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Stalin's struggle for power, 1924 to 28
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When Lenin died in January 1924 there was no clear successor. Within a few years, Stalin, the least famous contender, had beaten all his rivals.
The contenders
Trotsky: brilliant speaker and Red Army founder, but seen as arrogant; wanted Permanent Revolution (spreading revolution worldwide).
Zinoviev and Kamenev: senior Bolsheviks from Petrograd and Moscow.
Bukharin: on the party's right; supported the NEP.
Stalin: General Secretary from 1922, a dull but hard-working organiser.
Zinoviev and Kamenev: senior Bolsheviks from Petrograd and Moscow.
Bukharin: on the party's right; supported the NEP.
Stalin: General Secretary from 1922, a dull but hard-working organiser.
Stalin's advantages
As General Secretary he appointed loyal supporters to key posts, so he controlled party votes.
He played the role of Lenin's loyal follower, leading the funeral, and Trotsky missed it.
Lenin's Testament criticised Stalin, but it was not published.
Socialism in One Country was a more popular idea than Permanent Revolution.
He played the role of Lenin's loyal follower, leading the funeral, and Trotsky missed it.
Lenin's Testament criticised Stalin, but it was not published.
Socialism in One Country was a more popular idea than Permanent Revolution.
Removing rivals step by step
First Stalin allied with Zinoviev and Kamenev against Trotsky.
Then he allied with Bukharin against Zinoviev and Kamenev, who had joined Trotsky in a United Opposition.
Trotsky was expelled from the party in 1927 and exiled; he was forced out of the USSR in 1929.
Finally Stalin turned on Bukharin and the Right, who lost their posts by 1929.
Then he allied with Bukharin against Zinoviev and Kamenev, who had joined Trotsky in a United Opposition.
Trotsky was expelled from the party in 1927 and exiled; he was forced out of the USSR in 1929.
Finally Stalin turned on Bukharin and the Right, who lost their posts by 1929.
Explain how the post of General Secretary helped Stalin win power.
- The General Secretary made appointments across the party.
- Stalin promoted people loyal to him.
- These supporters voted for Stalin at party meetings and congresses.
Answer: He filled the party with his own supporters, who backed him in votes.
Stalin used his post as General Secretary, his image as Lenin's loyal follower, the popular idea of Socialism in One Country, and shifting alliances to defeat Trotsky, then Zinoviev and Kamenev, then Bukharin.
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