16.3.6

The Rise of Stalin

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The Rise of Stalin

Lenin was ill in 1922 AD and died in 1924 AD. This led to a power struggle over who would succeed him. It was not certain that Stalin would be the next leader. Other potential leaders included Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev and Bukharin.

Illustrative background for Lenin’s legacyIllustrative background for Lenin’s legacy ?? "content

Lenin’s legacy

  • Lenin led the Bolsheviks (a group of Communists) in a revolution in 1917 AD.
  • Communism is a left-wing ideology which believes that all property should be distributed and shared by a community.
  • After the revolution Russia was thrown into civil war. The Bolsheviks (the Reds) won and formed the Soviet Union.
Illustrative background for Stalin's position at the time of Lenin's deathIllustrative background for Stalin's position at the time of Lenin's death ?? "content

Stalin's position at the time of Lenin's death

  • Stalin was the General Secretary of the Communist Party when Lenin died.
  • Stalin was the calmest and most patriotic of the potential successors. His belief in ‘Socialism in One Country’ was particularly important.
Illustrative background for Stalin's opponentsIllustrative background for Stalin's opponents ?? "content

Stalin's opponents

  • Stalin had several opponents who also wanted to lead the Soviet Union.
  • These included: Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev and Bukharin.
  • There was no clear candidate to succeed Lenin.
Illustrative background for Stalin's rise to powerIllustrative background for Stalin's rise to power ?? "content

Stalin's rise to power

  • Stalin made several political moves to become the leader of the Soviet Union.
  • He sidelined his opponents and made himself look like Lenin’s favourite.
  • He did this by leading Lenin’s funeral.
  • Stalin strengthened his hold over the Communist Party.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

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