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Reasons for Rise of Stalin (Stalin's Manipulations (Stalin's…
Reasons for Rise of Stalin
Non-Disclosure of Lenin's Testament
Testament
voiced criticisms
on Lenin's leading successors and was extremely clear in advising that Stalin be removed from position as Secretary General
Was agreed upon
not to make content of testament public
, no notes to be made & no mention of it in future meetings
meant that Stalin was able to
retain position
as Secretary General which he used to remove his opponents
helped
retain his reputation
of trusted aide of Lenin which helped him garner support
Weakness of Stalin's Rivals
Weakness of Trotsky
Politically naive & disinterested in gathering support
[disinterest in gathering support]
regarded as Lenin's right-hand man &
head of Red Army
(v.pops among Bolsheviks)
had support of army as he had led them to victory against Whites in
Civil War (1918-1921)
despite popularity, disinterest in gathering support
narrowed support base, disadvantage in power struggle
[politically naive]
politically naive & failed to counter Stalin's cunning moves
silence on non-disclosure of Lenin's testament
believing Stalin about Lenin's funeral
undermined position in party,
easier for Stalin to gain support & remove him from posts
Outspoken, arrogant, unpopular in Politburo
[outspoken]
criticised Lenin's NEP
and increasing control of Party by Politburo & central exco
criticisms openly challenged organisation and policies and seen as
acts of disloyalty
undermine position , lost support, disadvantaged in power struggle
[arrogant&unpopular]
position as head of red army gave him great power but unpopular as he was seen as the
greatest threat
advocated
Permanent Revolution
(start communist revolutions around the world) was not supported as many were weary of more fighting
less practical and nationalistic compared to Stalin's
Socialism in one country
(strengthening Russia first)
unpopularity made opponents willing to
ally tgt to discredit
and remove him
-
ideas affected credibility
, lost support, narrow support base, disadvantaged in power struggle
Weaknesses of Stalin's political opponents
underestimated
Stalin, did not see him as a strong contender to succeed Lenin, did not see him as a threat
Stalin's Manipulations (Stalin's Strength)
Pretended to be close to Lenin
Stalin
visited Lenin often
after he fell sick, was often photographed tgt, portrayed as loyal & trusted aide
organised Lenin's funeral making it a grand affair, assigned himself as
Chief Mourner
arranged for city Petrograd to be renamed
Leningrad
gave party members and public
impression
that Lenin favoured and trusted Stalin
strengthened support
for Stalin
strengthened legitimacy
and claim as natural successor
Exploited ideological division within the party
moderates
(followed Lenin's ideology closely) vs
radicals
(new ideas, challenging system)
Stalin allied himself with both sides at different times
allied with moderate politburo (Kamenev&Zinoviev) to *get rid of Trotskywho was seen as radical
broke alliance with K&V convincing moderates that they were plotting with Trotsky to overthrow govt, isolated & discredited them
sided with radicals to get rid of moderates (Bukharin & Rykov) as they had challenged Stalin's rapid industrialization & wanted return of NEP, B&R were removed
weakened unity
of party which Stalin was able to capitalise on to
form alliances
to play members off against each other, eliminating them one by one
Control over party organisation as Secretary-General
As Secretary-General had great power & authority to
appoint and re-assign party members
used his power to
appoint supporters to impt posts
, key officials were loyal to him, controlling central Party machine
replace Trotsky's allies
with his own
controlled local Party committees,
spread influence broadly
strengthen
power over Communist Party machinery
&
prevent opponents from extending influence
(1925) Party Meeting with his supporters at which they voted to remove Trotsky from posts