Changes

===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>

 ====Stalin’s Early Life====Joseph Stalin, the future leader of the Soviet Union, often referred to as the ‘Red Tsar,' was born on 18 December 1878 to a Georgian cobbler in Gori, Georgia and his wife in a small, impoverished village. His real name was Josef Besarionis de Jughashvili. <ref> Boobyear, p. 111</ref> He was ethnically Georgian, but Georgia was part of the Tsarist Russian Empire. After leaving school, Stalin went to a seminary. Instead of studying theology and the Bible, he embraced Marxism and became a follower of Vladimir Lenin, leader of the revolutionary Bolshevik Party.<ref> Conquest, Robert. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140169539/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140169539&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=78415985f069f734b98307b00183a2dd Stalin: Breaker of Nations]''. (Viking-Penguin, Hammondsworth, 1999), p. 112</ref>  Stalin soon joined the Bolshevik movement and was very active in violent attacks on the Tsarist government. He was a notorious bank robber, and he committed these robberies to subvert the Tsarist government and fund the revolution. After being placed under surveillance by Russian secret police, the Ohrakan, for his activities, he went underground.<ref>Conquest, p. 78</ref> He became one of the Bolsheviks' leaders in the Caucasus, organizing paramilitaries, and taking part in a terrorist campaign in the region. He was involved in the notorious Tiflis bank robbery where 40 people were killed. This robbery raised his standing among the Bolshevik leadership.<ref>Conquest, p. 87 </ref>  Stalin was captured and exiled to Siberia numerous times, but usually, he escaped. He eventually became one of Vladimir Lenin's closest associates, or so he was later to vigorously claim which helped him rise to the heights of power after the Russian Revolution. In 1910 he changed his name to Stalin, meaning in Russian ‘Man of Steel’ supposedly adopted to protect his real identity from the police and perhaps also to create a public image as a true revolutionary. <ref>Boobyear, p. 134</ref> ====October Revolution and the Russian Civil War====

By 1917, Stalin was in St. Petersburg, which was soon to be renamed Petrograd. This city was the capital of the revolutionary government that had seized power from [[Why did the Russian Romanov Dynasty collapse in 1917?|the Tsar]] and his government in February 1917. The Provisional Government under Alexander Kerensky was becoming unpopular despite ending the rule of the Romanov’s. They had failed to end the war and to redistributed land to the Russian peasants. <ref> Montefiore, Simon Sebag. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400076781/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400076781&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8d302940930c5b356ba181d00bc19d29 Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar]''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2003), p. 117</ref> The Bolsheviks skillfully adopted a policy of promising peace and land to the war -weary and starving population. Their message made them very popular , and in October 1917, they stormed the Winter Place and declared that the Russian Empire was now the Soviet Union.<ref>Montefiore, p. 111</ref>The exact Stalin's role of Stalin in the Bolshevik Revolution is not known in any great detailunknown. In later propaganda, Stalin was presented in posters and other images as being by Lenin’s side during the Revolution. In fact, it seemed that but Stalin appears to have played only played a minor role in the Revolution. <ref>Montefiore, p. 113</ref>

However, Stalin was to make made his reputation in during the Russian Civil War. He was appointed as a Political Commissar to several Generals and ensured that they were loyal to the Bolsheviks. Eventually, he was given a military command and brutally suppressed White Counter-Revolutionaries and bandits. He was also instrumental in conquering his native Georgia, which had declared itself to be independent. Stalin was later appointed to the army in the Ukraine , and he helped to push back a Polish invasion, however. However, he was criticized for not defeating routing the Poles completely and exporting the revolution to that country and elsewhere in Europe.<ref>Montefiore, p. 118</ref>

====Stalin as General Secretary of the Bolshevik Party====Historians have often argued that the Russian Civil War was won for the Bolsheviks by the revolutionary Leo Trotsky. This interpretation is now believed to be an exaggeration of Trotsky's role. However, Trotsky, did play a significant role in the Soviet's victory over the White's in the Civil War and was a very important significant figure in the Communist PARTY and rivaled Lenin in prestige. Lenin was worried about the influence of Trotsky , and he employed Stalin to build up a base of support for him. Stalin did this but also at the same time, built up a body of supporters that were loyal to him in the Party. In 1921, Stalin was appointed to the position of General Secretary. This position gave him great power in the Party. Stalin created a network of supporters in the Party. Lenin became suspicious of Stalin and was beginning to mistrust his former protégée. In particular, Lenin disliked the brutal methods of Stalin in his native Georgia, where he brutally repressed those who opposed Bolshevism. Despite Lenin’s doubts, Stalin began to grow popular with the rank and file Party members. Unlike Lenin and Trotsky, he was not an intellectual and had the common touch , and he was well-liked by many.<ref> Conquest, p. 114</ref>

====Lenin and Stalin====[[File: 650px-JStalin Secretary general CCCP 1942 flippedLenin_and_stalin_crop.jpg |left|thumbnail| 250px|Lenin and Stalin as General Secretaryin Gorki, 1922]]After the Revolution, Lenin held the power in the new country. However, in 1922, after surgery, he had a stroke , and he was never the same. The stroke weakened 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 politics. The ruling council of the Bolshevik Party, the Politburo, ordered Lenin to avoid and concentrate on his recovery. Stalin, the General Secretary of the Communist Party, was one of the few people who still had access to him. Stalin used his position to cut Lenin off from the party and effectively to isolate him. He knew that Lenin’s disliked him, because Lenin perceived him as cruel and authoritarian. Stalin even berated Lenin's wife for breaching Politburo orders by helping Lenin communicate with others on public matters. Stalin's attack on his wife angered Lenin.<ref>Read, Christopher. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415206499/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415206499&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d05be7a646c17cc922f1ffe49958037b Lenin: A Revolutionary Life]</i> (London: Routledge, 2005), p. 112</ref>

As the relationship between Lenin and Stalin deteriorated, Lenin dictated his Testament. This Testament was, in effect, his analysis the General Secretary of the current Bolshevik PartCommunist Party, the future was one of the Revolution and an indictment of few people who still had access to him. Stalin's character. In used his position to cut Lenin off from the Testament, Stalin was castigated party and denounced effectively to isolate him. He knew that Lenin’s disliked him because Lenin perceived him as self-serving cruel and focused only on amassing personal powerauthoritarian. Stalin even berated Lenin called 's wife for the removal of breaching Politburo orders by helping Lenin communicate with others on public matters. Stalin as General Secretary. Before 's attack on his wife angered Lenin could publish the Testament, he suffered a heart attack and was paralyzed. Stalin received the Testament from one of Lenin’s secretaries<ref>Read, who was actually his agentChristopher. 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/0415206499/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415206499&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d05be7a646c17cc922f1ffe49958037b Lenin: A Revolutionary Life]<ref/i>Read(London: Routledge, 2005), p 234. 112</ref>

Allies of Stalin colluded to repress all mention of As the document. relationship between Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21stand Stalin deteriorated, 1924Lenin dictated his Testament. Stalin This Testament was given , in effect, his analysis of the honor current Bolshevik Part, the future of organizing the official funeralRevolution and an indictment of Stalin's character. He organized In the funeral Testament, Stalin was castigated and denounced as self-serving and ignored Lenin’s final wishesfocused only on amassing personal power. Lenin called for the removal of Stalin also gave an oration at as General Secretary. Before Lenin could publish the funeralTestament, despite he suffered a heart attack and was paralyzed. Stalin received the opposition Testament from one of Lenin’s windowsecretaries, who was his agent. Stalin under the rules repressed Lenin’s criticism of the Party was now the de-facto successor of Leninhim. However, If the party was not under his control, he Testament had come to share power with a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenevlight Stalin’s career would have been finished.<ref>Read, p. 236234</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. Stalin had always been underestimated by many prominent Bolsheviks 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, 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> 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=dailyh0cdh-20&linkId=8e5c4b8740fbfc8f691fb6ae90aae02b Lenin and His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–1924]</i>. Enigma Books, 2000), p. 201<ad/ref>

===Socialism in One Country===The rivalry between Trotsky and Allies of Stalin was not only colluded to repress all mention of the document. Lenin died of a personalsuspected stroke on January 21st, 1924. Both men had different views on Stalin was given the nature honor of Communism and more importantly antithetical ideas on organizing the future of official funeral. He arranged the worldwide Communist revoltfuneral and ignored Lenin’s final wishes. Influenced by MarxStalin also gave an oration at the funeral, despite the Bolsheviks, believed that there was going to be a world-wide Communist Revolutionopposition of Lenin’s window. Stalin began advocating "Socialism in One Country," which says that under the Bolsheviks should focus building communism in rules of the countries they already controlled rather than spreading Party was now the revolutionde-facto successor of Lenin. This drew to him many like-minded Party membersHowever, especially the rank and file and this put him in ideological opposition party was not under his control, he had to share power with a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev.<ref> FelshtinskyRead, p. 202236</ref>

The ====Stalin’s Rise to Power====Stalin was officially the leader of the Communist party, but to many in the Party accepted Stalin’s position , he was only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity and this meant that Trotsky a political figure of no real substance. Many prominent Bolsheviks had always underestimated Stalin because he was increasingly marginalizednot well educated. He then decided to organize public protestsTrotsky, along with othersKamenev, against Stalin’s growing control and Zinoviev all saw themselves as the logical choice as the successor of the PartyLenin. However, they were not as popular as they believed and that Stalin, employed a law passed by Lenin, ordering unity in was very popular with the ordinary Partymember. Stalin asserted that Trotsky, was trying shrewd enough not to split appear to be seeking the party leadership of the Party. Furthermore, Stalin publically denounced Kamenev and this ploy managed Zinoviev, when they tried to sideline involve him in a conspiracy against Trotsky even furtherin 1925. Another factor, in Only Stalin and Trotsky as the growing isolation of Leon Trotsky, despite his achievements during sole contenders for the Russian Civil War, was his Jewish heritageleadership role.<ref> Felshtinsky, pYuri. 203<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> There was a great deal of antisemitism in Russian and this made Trotsky unpopular. By 1927Enigma Books, Stalin was so powerful that he could force Trotsky2000), Kamenev and Zinoviev from the Politburo and later expelled from the Bolshevik Party. Trotsky was forced into exile and eventually later settled in Mexicop. 201</ref>

===Consolidating His Rule=Socialism in One Country====By 1927, [[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 unquestioned ruler nature of the Soviet UnionCommunism. His had filled More importantly, they held antithetical ideas on the administration future of the Party with people who were loyal to himworldwide Communist revolt. IncreasinglyInfluenced by Marx, Stalin appointed his loyalists to the Politburo. Many of Lenin’s former lieutenants realized Bolsheviks, believed that Stalin there was making himself going to be a deworld-facto dictatorwide Communist Revolution. Bukharin was something of a darling Stalin began advocating "Socialism in the Party. He was handsomeOne Country, charismatic and a favorite of Lenin. He led " which says that the opposition to Stalin Bolsheviks should focus building communism in the Politburocountries they already controlled rather than spreading the revolution.<ref> Felshtinsky This view drew many like-minded Party members to Stalin, p. 204</ref> He opposed Stalin’s policy of especially the rapid industrialization of the Soviet Union rank and called for the gradual introduction of industrializationfile. Stalin prevailed and later he had Bukharin expelled. All those who had crossed Stalin placed himself in some way were ideological opposition 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>ReadFelshtinsky, p. 235202</ref>

===Conclusion===By 1928The Party accepted Stalin’s position, Stalin and this meant that Trotsky was the undisputed ruler increasingly marginalized. He then decided to organize public protests, along with others, against Stalin’s growing control of the Soviet UnionParty. In 1920However, he managed to achieve this despite the opposition of Stalin, employed a law passed by Lenin and many of the senior leaders , ordering unity in the Party. He Stalin asserted that Trotsky, was widely seen as an uneducated peasant. However, he managed trying to turn split the party and this ploy managed to his advantage and sideline Trotsky even further. Another factor, in the growing isolation of Leon Trotsky, despite his role as General Secretaryachievements during the Russian Civil War, he built up was his power base in the countryJewish heritage.<ref> Felshtinsky, p. Stalin 203</ref> There was also generally popular among the ordinary Party Members a great deal of antisemitism in Russian, and this made Trotsky unpopular. By 1927, Stalin was crucial. This meant so powerful that he had a powerful could force Trotsky, Kamenev, and influential following Zinoviev from the Politburo and this allowed him to build up his power later expelled from the Bolshevik Party. Trotsky was forced into exile and influence until he was eventually later settled in total control of the partyMexico.

====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:Russian History}}Routledge, 2005)====References====