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===Stalin’s Early Life===[[File: Stalin in exile 1915.jpg |thumbnail|left|200px|Stalin in Siberia]]On April 3, 1922, Joseph Stalin, took over control of the future leader Communist Party of the Soviet Unionand by 1927, often referred to as he had absolute power over the ‘Red Tsar', was born on 18 December 1878 to a Georgian cobbler in Gori, Georgia USSR and his wife in a small impoverished village. His real name was Josef Besarionis de Jughashviliits unquestioned ruler. <ref> Boobyear, p. 111</ref> He was ethnically Georgian, but Georgia was part of the Tsarist Russian Empire. After leaving school, he was sent How did Stalin rise to a seminary. Instead of studying theology and the bible, he embraced Marxism power so quickly after Lenin's death and became a follower usurp all of Vladimir Lenin, leader of the revolutionary Bolshevik Party.<ref> Conquest, Robert. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140169539/ref=as_li_tlhis challengers?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 was one of the Bolshevik movement and was very active bloodiest tyrants in violent attacks on the Tsarist governmentworld history. He was noted a bank robber, these were undertaken in order to subvert the system absolute ruler of the Soviet Union and gain funds for later of the revolutionCommunist bloc in Eastern Europe. After being placed under surveillance by Russian secret police, the Ohrakan, for He rose to this unprecedented level of power as a result of his capabilities and his activities, he went underground.<ref>Conquest, p. 78</ref> He became one understanding of the Bolsheviks' leaders in the Caucasus, organizing paramilitaries, and a terrorist campaign in workings of the regionCommunist Party. He was involved in Stalin translated these strengths into total control of the notorious Tiflis bank robbery, during which 40 people were killed. This raised his standing among Soviet Union after the Bolshevik leadershipRussian Civil War (1917-1920).<ref>Conquest, p. 87 </ref> Stalin was captured and exiled to Siberia numerous times, but usually escaped. He eventually became one not the natural successor of [[How did Vladimir Lenin Rise To Power?|Vladimir Lenin's closest associates]], or so but he was later able to vigorously claim which helped him rise use his position within the Soviet Communist Party to become the heights undisputed leader of power after the Russian RevolutionSoviet Union. In 1910 he changed his name to Stalin<ref>Boobbyer, 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 revolutionaryPhillip. ''[https://www.amazon. <com/gp/product/0415182980/ref>Boobyear=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415182980&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=10976fbde66cefcc9a2808e5d094f993 The Stalin Era]'' (Routledge, London, 2000), p. 13478</ref>

However====Stalin’s Early Life====Joseph Stalin, the future leader of the Soviet Union, often referred to as the ‘Red Tsar, Stalin ' was born on 18 December 1878 to make a Georgian cobbler in Gori, Georgia and his reputation wife in the Russian Civil Wara small, impoverished village. He His real name was appointed as a Political Commissar to several Generals and ensured that they were loyal to the BolsheviksJosef Besarionis de Jughashvili. Eventually<ref> Boobyear, he was given a military command and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries and banditsp. 111</ref> He was also instrumental in conquering his native ethnically Georgian, but Georgiawas part of the Tsarist Russian Empire. After leaving school, which had declared itself Stalin went to be independenta seminary. Stalin was later appointed to Instead of studying theology and the army in the Ukraine Bible, he embraced Marxism and he helped to push back became a Polish invasion, howeverfollower of Vladimir Lenin, he was criticized for not defeating the Poles completely and exporting leader of the revolution to that country and elsewhere in Europerevolutionary Bolshevik Party.<ref>MontefioreConquest, 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. 118112</ref>

===Stalin as General Secretary of soon joined 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 movement and was a very important figure active in violent attacks on the Communist PARTY and rivaled Lenin in prestigeTsarist government. Lenin He was worried about the influence of Trotsky a notorious bank robber, and he employed Stalin committed these robberies to build up a base of support subvert the Tsarist government and fund the revolution. After being placed under surveillance by Russian secret police, the Ohrakan, for himhis activities, he went underground. Stalin did this but also at the same time<ref>Conquest, built up a body p. 78</ref> He became one of supporters that were loyal to him the Bolsheviks' leaders in the Party. In 1921Caucasus, organizing paramilitaries, Stalin was appointed to the position of General Secretary. This gave him great power and taking part in the Party. Stalin created a network of supporters terrorist campaign in the Partyregion. Lenin became suspicious of Stalin and He was beginning to mistrust his former protégée. In particular, Lenin disliked involved in the brutal methods of Stalin in his native Georgia, notorious Tiflis bank robbery where he brutally repressed those who opposed Bolshevism40 people were killed. Despite Lenin’s doubts, Stalin began to grow popular with This robbery raised his standing among 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 manyBolshevik leadership.<ref> Conquest, p. 11487 </ref>

===Lenin Stalin was captured and Stalin===[[File: 650px-JStalin Secretary general CCCP 1942 flipped.jpg |thumbnail| Stalin as General Secretary]]After the Revolution, Lenin held the power in the new country. Howeverexiled to Siberia numerous times, in 1922but usually, after surgery, he had a stroke and he was never the sameescaped. He eventually became one of Vladimir Lenin 's closest associates, or so he was physically weakened and many feared that he would not have long later to live. Lenin was largely confined vigorously claim which helped him rise to a country retreat and cut off from politics. The ruling council the heights of power after the Bolshevik Party, the Politburo, ordered Lenin Russian Revolution. In 1910 he changed his name to avoid and concentrate on his recovery. Stalin, the General Secretary of the Communist Party, was one meaning in Russian ‘Man of the few people who still had access Steel’ supposedly adopted to him. Stalin used protect his position to cut Lenin off real identity from the party police and effectively perhaps also to isolate him. He knew that Lenin’s disliked him, because Lenin perceived him create a public image 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 Lenina true revolutionary.<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)Boobyear, p. 112134</ref>

As ====October Revolution and the relationship between Lenin and Russian Civil War====[[File:Russian_Revolution_of_1917.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Bolshevik troops in Red Square]]By 1917, Stalin deterioratedwas in St. Petersburg, Lenin dictated his Testamentwhich was soon to be renamed Petrograd. This Testament city was, the capital of the revolutionary government that had seized power from [[Why did the Russian Romanov Dynasty collapse in effect, 1917?|the Tsar]] and his analysis government in February 1917. The Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky was becoming unpopular despite ending the rule of the current Bolshevik PartRomanov’s. They had failed to end the war and to redistributed land to the Russian peasants. <ref> Montefiore, the future 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 Revolution and an indictment of StalinRed Tsar]''s character. In the TestamentLondon: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2003), Stalin was castigated p. 117</ref> The Bolsheviks skillfully adopted a policy of promising peace and denounced as selfland to the war-serving weary and focused only on amassing personal powerstarving population. Lenin called for Their message made them very popular, and in October 1917, they stormed the removal of Stalin as General SecretaryWinter Place and declared that the Russian Empire was now the Soviet Union. Before Lenin could publish the Testament<ref>Montefiore, he suffered a heart attack and was paralyzedp. 111</ref>Stalin received 's role in the Testament from one of Lenin’s secretariesBolshevik Revolution is unknown. In later propaganda, who Stalin was actually his agent. Stalin repressed presented in posters and other images as being by Lenin’s criticism of him. If side during the Testament had come Revolution, but Stalin appears to light Stalin’s career would have been finishedplayed only a minor role in the Revolution.<ref>ReadMontefiore, p 234. 113</ref>

Allies of However, Stalin colluded 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 repress all mention of the documentBolsheviks. Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21stEventually, 1924. Stalin he was given the honor of organizing the official funerala military command and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries and bandits. He organized the funeral and ignored Lenin’s final wishes. Stalin was also gave an oration at the funeralinstrumental in conquering his native Georgia, despite the opposition of Lenin’s windowwhich had declared itself to be independent. Stalin under the rules of the Party was now later appointed to the de-facto successor of Leninarmy in Ukraine, and he helped to push back a Polish invasion. 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=Stalin as General Secretary of the Bolshevik Party====Stalin Historians have often argued that the Russian Civil War was officially won for the leader 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 Communist party, but to many Soviet's victory over the White's in the Party, he Civil War and was only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity significant figure in the Communist PARTY and a political figure of no real substancerivaled Lenin in prestige. Stalin had always been underestimated by many prominent Bolsheviks because he Lenin was not well educated. worried about the influence of Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev all saw themselves as the logical choice as the successor he employed Stalin to build up a base of Leninsupport for him. HoweverStalin did this but also at the same time, they built up a body of supporters that were not as popular as they believed and that Stalin was very popular with loyal to him in the ordinary Party member. In 1921, Stalin was shrewd enough not appointed to appear to be seeking the leadership position of General Secretary. This position gave him great power in the Party. Stalin created a network of supporters in the Party. FurthermoreLenin 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 publically denounced Kamenev and Zinovievbrutally repressed those who opposed Bolshevism. Despite Lenin’s doubts, when they tried Stalin began to involve him in a conspiracy against Trotsky in 1925grow popular with the rank and file Party members. This only left Stalin Unlike Lenin and Trotsky as the sole contenders for , he was not an intellectual and had the leadership role.<ref> Felshtinskycommon touch, Yuriand he was well-liked by many. <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)Conquest, p. 201114</ref>

===Socialism in One Country=Lenin and Stalin====The rivalry between Trotsky [[File:Lenin_and_stalin_crop.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|Lenin and Stalin was not only a personalin Gorki, 1922]]After the Revolution, Lenin held power in the new country. Both men However, in 1922, after surgery, he had different views on the nature of Communism a stroke, and more importantly antithetical ideas on he was never the future of the worldwide Communist revoltsame. Influenced by MarxThe stroke weakened Lenin, the Bolsheviks, believed and many feared that there he would not have long to live. Lenin was going largely confined to be a world-wide Communist Revolutioncountry retreat and cut off from politics. 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 ruling council of the revolution. This drew to him many like-minded Bolshevik Party members, especially the rank Politburo, ordered Lenin to avoid and file and this put him in ideological opposition to Trotsky.<ref> Felshtinsky, pconcentrate on his recovery. 202</ref>

The Party accepted Stalin’s position and this meant that Trotsky was increasingly marginalized. He then decided to organize public protestsStalin, along with others, against Stalin’s growing control the General Secretary of the Communist Party. However, Stalin, employed a law passed by Lenin, ordering unity in was one of the Partyfew people who still had access to him. Stalin asserted that Trotsky, was trying used his position to split cut Lenin off from the party and this ploy managed effectively to sideline Trotsky isolate him. He knew that Lenin’s disliked him because Lenin perceived him as cruel and authoritarian. Stalin even furtherberated Lenin's wife for breaching Politburo orders by helping Lenin communicate with others on public matters. Another factor, in the growing isolation of Leon Trotsky, despite Stalin's attack on his achievements during the Russian Civil War, was his Jewish heritagewife 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====<div class="portal" style="'float:right; width:8535%;"'>====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====*[[What were the goals of the Axis powers and the Soviet Union during World War Two?]]*[[How Did What is the German Military Develop BlitzkriegHistory 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}}

{{MediawikiStalin 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. ====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:WWII}}Routledge, 2005)====References====