Stalin compared to Lenin

Key features of Stalin’s leadership

absolute ruler, personal dictatorship, used purges and show trials to retain control, ‘red tsar’

Key features of Lenin’s leadership

Centralised, used party systems such as Politburo, fierce class warrior, attempted to remain ideologically pure

Key features of Stalin’s leadership

absolute ruler, personal dictatorship, used purges and show trials to retain control, ‘red tsar’

Key features of Lenin’s leadership

Centralised, used party systems such as Politburo, fierce class warrior, attempted to remain ideologically pure

Stalin caused the party to become *** and killed the *** which allowed him to become an absolute ruler

*** bureaucratised *** internal party democracy

Continuity between Lenin and Stalin

Some historians believe that between Stalin and Lenin, there is less change than originally thought. This is a continuum as some believe Lenin laid the foundations but Stalin was required while others believe that there was virtually no change at all.

Change between Lenin and Stalin

Some historians believe there was a big difference between these two leaders. The change between them was not inevitable and if Stalin had not inherited the position of leadership the horrors that were experienced in his reign would not have happened.