How did Stalin rise
to be the supreme
leader of the Soviet
Union (USSR)?
1. Reasons for Stalin’s rise to power.
•
Analyse the circumstances
that contributed to the rise
of authoritarian regime
2. Impact of Stalin’s dictatorship on
the lives of the Russian people.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of the lesson you should be able to:
• Understand the background of Russia in the
1920s
• Explain the reasons for why Stalin rose to power
▫ Analyse the circumstances that contributed to the
failure of democracy and the rise of authoritarian
regime
What is Russia?
• Russia is the largest country in Europe
• Before WWI, Russia was ruled by the
Romanov family (Tsar) for centuries
• The Russian Empire in the early 20th
Century comprised many states with
people of different ethnicities
• Largely made up of peasants (80%) and
small number of elite (20%)
• Poor lived and worked in appalling
conditions
• In 1920, Russia was the first Communist
government set up in the world.
What is a Communist government?
• A government based on Communist ideals.
• Communism is an ideology which enforces that
all means of production are equally owned by all
members of the state.
• Communism aims to get rid of the Capitalist
class system which worsens inequality among
people.
• Father of communism: Karl Marx (Socialist)
• Examples of communist governments in recent
history are USSR, China, Vietnam, Cuba and
North Korea.
What is a Communist government?
So…what are the
pros and cons of
Communism?
Background to Russia before 1920
Russian Society Pre WWI
Abdication of the Tsar
(Romanovs)
How Marxists view Russian
society under the Tsars (1901)
The Royal family (Tsars) say “We
rule you”
The clergy say “We fool you.”
The army say “We shoot you.”
The capitalists say “We do the
eating.”
The workers at the bottom “work
for all” and “feed all”.
TSAR
Key events in Russia before 1920
DATES/YEAR
EVENTS
1894
Nicholas II becomes Tsar of Russia.
1905
A state duma (national assembly) was created.
1st August 1914
First World War began.
23rd February 1917 Women protesters in Petrograd. This protests were joined by
(February
workers and student protesters later on.
Revolution)
2nd March 1917
Nicholas II abdicated the throne.
3rd April 1917
Lenin returns to Russia from exile.
5th July 1917
Bolshevik leaders such as Lenin fled to Finland with the help of
Stalin and Trotsky was arrested.
August 1917
Trotsky was released from prison to defend key points of the city.
25th September 1917
Bolsheviks gained control over Petrograd.
Key events in Russia before 1920
DATES/YEAR
EVENTS
10th October 1917
Lenin returns to Petrograd.
25th October 1917
(October
Revolution)
The Bolshevik revolution began.
November 1917
The Russian Civil War between the Red Army and the White
Army.
End of 1920
Bolsheviks won the Russian Civil War.
30th December 1922
The Soviet Union was created.
Russian Revolutions in 1917
February Revolution
• Russians went on a revolution in
Feb 1917 in the midst of WW1
▫ Russia was performing
disastrously in the war due to the
lack of weapons
▫ Russians were also terribly
unhappy with their living and
working conditions
▫ Mounting frustrations led to
outbursts of “spontaneous”
revolutions in the capital city,
Petrograd
▫ Ended with the abdication of the
Tsar
▫ Establishment of a Provisional
Government
October Revolution
• Led by the Bolshevik Party
▫ Leader was Vladimir Lenin
 Leon Trotsky
 Josef Stalin
▫ It wanted to wrest power
from the provisional
government
 Russia remained stubbornly in
WW1 – much to the sufferings
of the people
▫ Overthrew the government
and established the first
Communist government in
the world
Russia under Lenin
• Ended Russian involvement in WWI
• Civil War 1918-1921
• Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) –
refer to map on page 35
• War Communism; New Economic Policy (NEP)
(p. 46)
Russian Civil Wars 1918-1922
• After the success of the
October Revolution, Russia
(the Bolshevik Government)
entered into civil wars
• Whites vs Reds
▫ Whites = anti-Communists
that made up of Russians and
the foreign powers (i.e.
Britain and France)
▫ Reds = Communists
• The Bolsheviks won and
Russia became a Communist
state
▫ Leader = Vladimir Lenin
Creation of Soviet Union
• In 1922, the Bolsheviks declared Russia as the Union of the
Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR)
▫ 1922 - 1991
▫ Made up of the countries in Eastern Europe
▫ Led by the Communist Party
Stalin concluded:
Let us hope, comrades, that by forming our
Union Republic we shall create a reliable
bulwark against international capitalism, and
that the new Union State will be another
decisive step towards the union of the working
people of the whole world into a World Soviet
Socialist Republic.
What were the reasons that led to the
rise of Stalin?
• What was the circumstance that gave rise to Stalin?
▫
Death of Lenin in January 1924
 Did not appoint a successor
• What were the reasons that contributed to the rise of
Stalin?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Non disclosure of Lenin’s testament
Trotsky’s weaknesses
Stalin’s strengths
Stalin’s cunning character
a) Created image that he was close to Lenin, tricked
Trotsky
b) Stalin made use of his position in the Politburo
c) Stalin’s ability to play power politics
What were the reasons that led to the
rise of Stalin?
• Potential candidates that could have succeeded
Lenin:
Groupwork (Gallery walk)
• All students are to read page 39 of the
textbook
• Each group will take on the role of one potential
candidate
• Each group will then fill up a table on the
candidate and argue why he is the best person to
succeed Lenin (10 min)
• Gallery Walk – one group will send out one
student to present to visiting students (3 mins
per group)
Non-disclosure of Lenin’s Political
Testament
• 1922: Lenin suffered a stroke
and went into semi-retirement
• Stalin took the opportunity to
visit him often
▫ Presented himself as Lenin’s
connection to the rest of the
world
▫ But the reality was that he
was often in disagreement
and Lenin was doubtful of
Stalin’s character and
ambitious
Non-disclosure of Lenin’s Political
Testament
• Lenin’s testament was read out at a meeting of
the Central Executive Committee, where all of
Lenin’s potential successors were present
• However, the Party agreed that it must not be
made public
▫ Criticisms of all of them
• Decided to ignore Lenin’s warning
Lenin’s Testament
“Comrade Stalin, having become Secretary-General, has unlimited
authority concentrated in his hands, and I am not sure whether he
will always be capable of using that authority with sufficient
caution. Comrade Trotsky, on the other hand, as his struggle
against the C.C. on the question of the People's Commissariat of
Communications has already proved, is distinguished not only by
outstanding ability. He is personally perhaps the most capable man
in the present C.C., but he has displayed excessive self-assurance…
Stalin is too rude and this defect, although quite tolerable in our
midst and in dealing among us Communists, becomes intolerable
in a Secretary-General. That is why I suggest that the comrades
think about a way of removing Stalin from that post and appointing
another man in his stead…”
Explain how the non-disclosure of Lenin’s
testament led to Stalin’s rise in power
Therefore, Stalin benefitted from this situation
because his true personality was not revealed to
the public and he could still keep his post as
Secretary-General. Furthermore, as Trotsky was seen
as a bigger threat at this stage, many did not consider
Lenin’s criticisms of Stalin to be of significance. By
keeping his post as Secretary –General, Stalin was
then able to eliminate his enemies and opponents.
He also used the opportunity to replace them with
people loyal to him in the Communist party.
Therefore, Stalin was able to rise to power as a
result of the circumstances at that time.
• What were the
reasons that led to the
rise of Stalin?
Leon Trotsky’s
weaknesses
•Personal weaknesses - arrogant &
aloof
•Lacked political skills – didn’t
foster support among fellow
Communist leaders
•Radical & potentially divisive views
– “Permanent Revolution”
• In contrast to Stalin’s “socialism
in one country”
•Poor public perception – seen as
outsider & lacking party loyalty
•Absent for key meetings & events
(Lenin’s funeral)
•Remained silent on Lenin’s
criticism of Stalin in Lenin’s
Testament
Explain how Trotsky’s weaknesses
led to Stalin’s rise in power
• Therefore, due to Trotsky’s arrogance and
ideological beliefs, many people started to view
Stalin as the more acceptable leader of the Soviet
Union. They felt that Trotsky was overconfident
and complacent, unable to empathise with the
needs of the people. Thus, he was not viewed
favourably by party members lost their support
subsequently. In turn, Trotsky’s supporters
turned to give Stalin their support, making him
more popular.
What were the reasons that
led to the rise of Stalin?
Stalin’s
strengths
•Editor of Pravda
•Opportunist – 1919, used
role as Head of Peasants’
Inspectorate to familiarise
himself with workings of
government.
•Promoted through the
government ranks quickly to
the Orgburo, Politburo &
General Secretary.
Stalin’s strengths
Ogburo [Party
administration
Department]
1. Controlled
appointments
within Party
2. Placed supporters
in key positions
3. Made
appointments &
dispensed
favourites to
regional party
secretaries
GENERAL
SECRETARY
1. Controlled business
of Politburo (policy
making body of
Communist Party)
2. Controlled agendas
& discussions
3. Controlled
information sent
out to party
members
What were the reasons that led to the rise of Stalin?
Stalin’s cunning character
▫ Tricked Trotsky
 Told Trotsky that the funeral would be held on
another day
 Trotsky failed to turn up for Lenin’s funeral
▫ Created the image that he was always close
to Lenin
 Appeared in pictures taken with Lenin
 By being the chief mourner at Lenin’s funeral
Explain how Stalin’s cunning
character led to his rise
• Helped portray an image of being close to Lenin.
This would make him look like Lenin’s natural
successor to the people. This made Stalin more
popular to the Russians. The Russians were then
more likely to support him leading to his rise to
power as they identified him as Lenin’s rightful
successor.
• What were the reasons
that led to rise of Stalin?
Control of Party
Organisation
•Controlled selection of
party delegates to annual
congresses where policy
decided and Central
Committee chosen
•Deliberately chose
delegates hostile to
opponents, e.g. Trotsky
(1924 congress)
•Stalin’s made use of his
position and formed
alliances with powerful
supporters, e.g. Zinoviev &
Kamenev
Explain how Stalin’s control of the
organisation led to his rise
• Since they owed their position to him, they would be
on his side (pledged allegiance) regarding any
decisions to be made, such as the removal of Trotsky
from his post as the head of the Red Army in 1925
and his eventual expulsion from the Party in 1927.
In addition, Stalin also gained control of the Cheka,
later renamed as NKVD, which allowed him further
to monitor and eliminate his opponents. This meant
that eventually, there would be no one to oppose
Stalin and his decisions.
Let’s return to our table of
potential successors of Lenin
• Are there any candidates that you can group
together?
• Did they support/not support a certain policy?
• Did any dislike the same person?
Stalin’s ability to play power politics
Took Advantage of the ideological split in the party to form alliances
Left Wing
•Individuals like Zinoviev, Kamenev
•Liked Trotsky but didn’t want a
dictatorship
•Liked traditional Bolshevik
ideals
•Suspicious of NEP & return of
capitalism
•‘Permanent Revolution’
Right Wing
•Individuals like Bukharin
•Liked NEP
•Liked industrialisation &
expansion of Russian economy
•‘Socialism in one country’
Explain how Stalin’s exploitation of
the political divide led to his rise
• Stalin was able to emerge as the winner in the
leadership contest by 1929 because he exploited
the ideological divisions within the party to
eliminate his competitors. For example, he
manipulated the politburo debates to use
Kamenev and Zinoviev as pawns to remove
Trotsky. Stalin subsequently switched alliances
to deal with Kamenev and Zinoviev. As such, he
outsmarted all his rivals to ensure he was the
only victor in the power struggle.
AfL: Summary of Stalin’s Cunning Character
Pretended to be the
closest to Lenin
Control over Party
organisation
Exploitation of ideological
divisions
• Gave Party members
impression that Lenin
favoured and trusted
him.
• Organised Lenin’s
funeral and established
himself as the chief
mourner.
• Prevented Trotsky from
attending Lenin’s funeral
by giving him the wrong
date.
• Hence, Stalin portrayed
himself as the natural
successor to Lenin.
• Stalin: Secretary-General
of Communist Party
• Had the authority to
appoint and re-assign
Party members
• Used his position to
replace allies of his
opponents
• Controlled the Cheka—
renamed it People’s
Commissariat for
Internal Affairs (NKVD)
• Hence, Trotsky support
base shrank.
• Stalin had Trotsky
expelled from the Party
in 1927.
• Communist Party split
into two main groups
• Stalin took advantage of
these ideological
divisions to eliminate his
competitors.
• He allied himself with
both sides at different
times.
• With his political
opponents and
competitors discredited
or executed, Stalin
emerged the supreme
leader of the Soviet
Union in 1929.
• Let’s Revise – Stalin’s 6
steps to power!
Step 1
Tricked Leon Trotsky
into not turning up for
Lenin’s funeral.
• Let’s Revise – Stalin’s 6
steps to power!
Step 2
Lenin’s Political
Testament was not
read to the Russian
people.
• Let’s Revise – Stalin’s 6
steps to power!
Step 3
1.
In 1924, 13th Party
Congress, Zinoviev &
Kamenev joined forces
with Stalin to defeat
Trotsky.
2. Stalin (party secretary)
packed Congress with
supporters.
3. Trotsky lost the vote
due to his support for
‘ban on factions’ and
soon his job as
Commissar for the War.
• Let’s Revise – Stalin’s 6
steps to power!
Step 4
1. 1924, Zinoviev &
Kamenev attacked
Trotsky on his
support for Lenin.
2. Trotsky published
‘Lessons of October’
challenging their
loyalty to 1917
Revolution.
3. Stalin sat back &
watched opponents
destroy each other.
• Let’s Revise – Stalin’s 6
steps to power!
Step 5
1. 1926, Stalin turned on
Zinoviev & Kamenev,
joining forces with
Bukharin and the right of
the party attracted by
nationalist ‘Socialism in
One Country’ policy.
2. Stalin’s supporters packed
the Congress and Zinoviev
and Kamenev lost vote of
no confidence & their jobs
in the Politburo.
3. Trotsky, Kamenev &
Zinoviev formed ‘United
Opposition’ movement and
in 1927 expelled from party.
• Let’s Revise – Stalin’s 6
steps to power!
Step 6
1. 1928, Stalin
attacked Bukharin
and supporters of
the NEP.
2. Proposed rapid
industrialisation &
militarised labour
(views of the left he
has smashed!)
3. Bukharin, Rykov &
Tomsky out-voted,
expelled from
Politburo
What happened to Leon Trotsky?
Out of all the
factors, which
factor played the
biggest role in
paving the way for
his rise to power?