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Part one: the russian revolution and the rise of stalin, 1917-1929

How Did Stalin Rise to Power and Keep It? A Simple History

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How Did Stalin Rise to Power and Keep It? A Simple History
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Erin Oneill

@erinoneill_nwll

·

35 Followers

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Stalin's rise to power in the Soviet Union was a complex process involving strategic positioning, manipulation of party structures, and exploitation of ideological differences. How did Stalin come to power and maintain his grip on the Soviet state for nearly three decades? This summary explores the key factors and events that contributed to Stalin's ascent to leadership.

Key points:

  • Stalin leveraged his positions within the Communist Party to build a power base
  • He exploited Lenin's death and funeral to present himself as Lenin's successor
  • Stalin manipulated party structures and policies to his advantage
  • He outmaneuvered rival contenders through political tactics and alliances
  • Ideological debates within the party provided opportunities for Stalin to consolidate power

06/05/2023

211

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

View

Ideological Differences and Stalin's Maneuvering

The final page of the transcript discusses how Stalin's rise to power A level History was facilitated by his exploitation of ideological differences within the Communist Party. These disagreements provided opportunities for Stalin to outmaneuver his opponents and consolidate his position.

Key ideological debates within the party included:

  1. The future of the New Economic Policy (NEP)
  2. The call for "Permanent Revolution"
  3. Industrialization

Vocabulary: The New Economic Policy (NEP) was an economic policy introduced by Lenin in 1921, allowing some private enterprise to stimulate economic growth after the Russian Civil War.

Stalin's role in these debates illustrates his tactics of maneuvering himself into a dominant position while outmaneuvering and isolating his opponents. He skillfully exploited these ideological differences to remove party leadership figures who opposed him.

Highlight: Stalin's ability to navigate and manipulate these ideological debates was crucial in his rise to power, as it allowed him to eliminate rivals while presenting himself as a pragmatic leader capable of addressing the party's pressing concerns.

By understanding and exploiting these internal party conflicts, Stalin was able to gradually consolidate his power and emerge as the undisputed leader of the Soviet Union.

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

View

Stalin's Tactical Maneuvers and Exploitation of Party Policies

How did Stalin maintain power was largely due to his clever exploitation of party policies and events. This page explores some of the key tactics Stalin employed to consolidate his position.

Ban on Factionalism: Stalin skillfully used Lenin's ban on factionalism to his advantage. This policy made it difficult for his ideas to be challenged within the party, as any opposition could be viewed as factionalism and severely punished.

Definition: Factionalism refers to the formation of groups within a larger organization, often with differing ideologies or goals.

Lenin's Funeral: Stalin cleverly exploited Lenin's funeral for his own benefit. By delivering the oration and presenting himself as the leading mourner, he suggested a continuity between himself and Lenin.

Quote: "After 1924, if a party member could assume the mantle of Lenin and appear to carry on his power/work, he would establish a formidable claim to power. This is exactly what Stalin began to do."

Stalin's actions during this period were calculated to present himself as the true heir and successor to Lenin, effectively laying the groundwork for his future leadership.

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

View

Stalin's Positions and the Lenin Enrolment

Stalin's rise to power was significantly bolstered by his strategic positions within the Communist Party and changes in party structure. How long was Stalin in power was influenced by the foundations he laid during this period.

Stalin's key positions included:

  1. Commissar for Nationalities (1917): Overseeing officials in various republics outside Russia.
  2. Liaison Officer between Politburo and Orgburo (1919): Monitoring both party policy and personnel.
  3. Head of Worker's and Peasants' Inspectorate (1919): Overseeing all government departments.
  4. General Secretary of the Communist Party (1922): Recording and conveying Party policy, with access to personal files on all party members.

Highlight: Stalin's position as General Secretary gave him the power of patronage, allowing him to appoint his supporters to key positions and maintain awareness of all party activities.

The Lenin Enrolment, occurring between 1923-25, doubled party membership to 600,000. This influx of new members, predominantly poorly educated and politically naive, provided Stalin with a reliable bloc of votes at central and local levels, further enhancing his power of patronage.

Example: The new party members, owing their admittance to Stalin, became a loyal support base, strengthening his position within the party structure.

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

View

The Contenders: Stalin's Rivals for Power

Understanding Stalin's rise to power A level History requires an examination of his main rivals within the Communist Party. This page provides an overview of the key contenders and their strengths and weaknesses.

Trotsky:

  • Commissar for War, in charge of the Red Army
  • Extraordinary organizer and good at managing people and situations
  • Close with Zinoviev (perhaps too close)
  • Party Secretary in Moscow
  • Exceptional ideologist and theoretician
  • Underestimated Stalin's position
  • Opposed Lenin in 1917
  • Made no attempt to build a support base outside Moscow

Zinoviev:

  • Older Bolshevik, joined in 1905
  • Member of Politburo
  • Intelligent and educated
  • Excellent speechmaker
  • Party Secretary in Leningrad
  • Criticized Lenin in October 1917, favoring a socialist coalition

Kamenev:

  • Skillful politician
  • Capable and intelligent

Bukharin:

  • Only joined in 1922
  • Talented theorist and policymaker
  • Late comer (former Menshevik)

Stalin:

  • Master manipulator
  • Knew the party inside-out
  • Dull personality, referred to as a "grey blur"
  • Poorly educated but prepared to think beyond Marxism
  • Paranoid
  • Leading member of NEP
  • Considered Lenin's "favorite"

Highlight: Despite his apparent weaknesses, Stalin's intimate knowledge of the party structure and his ability to manipulate situations to his advantage ultimately set him apart from his rivals.

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

View

Stalin's Rise to Power: The Formation of Collective Leadership

After Lenin's death in 1924, the Soviet Union entered a period of collective leadership through the Politburo. Stalin's rise to power A level History begins with his unexpected emergence as a contender for sole leadership, despite being initially viewed as an unlikely candidate.

The power struggle involved several key Politburo members, including Trotsky, Stalin, Bukharin, Kamenev, and Zinoviev. Each contender's claim to authority was based on their revolutionary record, relationship with Lenin, and appeal within the party.

Highlight: Stalin, initially seen as a mere administrator with a dull personality, was referred to as a "Grey blur" by his contemporaries.

Stalin's path to power was paved by his strategic positions within the party:

  1. Commissar for Nationalities (1917)
  2. Liaison Officer between the Politburo and Orgburo (1919)
  3. Head of Worker's and Peasants' Inspectorate (1919)
  4. General Secretary of the Communist Party (1922)

Definition: The General Secretary role allowed Stalin to record and convey Party policy, giving him access to personal files on all party members.

These positions provided Stalin with extensive control over party organization and membership, significantly contributing to his accumulation of power.

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

View

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

View

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

View

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Subjects

/

History

/

2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953

/

Part one: the russian revolution and the rise of stalin, 1917-1929

How Did Stalin Rise to Power and Keep It? A Simple History

user profile picture

Erin Oneill

@erinoneill_nwll

·

35 Followers

Follow

Stalin's rise to power in the Soviet Union was a complex process involving strategic positioning, manipulation of party structures, and exploitation of ideological differences. How did Stalin come to power and maintain his grip on the Soviet state for nearly three decades? This summary explores the key factors and events that contributed to Stalin's ascent to leadership.

Key points:

  • Stalin leveraged his positions within the Communist Party to build a power base
  • He exploited Lenin's death and funeral to present himself as Lenin's successor
  • Stalin manipulated party structures and policies to his advantage
  • He outmaneuvered rival contenders through political tactics and alliances
  • Ideological debates within the party provided opportunities for Stalin to consolidate power

06/05/2023

211

 

13

 

History

11

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

Ideological Differences and Stalin's Maneuvering

The final page of the transcript discusses how Stalin's rise to power A level History was facilitated by his exploitation of ideological differences within the Communist Party. These disagreements provided opportunities for Stalin to outmaneuver his opponents and consolidate his position.

Key ideological debates within the party included:

  1. The future of the New Economic Policy (NEP)
  2. The call for "Permanent Revolution"
  3. Industrialization

Vocabulary: The New Economic Policy (NEP) was an economic policy introduced by Lenin in 1921, allowing some private enterprise to stimulate economic growth after the Russian Civil War.

Stalin's role in these debates illustrates his tactics of maneuvering himself into a dominant position while outmaneuvering and isolating his opponents. He skillfully exploited these ideological differences to remove party leadership figures who opposed him.

Highlight: Stalin's ability to navigate and manipulate these ideological debates was crucial in his rise to power, as it allowed him to eliminate rivals while presenting himself as a pragmatic leader capable of addressing the party's pressing concerns.

By understanding and exploiting these internal party conflicts, Stalin was able to gradually consolidate his power and emerge as the undisputed leader of the Soviet Union.

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

Stalin's Tactical Maneuvers and Exploitation of Party Policies

How did Stalin maintain power was largely due to his clever exploitation of party policies and events. This page explores some of the key tactics Stalin employed to consolidate his position.

Ban on Factionalism: Stalin skillfully used Lenin's ban on factionalism to his advantage. This policy made it difficult for his ideas to be challenged within the party, as any opposition could be viewed as factionalism and severely punished.

Definition: Factionalism refers to the formation of groups within a larger organization, often with differing ideologies or goals.

Lenin's Funeral: Stalin cleverly exploited Lenin's funeral for his own benefit. By delivering the oration and presenting himself as the leading mourner, he suggested a continuity between himself and Lenin.

Quote: "After 1924, if a party member could assume the mantle of Lenin and appear to carry on his power/work, he would establish a formidable claim to power. This is exactly what Stalin began to do."

Stalin's actions during this period were calculated to present himself as the true heir and successor to Lenin, effectively laying the groundwork for his future leadership.

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

Stalin's Positions and the Lenin Enrolment

Stalin's rise to power was significantly bolstered by his strategic positions within the Communist Party and changes in party structure. How long was Stalin in power was influenced by the foundations he laid during this period.

Stalin's key positions included:

  1. Commissar for Nationalities (1917): Overseeing officials in various republics outside Russia.
  2. Liaison Officer between Politburo and Orgburo (1919): Monitoring both party policy and personnel.
  3. Head of Worker's and Peasants' Inspectorate (1919): Overseeing all government departments.
  4. General Secretary of the Communist Party (1922): Recording and conveying Party policy, with access to personal files on all party members.

Highlight: Stalin's position as General Secretary gave him the power of patronage, allowing him to appoint his supporters to key positions and maintain awareness of all party activities.

The Lenin Enrolment, occurring between 1923-25, doubled party membership to 600,000. This influx of new members, predominantly poorly educated and politically naive, provided Stalin with a reliable bloc of votes at central and local levels, further enhancing his power of patronage.

Example: The new party members, owing their admittance to Stalin, became a loyal support base, strengthening his position within the party structure.

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

The Contenders: Stalin's Rivals for Power

Understanding Stalin's rise to power A level History requires an examination of his main rivals within the Communist Party. This page provides an overview of the key contenders and their strengths and weaknesses.

Trotsky:

  • Commissar for War, in charge of the Red Army
  • Extraordinary organizer and good at managing people and situations
  • Close with Zinoviev (perhaps too close)
  • Party Secretary in Moscow
  • Exceptional ideologist and theoretician
  • Underestimated Stalin's position
  • Opposed Lenin in 1917
  • Made no attempt to build a support base outside Moscow

Zinoviev:

  • Older Bolshevik, joined in 1905
  • Member of Politburo
  • Intelligent and educated
  • Excellent speechmaker
  • Party Secretary in Leningrad
  • Criticized Lenin in October 1917, favoring a socialist coalition

Kamenev:

  • Skillful politician
  • Capable and intelligent

Bukharin:

  • Only joined in 1922
  • Talented theorist and policymaker
  • Late comer (former Menshevik)

Stalin:

  • Master manipulator
  • Knew the party inside-out
  • Dull personality, referred to as a "grey blur"
  • Poorly educated but prepared to think beyond Marxism
  • Paranoid
  • Leading member of NEP
  • Considered Lenin's "favorite"

Highlight: Despite his apparent weaknesses, Stalin's intimate knowledge of the party structure and his ability to manipulate situations to his advantage ultimately set him apart from his rivals.

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

Stalin's Rise to Power: The Formation of Collective Leadership

After Lenin's death in 1924, the Soviet Union entered a period of collective leadership through the Politburo. Stalin's rise to power A level History begins with his unexpected emergence as a contender for sole leadership, despite being initially viewed as an unlikely candidate.

The power struggle involved several key Politburo members, including Trotsky, Stalin, Bukharin, Kamenev, and Zinoviev. Each contender's claim to authority was based on their revolutionary record, relationship with Lenin, and appeal within the party.

Highlight: Stalin, initially seen as a mere administrator with a dull personality, was referred to as a "Grey blur" by his contemporaries.

Stalin's path to power was paved by his strategic positions within the party:

  1. Commissar for Nationalities (1917)
  2. Liaison Officer between the Politburo and Orgburo (1919)
  3. Head of Worker's and Peasants' Inspectorate (1919)
  4. General Secretary of the Communist Party (1922)

Definition: The General Secretary role allowed Stalin to record and convey Party policy, giving him access to personal files on all party members.

These positions provided Stalin with extensive control over party organization and membership, significantly contributing to his accumulation of power.

When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t
When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t
When Lenin died in 1924 a Collective leadership was formed: rule would be exercised by the Politburo rather than by one individual. Within t

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Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

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Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

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Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 12 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

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Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.