Stalin took over Lenin

  • Birth and Childhood

    • Born in 1879 in Georgia.

    • Experienced poverty and violence in his family; father was an alcoholic shoemaker.

    • Developed negative views about the Tsarist system.

  • Education and Early Political Activity

    • Trained to be a priest but shifted to Communist revolutionary activities.

    • Joined the Bolshevik Party in 1903, known for tough activism and organized bank robberies for funds.

  • October Revolution and Civil War

    • Did not have a significant role in these events.

Stalin's Rise in the Party

  • Lenin's Admiration

    • Initially respected by Lenin for his origins and abilities.

  • Roles Obtained

    • Appointed Commissar for Nationalities, overseeing non-Russian affairs in the USSR.

    • Became General Secretary, a seemingly mundane job that gave him considerable power over the Communist Party.

  • Political Positioning

    • Presented as politically moderate with contributions like the theory of socialism in one country.

Stalin’s Advantages

  • Loyalty to Lenin

    • Respected for diligence and achieving results; referred to as the "Wonderful Georgian."

  • Strategic Positioning

    • Ability to promote supporters into key Party roles.

    • Access to personal files of over 26,000 Party members, gathering intelligence on opponents.

Stalin’s Weaknesses

  • Challenges from Lenin's Testament

    • Lenin suggested Stalin's removal, threatening his prospects for leadership.

  • Perceptions

    • Labeled as dull, a poor public speaker, and criticized by Trotsky as a 'grey blur.'

    • Not a leading figure in critical historic battles.

Stalin's Steps to Power

  • Transition into understanding Stalin's political maneuvering to gain control following Lenin’s death.

Party Divisions

  • Internal Conflict

    • Unified goal of communism but divided tactics among factions.

  • Key Figures

    • Left wing (Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev) wanted rapid communism; right wing (Bukharin) supported NEP.

    • Stalin positioned as centrist, gaining support from both factions.

Stalin's Strategic Moves

  • Role in Lenin’s Funeral

    • Utilized the event to gain public support as a loyal follower of Lenin; contrasted with Trotsky’s absence.

Lenin’s Testament

  • Control of Lenin’s Testament

    • Document containing criticisms of Stalin was debated; read silently by him to avoid political damage.

    • Rivals Zinoviev and Kamenev averted potential fallout due to their own concerns.

Defeating Trotsky

  • Formation of Alliances

    • Post-Lenin, Stalin allied with Kamenev and Zinoviev against Trotsky, who posed a major threat.

    • Their anti-Trotsky coalition aimed to marginalize him, despite differing on some ideological fronts.

Defeating the United Opposition

  • Shifts in Alliances

    • Following Trotsky's defeat, Stalin partnered with Bukharin to further consolidate control.

    • Accusations of factionalism led to the expulsion of Zinoviev, Kamenev, and Trotsky from the Party.

Final Steps Against Bukharin

  • Consolidation of Power

    • With three opponents out, Stalin pivoted to oust Bukharin.

    • Adopted left-wing policies and moved towards rapid industrialization.

    • Bukharin ultimately lost key positions as Stalin shifted party priorities.

Page 26: Reasons for Stalin's Victory

  • Successful Policies

    • Socialism in one country and rapid industrialization gained popular support.

  • Strategic Position

    • Secretary General role allowed patronage within the Party, influencing votes in his favor.

  • Political Skills

    • Transformed a mundane bureaucracy into a powerful tool; perceived as approachable and humble.

  • Opponents’ Fallibility

    • Trotsky's unpopularity, and the political naivety of Zinoviev, Kamenev, and Bukharin led to their downfall.