Topic 3: Stalin’s Russia
3.1 Why did Stalin gain power in 1924?
Lenin’s legacy and problems of leadership
Who was Lenin?
Lenin moved Russia directly from the stage of Feudalism to the stage of Socialism, rather than Feudalism to Capitalism, and then Socialism; he tried to have a Communist
revolution without Capitalism. On 21 January 1924, Lenin passed away. His funeral was held 6 days after his death on the 27th.
New Economic Policy 1921 (NEP)
One of Stalin’s most popular policies. Lenin established this due to the devastating post-war problems:
1. More than 50% of 17 provinces were starving
2. Steel and textile production was only at 4% of 1913 levels
This brought capitalist ideas back into Russia after the revolution in 1917. Some of the policies:
1. Peasants can keep some of their products after paying tax to the state
2. Small factories were privately owned
3. The most important industries were controlled by the state
Contribution of the death of Lenin to Stalin’s rise to power
Contribution Evidence Explanation
Speech of loyalty “We vow to thee Comrade Lenin, that we shall honorably fulfill This led to the rise of Stalin because he presented himself as the ‘chosen
this commandment”’ one’ who would continue to uphold Lenin’s work and showed that he would
take over for Lenin. This created prestige and respect for Stalin.
He was an opportunist and used Lenin’s death as a method of advancing his
position as he gained immense public support due to his speech which gave
him loyalty associated with Lenin.
Lenin Enrolment As the Party Secretary, since 1922, Stalin had control over the The death of Lenin allowed Stalin to attract new members, members who
membership and enrolment of new party members. were easily manipulated and indoctrinated by Stalin, increasing his
supporting base in the party.
He could appoint, promote and even demote the top 5,500
officials in the Soviet Union. His position as party secretary also gave him the role of the middleman
between the Politburo and the government, this meant that he could easily
He also gave these officials incentives and privileges to lure them manipulate the party or government messages/demands to match his own
into supporting and appreciating him. ambitions.
, He increased the party from 500,000 to over 1 million members
in two years.
The majority of these new members were young and unqualified
– only 8% had received higher education and less than 1% had
completed any form of higher education – thus making it
incredibly easy for Stalin to manipulate.
Stalin was the middleman between the Politburo and the
government, with access to party files and recordings, and
conveying information.
Foundation of Leninism “Foundation of Leninism”: 9 lectures delivered by Stalin at the
Sverdlov University in 1924 to promote Leninism and to present
himself as a loyal disciple of Lenin, as well as Lenin’s successor.
Removed “disloyal” and Trotsky and Zinoviev were expelled from the Communist Party in This elimination of opposition factions from both left and right wings
“factionist” members 1927 for leading opposing factions – Stalin used a Decree to allowed Stalin to gain power as a “true follower of Lenin”.
expel them.
Factionalism: A condition in which a group, organization, government, etc., is split into two or more smaller groups with differing and often opposing opinions or interests
Stalin’s position in the Party
Stalin’s first taste of real power in the Communist Party was in April 1922 when he was assigned the role of General Secretary. Traditionally, the ideas of Communism oppose
those of bureaucracy. However, dealing with the complexities of government forced the party into becoming more centralized. The job description for the General Secretary
was to organize such matters. This position and the growing centralisation of the party put Stalin in a unique position to influence job appointments. Other members of the
party simply saw the role as being “Lenin’s mouthpiece” and remained unthreatened. The job of “Lenin’s mouthpiece” actually became an extremely powerful role when
Lenin’s health deteriorated once more leaving him paralyzed. It was now Stalin who informed the party of what Lenin wanted. One historian pointed out “Thus Stalin – once
Lenin’s creature, raised by him from obscurity – now stood guard over his incapacitated master.” There was no doubt at all that Stalin was already the most powerful of his
rivals in the Communist Party. Using his role as General Secretary also enabled him to remove thousands of supporters of his main rival.
Another mistake made by Trotsky was not turning up to Lenin’s funeral. The funeral was a huge event in Leningrad where millions showed up to mourn the death of their
previous leader. By not showing, Trotsky allowed himself to be open to criticism, especially from Stalin. Attacks from Stalin not only caused the people of Russia to turn
against him but also the members of the Communist Party.
Trotsky also criticized party members at times when he really should’ve been making stronger alliances with them. When Trotsky published the “Lessons of October '', he
attacked Zinoviev and Kamenev, two strong members of the Communist Party. This, once again, allowed Stalin to attack Trotsky making claims of Trotsky being a factionalist
and breaking up the party. Such traits were loathed by Party members due to the 1921 ban and by Lenin which made Trotsky out to be opposing the ways of the previous,
3.1 Why did Stalin gain power in 1924?
Lenin’s legacy and problems of leadership
Who was Lenin?
Lenin moved Russia directly from the stage of Feudalism to the stage of Socialism, rather than Feudalism to Capitalism, and then Socialism; he tried to have a Communist
revolution without Capitalism. On 21 January 1924, Lenin passed away. His funeral was held 6 days after his death on the 27th.
New Economic Policy 1921 (NEP)
One of Stalin’s most popular policies. Lenin established this due to the devastating post-war problems:
1. More than 50% of 17 provinces were starving
2. Steel and textile production was only at 4% of 1913 levels
This brought capitalist ideas back into Russia after the revolution in 1917. Some of the policies:
1. Peasants can keep some of their products after paying tax to the state
2. Small factories were privately owned
3. The most important industries were controlled by the state
Contribution of the death of Lenin to Stalin’s rise to power
Contribution Evidence Explanation
Speech of loyalty “We vow to thee Comrade Lenin, that we shall honorably fulfill This led to the rise of Stalin because he presented himself as the ‘chosen
this commandment”’ one’ who would continue to uphold Lenin’s work and showed that he would
take over for Lenin. This created prestige and respect for Stalin.
He was an opportunist and used Lenin’s death as a method of advancing his
position as he gained immense public support due to his speech which gave
him loyalty associated with Lenin.
Lenin Enrolment As the Party Secretary, since 1922, Stalin had control over the The death of Lenin allowed Stalin to attract new members, members who
membership and enrolment of new party members. were easily manipulated and indoctrinated by Stalin, increasing his
supporting base in the party.
He could appoint, promote and even demote the top 5,500
officials in the Soviet Union. His position as party secretary also gave him the role of the middleman
between the Politburo and the government, this meant that he could easily
He also gave these officials incentives and privileges to lure them manipulate the party or government messages/demands to match his own
into supporting and appreciating him. ambitions.
, He increased the party from 500,000 to over 1 million members
in two years.
The majority of these new members were young and unqualified
– only 8% had received higher education and less than 1% had
completed any form of higher education – thus making it
incredibly easy for Stalin to manipulate.
Stalin was the middleman between the Politburo and the
government, with access to party files and recordings, and
conveying information.
Foundation of Leninism “Foundation of Leninism”: 9 lectures delivered by Stalin at the
Sverdlov University in 1924 to promote Leninism and to present
himself as a loyal disciple of Lenin, as well as Lenin’s successor.
Removed “disloyal” and Trotsky and Zinoviev were expelled from the Communist Party in This elimination of opposition factions from both left and right wings
“factionist” members 1927 for leading opposing factions – Stalin used a Decree to allowed Stalin to gain power as a “true follower of Lenin”.
expel them.
Factionalism: A condition in which a group, organization, government, etc., is split into two or more smaller groups with differing and often opposing opinions or interests
Stalin’s position in the Party
Stalin’s first taste of real power in the Communist Party was in April 1922 when he was assigned the role of General Secretary. Traditionally, the ideas of Communism oppose
those of bureaucracy. However, dealing with the complexities of government forced the party into becoming more centralized. The job description for the General Secretary
was to organize such matters. This position and the growing centralisation of the party put Stalin in a unique position to influence job appointments. Other members of the
party simply saw the role as being “Lenin’s mouthpiece” and remained unthreatened. The job of “Lenin’s mouthpiece” actually became an extremely powerful role when
Lenin’s health deteriorated once more leaving him paralyzed. It was now Stalin who informed the party of what Lenin wanted. One historian pointed out “Thus Stalin – once
Lenin’s creature, raised by him from obscurity – now stood guard over his incapacitated master.” There was no doubt at all that Stalin was already the most powerful of his
rivals in the Communist Party. Using his role as General Secretary also enabled him to remove thousands of supporters of his main rival.
Another mistake made by Trotsky was not turning up to Lenin’s funeral. The funeral was a huge event in Leningrad where millions showed up to mourn the death of their
previous leader. By not showing, Trotsky allowed himself to be open to criticism, especially from Stalin. Attacks from Stalin not only caused the people of Russia to turn
against him but also the members of the Communist Party.
Trotsky also criticized party members at times when he really should’ve been making stronger alliances with them. When Trotsky published the “Lessons of October '', he
attacked Zinoviev and Kamenev, two strong members of the Communist Party. This, once again, allowed Stalin to attack Trotsky making claims of Trotsky being a factionalist
and breaking up the party. Such traits were loathed by Party members due to the 1921 ban and by Lenin which made Trotsky out to be opposing the ways of the previous,
