Understanding Stalin's Rise to Power by 1929: A Historical Analysis
TITLE
Analyse the reasons for Stalin gaining power by 1929.
ESSAY
Stalin's rise to power in the Soviet Union by 1929 can be attributed to a combination of factors that allowed him to outmaneuver his political rivals and consolidate control over the Communist Party. Despite not being seen as a natural successor to Lenin, Stalin capitalized on his positions within the Party and his strategic acumen to navigate the complex political landscape of post-revolutionary Russia.
One key aspect of Stalin's ascendancy was his role during the Russian Civil War, where he distinguished himself by building a base of support among both the military and the Party. By suppressing White Counterrevolutionaries and bandits, Stalin exhibited his loyalty to the Bolshevik cause and earned the trust of his superiors. Lenin, recognizing the threat posed by other potential successors like Trotsky, strategically employed Stalin to secure his own position while unknowingly paving the way for Stalin's rise.
Stalin's appointment as General Secretary in 1921 was a pivotal moment in his consolidation of power. This position granted him significant influence within the Party and allowed him to cultivate a network of loyalists. Despite Lenin's initial suspicions of Stalin, the latter's popularity among rank-and-file Party members grew steadily. Stalin's pragmatic approach, combined with his appeal to the common people, set him apart from intellectual heavyweights like Lenin and Trotsky.
The turning point came with Lenin's debilitating health and Stalin's opportunistic actions. By isolating Lenin and seizing control of the Party machinery, Stalin solidified his position as the de facto successor to Lenin. Lenin's Testament, which criticized Stalin's character and called for his removal, was suppressed by Stalin's allies to prevent any threat to his ascension.
Stalin's shrewd maneuvering and ideological differences with rivals like Trotsky further solidified his control over the Party. His advocacy for 'Socialism in One Country' resonated with Party members and marginalized the opposition. By strategically leveraging Party unity laws and exploiting anti-Semitism against Trotsky, Stalin effectively sidelined his opponents and consolidated power.
By 1929, Stalin's dominance was undeniable, as he purged dissenting voices from the Politburo and the Party. His ruthless tactics, combined with strategic alliances and ideological positioning, enabled him to eliminate rivals such as Trotsky and Bukharin. Stalin's quest for total control culminated in his transformation into a de facto dictator, setting the stage for his authoritarian rule over the Soviet Union.
SUBJECT
HISTORY
PAPER
A LEVEL
NOTES
Analyse the reasons for Stalin gaining power by 1929. Stalin rose to this unprecedented level of power as a result of his capabilities and his understanding of the workings of the Communist Party. Stalin translated these strengths into total control of the Soviet Union after the Russian Civil War (1917–20).
Stalin was not the natural successor of Vladimir Lenin, but he was able to use his position within the Soviet Communist Party to become the undisputed leader of the Soviet Union. Stalin made his reputation during the Russian Civil War. He was appointed as a Political Commissar to several Generals and ensured that they were loyal to the Bolsheviks. Eventually, he was given a military command and brutally suppressed White Counterrevolutionaries and bandits.
Lenin was worried about the influence of Trotsky, and he employed Stalin to build up a base of support for him. Stalin did this but also at the same time, built up a body of supporters that were loyal to him in the Party. In 1921, Stalin was appointed to the position of General Secretary. This position gave him great power in the Party. Stalin created a network of supporters in the Party.
Lenin became suspicious of Stalin and was beginning to mistrust his former protégée. Despite Lenin’s doubts, Stalin began to grow popular with the rank-and-file Party members. Unlike Lenin and Trotsky, he was not an intellectual and had the common touch, and he was well-liked by many. In 1922, after surgery, Lenin had a stroke and many feared that he would not have long to live. Lenin was largely confined to a country retreat and cut off from politics. Stalin, the General Secretary of the Communist Party, was one of the few people who still had access to him.
Stalin used his position to cut Lenin off from the party and effectively to isolate him. He knew that Lenin’s disliked him because Lenin perceived him as cruel and authoritarian. As the relationship between Lenin and Stalin deteriorated, Lenin dictated his Testament. This Testament was, in effect, his analysis of the current Bolshevik Part, the future of the Revolution and an indictment of Stalin's character. Lenin called for the removal of Stalin as General Secretary. Before Lenin could publish the Testament, he suffered a heart attack and was paralyzed.
Stalin received the Testament from one of Lenin’s secretaries, who was his agent. Stalin repressed Lenin’s criticism of him. If the Testament had come to light Stalin’s career would have been finished. Allies of Stalin colluded to repress all mention of the document. Lenin died of a suspected stroke on January 21st, 1924. Stalin was given the honour of organizing the official funeral. Stalin also gave an oration at the funeral, despite the opposition of Lenin’s window. Stalin under the rules of the Party was now the de-facto successor of Lenin. However, the party was not under his control, he had to share power with a collection of other Soviet leaders, including Trotsky, Zinoviev, and Kamenev.
Stalin was officially the leader of the Communist party, but to many in the Party, he was only a figurehead. Many dismissed him as a nonentity and a political figure of no real substance. Many prominent Bolsheviks had always underestimated Stalin because he was not well educated. Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev all saw themselves as the logical choice as the successor of Lenin. However, they were not as popular as they believed, and that Stalin was very popular with the ordinary Party member.
Stalin was shrewd enough not to appear to be seeking the leadership of the Party. Furthermore, Stalin publicly denounced Kamenev and Zinoviev when they tried to involve him in a conspiracy against Trotsky in 1925. The rivalry between Trotsky and Stalin was not only personal because both men had radically different views on the nature of Communism. More importantly, they held antithetical ideas on the future of the worldwide Communist revolt.
Influenced by Marx, the Bolsheviks believed that there was going to be a world-wide Communist Revolution. Stalin began advocating ‘Socialism in One Country,’ which says that the Bolsheviks should focus building communism in the countries they already controlled rather than spreading the revolution. Stalin placed himself in ideological opposition to Trotsky. The Party accepted Stalin’s position, and this meant that Trotsky was increasingly marginalised.
He then decided to organize public protests, along with others, against Stalin’s growing control of the Party. However, Stalin, employed a law passed by Lenin, ordering unity in the Party (Ban on Factions). Stalin asserted that Trotsky, was trying to split the party and this ploy managed to side-line Trotsky even further. Another factor, in the growing isolation of Leon Trotsky, was his Jewish heritage. There was a great deal of antisemitism in Russian, and this made Trotsky unpopular.
By 1927, Stalin was so powerful that he could force Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev from the Politburo and later expelled from the Bolshevik Party. Trotsky was forced into exile. Increasingly, Stalin appointed his loyalists to the Politburo. Many of Lenin’s former lieutenants realized that Stalin was making himself a de-facto dictator. Bukharin led the opposition to Stalin in the Politburo. He opposed Stalin’s policy of rapid industrialization. Stalin prevailed, and later he had Bukharin expelled as he turned against the New Economic Policy.