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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 usurp all of the Communist Power that had total control 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 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-Penguin(Routledge, 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 War==Stalin’s Early Life====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. His real name was Josef Besarionis de Jughashvili. The Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky <ref> Boobyear, p. 111</ref> He was ethnically Georgian, but Georgia was becoming unpopular despite ending the rule 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, leader of the Russian peasantsrevolutionary Bolshevik Party. <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. 117</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 skilfully 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 role of Stalin in the Bolshevik Revolution is not known in any great detail. 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 Stalin only played a minor role in the Revolution.<ref>Montefiore, p. 113112</ref>

However, Stalin soon joined the Bolshevik movement and was to make his reputation very active in violent attacks on the Russian Civil WarTsarist government. He was appointed as a Political Commissar notorious bank robber, and he committed these robberies to several Generals subvert the Tsarist government and ensured that they were loyal to fund the Bolsheviksrevolution. Eventually After being placed under surveillance by Russian secret police, the Ohrakan, for his activities, he was given a military command and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries and banditswent underground. He was also instrumental in conquering his native Georgia<ref>Conquest, which had declared itself to be independentp. Stalin was later appointed to 78</ref> He became one of the army Bolsheviks' leaders in the Ukraine Caucasus, organizing paramilitaries, and he helped to push back taking part in a Polish invasion, however, he terrorist campaign in the region. He was criticized for not defeating involved in the Poles completely and exporting notorious Tiflis bank robbery where 40 people were killed. This robbery raised his standing among the revolution to that country and elsewhere in EuropeBolshevik leadership.<ref>MontefioreConquest, p. 11887 </ref>

== Stalin as General Secretary of the Bolshevik Party==It has often been argued that the Russian Civil War was won for the Bolsheviks by the revolutionary Leo Trotskycaptured and exiled to Siberia numerous times, but usually, he escaped. This interpretation is now believed to be an exaggeration He eventually became one of TrotskyVladimir Lenin's role. Howeverclosest associates, Trotsky, did play a significant role in the Soviet's victory over the White's in the Civil War and or so he 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 later to build up a base of support for vigorously claim which helped him. Stalin did this but also at rise to the same time, built up a body heights of supporters that were loyal to him in power after the PartyRussian Revolution. In 1921, Stalin was appointed 1910 he changed his name to the position of General Secretary. This gave him great power in the Party. Stalin created a network of supporters , meaning in the Party. Lenin became suspicious Russian ‘Man of Stalin and was beginning Steel’ supposedly adopted to mistrust protect his former protégée. In particular, Lenin disliked real identity from the brutal methods of Stalin in his native Georgia, where he brutally repressed those who opposed Bolshevism. Despite Lenin’s doubts, Stalin began police and perhaps also 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 manycreate a public image as a true revolutionary.<ref> ConquestBoobyear, p. 114134</ref>

==Lenin ==October Revolution and Stalinthe Russian Civil War====[[File: 650px-JStalin Secretary general CCCP 1942 flippedRussian_Revolution_of_1917.jpg |thumbnail| Stalin as General Secretaryleft|300px|Bolshevik troops in Red Square]]Ultimate power lay with Lenin. HoweverBy 1917, Stalin was in 1922St. Petersburg, after surgery, he had a stroke. He was never the same again and he which was physically weakened and many feared that he would not have long soon to livebe renamed Petrograd. Lenin This city was largely confined to a country retreat, cut off from politics. The ruling council the capital of the Bolshevik Party, the Politburo, ordered revolutionary government that Lenin had seized power from [[Why did not involve himself the Russian Romanov Dynasty collapse in politics or 1917?|the Tsar]] and his government in public affairs but concentrate on his recoveryFebruary 1917. Stalin as General Secretary of The Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky was becoming unpopular despite ending the Communist Party was one rule of the few people who Romanov’s. They had access to him. Stalin used his position failed to cut Lenin off from end the party war and effectively to isolate him. He had become aware of Lenin’s dislike of Stalin and that he believed that he was too cruel and authoritarian. One day, Stalin berated Lenin's wife for breaching Politburo orders by helping Lenin communicate with others on public matters, this angered Leninredistributed land to the Russian peasants.<ref>ReadMontefiore, ChristopherSimon Sebag. <i>''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/04152064991400076781/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=04152064991400076781&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d05be7a646c17cc922f1ffe49958037b Lenin8d302940930c5b356ba181d00bc19d29 Stalin: A Revolutionary LifeThe Court of the Red Tsar]</i> (''. London: RoutledgeWeidenfeld & Nicolson, 20052003), p. 112117</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>Stalin's role in the Bolshevik Revolution is unknown. In later propaganda, Stalin was presented in posters and other images as being by Lenin’s side during the Revolution, but Stalin appears to have played only a minor role in the Revolution. <ref>Montefiore, p. 113</ref>

As the relationship between Lenin and However, Stalin deteriorated, Lenin dictated his testament. This was in effect made his ideas analysis of the current Bolshevik Part, the future of the Revolution and especially on reputation during the character of StalinRussian Civil War. In the testament, Stalin He was castigated and denounced appointed as self-serving a Political Commissar to several Generals and seeking ensured that they were loyal to amass personal power in the part. Lenin called for the removal of Stalin as General SecretaryBolsheviks. Before Lenin could publish the testamentEventually, he suffered was given a heart attack military command and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries and was paralyzedbandits. Stalin received the testament from one of Lenin’s secretaries, who He was actually also instrumental in conquering his agent. Stalin repressed Lenin’s criticism of him if it native Georgia, which had come declared itself to light Stalin’s career would have been finishedbe independent.<ref>Read, p 234</ref> Late allies of Stalin colluded was later appointed to repress all mention of the document. Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21starmy in Ukraine, 1924. Stalin was given the honor of organizing the official funeral. He organized the funeral and ignored Lenin’s final wishes. Stalin also gave an oration at the funeral, despite the opposition of Lenin’s windowhe helped to push back a Polish invasion. Stalin under the rules of the Party was now the de-facto successor of Lenin. However, the party he was criticized for not under his control, he had routing the Poles and exporting the revolution to share power with a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev that country and Kamenevelsewhere in Europe.<ref>ReadMontefiore, p. 236118</ref>

==Stalin’s rise to Power==Lenin and Stalin====[[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 few people who still had access to be a world-wide Communist Revolutionhim. 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 1927, As the relationship between Lenin and Stalin was the unquestioned ruler of the Soviet Union. His had filled the administration of the Party with people who were loyal to him. Increasinglydeteriorated, Stalin appointed Lenin dictated his loyalists to the Politburo. Many of Lenin’s former lieutenants realized that Stalin was making himself a de-facto dictatorTestament. Bukharin This Testament was something of a darling , in the Party. He was handsomeeffect, charismatic and a favorite his analysis of Lenin. He led the opposition to Stalin in the Politburo.<ref> Felshtinskycurrent Bolshevik Part, p. 204</ref> He opposed Stalin’s policy of the rapid industrialization future of the Soviet Union Revolution and called for the gradual introduction an indictment of industrializationStalin's character. In the Testament, Stalin prevailed was castigated and denounced as self-serving and later he had Bukharin expelled. All those who had crossed Stalin in some way were to be murdered focused only on his ordersamassing personal power. Some years later, Lenin called for the removal of Stalin sent an assassin to murder Trotskyas General Secretary. He was later killed by a Soviet Agent with an ice pick. KamenevBefore Lenin could publish the Testament, Bukharin, and Zinoviev were all later put on trial, in he suffered a show trial heart attack and executed, on was paralyzed. Stalin received the trumped charges Testament from one of plotting against the stateLenin’s secretaries, who was his agent. Stalin repressed Lenin’s widow also died in suspicious circumstance and many believed that she was poisoned on criticism of him. If the Testament had come to light Stalin’s orderscareer would have been finished.<ref>Read, p 235234</ref>

Allies of Stalin colluded to repress all mention of the document. Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21st, 1924. Stalin was given the honor of organizing the official funeral. He arranged the funeral and ignored Lenin’s final wishes. Stalin also gave an oration at the funeral, despite the opposition of Lenin’s window. Stalin under the rules of 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 Power====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. Only 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> ====Socialism in One Country====[[File:Stalin-Bukharin.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|Stalin and Bukharin in 1928]]The rivalry between Trotsky and Stalin was not only a personal because both men had radically different views on the nature of Communism. 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 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, and this made Trotsky unpopular. By 1927, Stalin was so powerful that he could force Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev from the Politburo and later expelled from the Bolshevik Party. Trotsky was forced into exile and eventually later settled in Mexico. ====Consolidating His Rule==References==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. 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. He was later killed by a Soviet Agent 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, 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 opposition of Lenin and many of the senior leaders in the Party. He was widely seen as an uneducated peasant. However, he managed to turn this to his advantage and in his role as General Secretary, he built 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 gradually take total control of the Soviet Union. {{Template:Survey1}} ====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]<references/i>(London: Routledge, 2005)

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