the Testament, he was given suffered a military command heart attack and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries and banditswas paralyzed. He Stalin received the Testament from one of Lenin’s secretaries, who was also instrumental in conquering his native Georgia, which had declared itself to be independentagent. Stalin was later appointed to repressed Lenin’s criticism of him. If the army in the Ukraine and he helped Testament had come to push back a Polish invasionlight, however, he was criticized for not defeating the Poles completely and exporting the revolution to that country and elsewhere in EuropeStalin’s career would have been finished.<ref>MontefioreRead, p234</ref> Allies of Stalin colluded to repress all mention of the document. 118Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21st, 1924. <dh-ad/ref>

====How did Stalin as General Secretary eliminate his competitors for control of the Bolshevik Party==Soviet Union?==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 TrotskyAfter Lenin's role. Howeverdeath, Trotsky, did play a significant role in Stalin was given the Soviet's victory over the White's in honor of organizing the Civil War and was a very important figure in the Communist PARTY and rivaled Lenin in prestigeofficial funeral. Lenin was worried about He arranged the influence of Trotsky funeral and he employed Stalin to build up a base of support for himignored Lenin’s final wishes. Stalin did this but also gave a speech at the same timefuneral, built up a body despite the opposition of supporters that were loyal to him in the PartyLenin’s window. In 1921Stalin, Stalin was appointed to under the position rules of General Secretary. This gave him great power in the Party. Stalin created a network , was now the de-facto successor of supporters in the Party. Lenin became suspicious of Stalin and was beginning to mistrust his former protégée. In particularHowever, Lenin disliked the brutal methods of Stalin in party was not fully under his native Georgia, where he brutally repressed those who opposed Bolshevismcontrol. Despite Lenin’s doubts, Stalin began He had to grow popular share power with the rank and file Party members. Unlike Lenin and a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, he was not an intellectual Zinoviev, and had the common touch and he was well-liked by manyKamenev.<ref> ConquestRead, p. 114236</ref>

====Lenin and Stalin====[[File: 650px-JStalin Secretary general CCCP 1942 flipped.jpg |thumbnail| left|Stalin as General Secretary]]After was officially the leader of the RevolutionCommunist party, Lenin held the power but to many in the new country. However, in 1922, after surgeryParty, he had was only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a stroke nonentity and a political figure of no real substance. Many prominent Bolsheviks had always underestimated Stalin because he was never the same. 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 politicswell educated. The ruling council of the Bolshevik PartyTrotsky, the PolitburoKamenev, ordered Lenin to avoid and concentrate on his recovery. Stalin, Zinoviev all saw themselves as the General Secretary of logical choice as the Communist Party, was one successor 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 However, they were not as popular as they believed, and that Stalin deteriorated, Lenin dictated his Testamentwas very popular with the ordinary Party member. This Testament Stalin was, in effect, his analysis of the current Bolshevik Part, shrewd enough not to appear to be seeking the future leadership of the Revolution and an indictment of Stalin's characterParty. In the TestamentFurthermore, Stalin was castigated and publically denounced as self-serving Kamenev and focused only on amassing personal powerZinoviev when they tried to involve him in a conspiracy against Trotsky in 1925. Lenin called for the removal of That left Stalin and Trotsky as General Secretary. Before Lenin could publish the Testament, he suffered a heart attack and was paralyzedsole contenders for the leadership role. Stalin received the Testament from one of Lenin’s secretaries<ref> Felshtinsky, who was actually his agentYuri. 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/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]<ref/i>Read. Enigma Books, 2000), p 234. 201</ref>

Allies == When did Stalin come to Power as the Ruler of the Soviet Union? ==[[File:Stalin-Bukharin.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|Stalin colluded and Bukharin in 1928]]Trotsky and Stalin began to repress all mention vie against each other for control of the documentSoviet Union in 1925. Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21stBy 1927, 1924. Stalin was given would emerge as the honor unquestioned leader of organizing the official funeralSoviet, but first, he had to eliminate Trotsky from the competition. He organized the funeral The rivalry between Trotsky and ignored Lenin’s final wishesStalin was personal because both men had radically different views on Communism's nature. Stalin also gave an oration at the funeralMore importantly, despite they held antithetical ideas on the opposition of Lenin’s window. Stalin under the rules future of the Party was now the de-facto successor of Leninworldwide Communist revolt. HoweverInfluenced by Marx, the party Bolsheviks believed that there was not under his control, he had going to share power with be a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev.<ref>Read, pworld-wide Communist Revolution. 236</ref>

===Stalin’s Rise to Power===Stalin was officially the leader of the Communist partybegan advocating "Socialism in One Country, but to many in " which says that the Party, he was only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity and a political figure of no real substance. Stalin had always been underestimated by many prominent Bolsheviks because he was not well educated. Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev all saw themselves as should focus on building communism in the logical choice as countries they already controlled rather than spreading the successor of Leninrevolution. However, they were not as popular as they believed and that Stalin was very popular with the ordinary This view drew many like-minded Party member. members to Stalin was shrewd enough not to appear to be seeking the leadership of , especially the Party. Furthermore, he publically denounced Kamenev rank and Zinoviev, when they tried to involve him in a conspiracy against Trotsky in 1925file. This only left Stalin and placed himself in ideological opposition to 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. 201202</ref>

====Socialism in One Country====The rivalry between Party accepted Stalin’s position, and this meant that Trotsky and Stalin was not only a personalincreasingly marginalized. Both men had different views on the nature of Communism and more importantly antithetical ideas on the future He then decided to organize public protests, along with others, against Stalin’s growing control of the worldwide Communist revoltParty. Influenced However, Stalin employed a law passed by MarxLenin, ordering unity in the Bolsheviks, believed Party. Stalin asserted that there Trotsky was going trying to be a world-wide Communist Revolution. Stalin began advocating "Socialism in One Country," which says that split the Bolsheviks should focus building communism in the countries they already controlled rather than spreading the revolution. This drew to him many like-minded Party membersparty, especially the rank and file and this put him in ideological opposition ploy managed to sideline Trotskyeven further.<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 , 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.

====Consolidating His Rule====By 1927, Stalin was the unquestioned ruler of the Soviet Union. His had filled the administration of the Party with people who were loyal to him. Increasinglyprevailed, 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> Felshtinskylater, 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. He was A Soviet Agent later killed by a Soviet Agent 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 circumstance 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.

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