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Ban on Factions
The ban on factions within the Communist Party as well as the ban on opposition parties against the soviets established during the 10th Party Congress after the Kronstadt Rising was set by Lenin and his supporters. This was important to Stalin's rise in power as it allowed for Stalin to later set this ban permanently and freely incarcerate opposition members legally. -
Stalin Appointed General Secretary
Stalin is appointed general secretary of the Communist Party by Lenin. This was important to Stalin's rise to power as his position as general secretary gave him the power to later appoint his supporters in the Communist Party and dismiss people who opposed him. -
Triumvirate is Created
Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin form an informal political alliance called a triumvirate. The triumvirate was formed in order to prevent Trotsky from obtaining a majority support and subsequently gaining control of Russia after Lenin's death. This alliance is significant to Stalin's rise in power as it gave him allies which would help him to defeat his main opposition, paving the way for his own individual triumph. -
Lenin's Death
Lenin dies naturally from a series of strokes. This is important to Stalin's rise as it was Lenin's death which allowed an opening for a position of power to arise, and the subsquent replacement of Lenin by Stalin to occur. -
Lenin's Postscript is Concealed
Lenin's Postscript which was written after his Testament is kept secret by the Central Committee. This postscript stated Lenin's suggestion that Stalin should be removed from his post in the Communist Party, and his doubts about him. It's important this was kept secret as if this had been read people may have opposed him more and he may not have become so powerful. -
14th Congress
The 14th Congress was a meeting for the Communist Party members in which Stalin made sure the majority was in his and Bukharin's favor, both in the Central Committee and Politburo. He did this as factions had emerged within the triumvirs, and he wanted to gain power for himself while defeating Zinoviev and Kamenev. This event is important to his rise in power as ensuring political support made his being elected an inevitable outcome. -
Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev Expelled
Trotsky and Zinoviev are expelled from the Communist Party while Kamenev is expelled from the Central Committee. This occurs because of Stalin's influence within the Communist Party, and the majority being in his favor and not in Trotsky's. It is important as this leaves him with almost no opposition from the left. -
United Opposition Ends
The United Opposition is ended after Zinoviev and Kamenev fear their opposition would have an end result of splitting up the Communist Party and ruining Lenin's cause. This is important to Stalin's rise in power as this was the major opposition group against Stalin in that time, and it being shut down and the leaders being complacent to his policies gave them less credibility against Stalin and gave Stalin more power over oppositors. -
Trotsky Deported
Trotsky is deported forcibly to Alma-Ata, most likely by the influence of Stalin, because of his open opposition of Stalin and his policies, and his involvement with the United Opposition. This is important to Stalin's rise to power as Trotsky was his main opposition in that time, and this completely removed any competition he had within the Communist Party. -
Bukharin Removed From the Politburo
Bukharin is removed from the Politburo (by Stalin's political influence) after having given a speech that spoke of Lenin's request to remove Stalin from the government. This is important to Stalin's rise to power as Bukharin being removed from the Politburo marked the defeat of the right which was what Bukharin represented, and left Stalin with almost full control of the Communist Party.
