Why Was Stalin Able to Become Leader of Russia by 1926?

Why was Stalin able to become leader of Russia by 1926? (7) In January 1924, Lenin, the Leader of the Russian communist party died. Trotsky, the leader of the Red army seemed like Lenin’s successor at the time as he played a major role in the civil war. Meanwhile, Stalin held two positions: People’s commissar for Nationalities (responsible for the different nationalities in the Soviet empire) and General Secretary (responsible for the day to day running of the party. He was also a member of the Politburo, the party leaders who ran the country after Lenin’s death.

They consist of Stalin, Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev, Bukharin, Rykov and Tomsky. As Lenin’s funeral was organized by Stalin since he was regarded as the party’s administrator because of his position as General Secretary, Stalin was able to deliver the oration. This enabled him to portray himself as the chief mourner, and heir to Lenin. Stalin also telegrammed Trotsky the wrong date. Many saw Trotsky’s absent as disrespect for Lenin who had assumed a God-like status so his reputation was damaged. As a result, Lenin’s funeral gained Stalin support and made Trotsky unpopular, contributing to his success in being the leader of Russia.

Apart from that, the fact that the Politburo decided not to publish Lenin’s Testament which contains criticisms of them also contributes to Stalin’s success. This is because in his testament, Lenin had wanted Stalin removed from his position. Members of the party may not have supported Stalin if they had read the testament containing criticisms of him. They would probably support Lenin’s desire for Stalin to be removed from his position. Apart from enabling Stalin to gain support during Lenin’s funeral, his position as General Secretary also contributes to his success in becoming Russia’s leader in many ways.

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As it enabled him to access personal files of party members, Stalin gained information which he could use against his rivals. Furthermore, it also gave him the right to appoint new party members so he appointed his supporters. During Lenin Enrolment between 1923-5, over half a million new members joined the party as it gave them privileges. This made them loyal to Stalin as he had allowed them into the party. New members could easily identify with Stalin because of his humble, peasant background and support for Stalin grew. On the other hand, Trotsky was unpopular.

He came from a wealthy Jewish background and had a late conversion to Bolshevism. He was an intellectual who appeared arrogant. He also did not cultivate support but worked alone. This could be because of his poor judgment regarding other people. Trotsky also believed in the ‘Permanent Revolution’ but in contrast, Stalin promoted ‘Socialism in one country’. Many feared that Trotsky’s idea of world revolution would ruin Russia so support increased for Stalin. In 1924, Trotsky said the party’s bureaucracy was too big and was working for its own benefit.

He was isolated by Stalin as Stalin had joined with Zinoviev and Kamenev to form the ‘Triumvirate’. This happened before Lenin’s death and the aim of this alliance is to prevent Trotsky from being the next party leader. They campaigned against Trotsky by publishing his disagreement s with Lenin during 1903-7. They also used Stalin’s position as General Secretary and the 1921 ban against factions to remove Trotsky’s supporters from their influential positions. This led to Trotsky being constantly isolated and outvoted.

In 1925, Trotsky was forced to resign from his position of Commissar for War. Stalin, as a member of the ‘Triumvirate’ has partly defeated the Left Opposition. However, In April 1926, Zinoviev and Kamenev realized that Stalin is exploiting his position as he used it to appoint his supporters into the party. They joined forces with Trotsky to form the United Opposition. They planned to restore Party and Soviet democracy and end the NEP (New Economic Policy). They were defeated in 1926 at the central committee meeting because Stalin called in his support and banned them from speaking.

He also used his control of Party Congresses and elections to outvote them. They worked secretly but were then accused of factionalism (breaking the party) and were expelled from the party. The United Opposition was successfully defeated by Stalin and the party is now full of his supporters. As a conclusion, Stalin’s political schemes with the aid which his position as General Secretary offered enabled him to remove his rivals, gain support and power so he was able to become leader of Russia by 1926. Beatrice 11. 1

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