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.

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.

The Defeat of Trotsky

This section chronicles how Stalin, along with Zinoviev and Kamenev, successfully marginalized Trotsky within the party.

Quote: "Trotsky made little attempt to organize his supporters. He felt that inter-party squabbling was beneath him."

Highlight: The 13th Party Congress in 1924 marked a crucial turning point in Trotsky's defeat.