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How did Stalin emerge as the sole leader of the Soviet Union?. MAJOR ISSUES. IDEOLOGY: International revolution or socialism in one country? Stalin’s approach is appealing because: It is p ractical Puts control in Soviet hands (not international revolution)
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How did Stalin emerge as the sole leader of the Soviet Union?
MAJOR ISSUES • IDEOLOGY: International revolution or socialism in one country? • Stalin’s approach is appealing because: • It is practical • Puts control in Soviet hands (not international revolution) • Relief from struggle (after the civil war, etc) • ECONOMY: continue the NEP?
1st STEP 1905-1922 • PARTY POSITIONING: • An early Bolshevik (unlike Trotsky) • Editor of Pravda • General Party Secretary (1922) • MANIPULATES LENIN’S FUNERAL
LENIN DIES 1924 • Lenin’s Testament released by Krupskaya • Stalin vs Trotsky for leadership
2nd Step: LEFT ALLIANCE Communist Party becomes even more centralized. No more Democratic Centralism
TROTSKY - Demoted • Trotsky and his Left Opposition supporters lose influence, • They will not create splits in the party because of the ban on factionalism of 1921 • He gave up his positions
3RD Step – RIGHT ALLIANCE • Supports the NEP • Cooperation with peasants • Kamenev and Zinoviev oppose: call for non-confidence vote, the end of the NEP and a tough line on the peasants
UNITED OPPOSITION 1926 • Greater Democracy • Collectivization • International Revolution
TROTSKY - EXILED • Failed attempts to influence the party (Stalin in control) • Accused of factionalism – all expelled • Kamenev and Zinoviev go back to support Stalin • Trotsky deported – his books are no longer published
4th Step: Defeats the Right • 1927 FOOD CRISIS • STARTS FORCED GRAIN COLLECTIONS • ATTACKS THE KULAKS AND VIOLENCE AGAINST PEASANTS RIGHT AND LEFT WERE NOT ABLE TO FULLY UNITE AGAINST STALIN
TROTSKY – DEPORTED 1929 • Stalin fears support for Trotsky will grow with his new policies: he is expelled from the country • Bukharin loses positions of power – expelled from Politburo
Was Stalin’s rise to power due to his strength or his rivals weakness?Pgs 221-225, notes