-
Stalin becomes general secretary of communist party
Stalin is appointed general secretary communist party by the head of the commissary party. This made him be able to dismiss communist party officials. Stalin was not well known didnt seem like a leader, he was appointed general secretary of the communist party. This gave him power to appoint or dismiss party officials, that didn't benefit him or who opposed him later on. This position was crutial because it increased his power even if it wasnt intended to. -
Lenin writes his last testament
Lenin suffers a second stroke and dictates his last political testament. He was politically inactive and did not participate the following months because of his health but he was concerned about political tensions between leading communists so he did a list where he put the strengths and weaknesses of all leading communists, so that everything runs smoothly when he is gone. This is important because Lenin's unhealthy state left him inactive in politics which meant it was easier to manage things -
Triumvirate Creation
Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin formed the triumvirate to prevent Trotsky from rising to power, and from obtaining majority support. Zinoviev and Kamenev’s thought they should succeed Lenin and they feared Trotsky’s rapid rise, so they asked Stalin to help block Trotsky. With the absence of Lenin not being active in the politics the Triumvirates were able to isolate Trotsky. By doing this Stalin was re-elected and started replacing Trotsky’s supporters with other Triumvirs which promoted his rise -
Lenin adds Postcript
Just after lenin wrote his political testament he added a postscript concerned of Stalin's power and recommended his removal to pave an easier way to other allies he wanted to receive his power once he died. This was important because it meant Stalin was gaining power rapidly and he was becoming a threat even to Lenin. -
Illness cause Lenin’s death
Lenin died from stroke and Stalin took advantage and gave Trotsky the wrong date of Lenin's funeral to create suspicion about his absence. This is very important because it created doubt of why Trotsky missed the funeral and therefore decreased his popularity withing the country. -
Central committee keeps Lenin’s testament secret
Lenin's widow reveals his testament to the Central committee and senior Congress delegates. But Zinoviev and Kamenev saved stalin by persuading the Central Committee so they wouldn't act or publish the testament thinking Stalin now would be weakened. However this did not affect him but was important because it kept allowing him to have more power. -
Stalins Ideology
Stalin introduces concept of “socialism in the country” stressing the point of needing peace and stability in the country. Despite the backwardness and isolation the Soviet state could build socialism alone. When Trotsky went against this concept, Stalin accused him of lacking faith in Russia and in its people. This allowed him to diminish Trotsky’s importance, which was crucial to decrease Trotsky power and also to help Stalin later on to be able to use these arguments to remove him completely. -
The united oposition
Trotsky and Zinoviev and Kamenev formed the united opposition , with the support of Lenin's widow, as well as some important party members. But stalin control of party enabled him to ban their meetings and dismiss supporters. He persuaded central committee to remove Zinoviev from Politburo. This meant the opposition feared stalin, so they made peace with him or obeyed his rules, this was important to maintain control. -
Stalin Removes Bukharin
Bukharin made a speech on the fifth anniversary of Lenin’s death where he talked about Lenin’s political testament which clearly states that Stalin should be dismissed. Bukharin's speech and his meeting with Kamenev earlier led Stalin to accuse him of factionalism to the Central Committee. The charge was confirmed and in April Bukharin was removed as editor of Pravda and later from the Politburo. This meant Stalin had almost complete control of the communist party. -
Trotsky is Deported
Stalin decided to make the Politburo expel Trotsky from soviet Russia, he did this because he feared a left-right alliance in the future and also because he thought that his own factions would take sympathy with the opposition. Trotsky was deported to Alma Ata and later on to constantinople (modern day Istanbul) this meant Stalin didn't have to worry about Trotsky's opposition any more, meaning he would be able to reach a state with more power.
