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Reasons for Stalin's Rise to Power - Coggle Diagram
Reasons for Stalin's Rise to Power
Non Disclosure of Testament
Lenin suffered a stroke and retired in 1922
Stalin often visited Lenin to act as his connection
however, they often quarreled
Lenin became suspicious of Stalin true motive
Lenin made his views in the Testament
voiced criticisms on leading successors
was clear on advising the removal of Stalin from his position
When Lenin died in 1924, Testament was read out
members of the meeting decided not to disclose the Testament, as Lenin had criticised each of them
some members felt Trotsky was a greater threat
As a result, the Testament did not achieve what Lenin had wanted, and Stalin retained his position, which later used for rise of power
Pretended to be close to Stalin
Gave the general public and Party members that Lenin favoured Stalin and trusted him
After Lenin died
Stalin organized a grand funeral
ordered Lenin's body to be embalmed and displayed
Stalin gave the funeral speech himself, establishing himself as Chief Mourner, showing sorrow over loss of Lenin
Stalin arranged the city to be called 'Leningrad' in Lenin's honour
kept Trotsky from attending the funeral by giving him the wrong date
makes the Russian people think Stalin was the natural successor to Lenin
Red Army
Trotsky was one of the strongest competitors that Stalin faced
Trotsky was head of the Red Army
the support of the army gave Trotsky great power and was thus seen as biggest threat
it made Trotsky unpopular
Stalin, Kamenev and Zinoviev formed an alliance to remove Trotsky from power by discrediting him
Trotsky was very outspoken and had argued with Lenin and the Party
E.g Trotsky criticised Lenin New Economic Policy and increasing control of the Party
These criticisms challenged the organisation and policies of the Party
was seen as acts of disloyalty to Lenin and the Party decisions
Exploitation of ideological divisions
Members of the Communist Party were divided
moderates
follows Lenin leadership and ideology closely
radicals
formed new ideas and challenged the system
Stalin took advantage of the ideological divisions and ally himself within both sides at different times
Stalin broke alliance from Kamenev and Zinoviev
convinced moderates that they were plotting with Trotsky, which ended up in them discredited and isolated
Stalin switched over to support the radicals
Bukharin and Rykov ,opposed Stalin's measures e.g rapid industrialisation
rest of Politburo sided with Stalin and removed both Bukharin and Rykov