Stalin’s rise to power

Lenin dies in January 1924 It was now up to the Politburo to decide who should run Russia – Two clear candidates emerged, Trotsky and Stalin – The two candidates had plentiful experience in the Bolshevik party Trotsky had demonstrated excellent leadership in the Civil War an by 1922 was Commissar of War Stalin had defended Petrograd against the whites and by 1922 was General Secretary of the Party

Lenin on Stalin “...is too rude, and this fault...becomes unbearable in the office of General Secretary. Therefore I propose to the comrades to find a way to remove Stalin, and appoint another man...more patient, more loyal, more polite and more attentive to comrades, less likely to act on impulse”

Lenin on Trotsky “...outstanding abilities. Personally, he is, I think the most able member of the present government Central Committee. But, he is far too arrogant”

Stalin General Secretary of Communist Party, able to control membership Pleasant to those he politically opposed (eg. Trotsky) Leading member of party since 1903 and instrumental in 1917 Revolution Known to be rude and aggressive Ruthless and willing to remove opposition Very skilled organiser Not a thinker, often putting ideas of others forward as his own

Trotsky Run the army in Civil War, no interest in running a Government Department A thinker who wanted to spread revolution Cut off from bulk of main members of party in his beliefs Feared that he may become a dictator An ex Menshevik, only joined Bolsheviks in 1917 Commanded Red Guards who had routed Kerensky Brilliant orator but a shy man lacking in confidence

Trotsky caused a divide within the communist party as he wanted to spread the revolution to other countries such as Poland and Germany His opponents said these were not the ideas of Lenin and revolution in Russia needed to be consolidated first Stalin referred to this as ‘Socialism in one country’ Trotsky lost his job in the Politburo in January 1925 which was now split over what to do with farming and industry

By 1926 the peasants were still not growing enough food to satisfy the needs of the urban populations Some Politburo members wanted to set up collective farms (kolkhoz) where peasants would share tools and seeds Stalin held the balance between the two sides and carried on with the plans of the NEP Stalin had defeated Trotsky and his allies who by 1927 were driven out of the party. Stalin’s supporters were now running the party, and Stalin in his position as General Secretary was able to give jobs to those he trusted.

Stalin achieved full control of the party in December 1929 after he was forced to back plans for collectivisation after the kulaks failed to provide grain for urban areas.