Stalin’s Soviet UnionHow did Stalin rise from an ordinary revolutionary to be the supreme leader of the Soviet Union?
Part 2
Recall previous lessonWe learnt about:
What is COMMUNISMWho was LeninHow Russia became communistThe structure of the USSRMeasures to ensure complete control
Communism
Communism
Founded by Karl MarxAll property and work are COMMUNAL
Needs of society emphasised over needs of wealthy minority who were the rulers then
CommunismA system of social organisation where ALL property is owned by the COMMUNITYEvery person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs.Every one is equal
Who are the main supporters of Communism?
Look at the picture
Who are the main supporters of Communism?
Vladimir LeninLeader of the USSR after the October Revolution in 1917Founder of the Bolshevik Party‘Father of the Revolution’
Lesson ObjectiveWho is Stalin?
Reasons for the rise of Stalin
StalinDuring the revolution, Stalin was the editor of a Bolshevik newspaper, PravdaHe made sure the newspaper supported LeninJoined the Central Committee of the Party and helped LeninIn 1922, Stalin was appointed the Secretary-General of the Communist Party (highest post in the Party)
Lenin’s Death, 19241922, Lenin suffered a stroke and went into semi-retirementStalin as Secretary-General acted as his connection to the worldLenin began to make succession plans………..
Potential SuccessorsAlexei RykovNikolai BukharinLev KamenevGrigory Zinoviev
Potential SuccessorsLeon TrotskyPart of the revolutionIn charge of Foreign Affairs
Unpopular amongst the other Party membersIn charge of Red Army**
Potential SuccessorsJosef StalinSecretary-General of the Communist PartyHis opponents underestimated him and did not consider him a threat
Lenin’s TestamentPrior to his death, Lenin became:
Deeply concerned about factionalism and party politics
Suspicious of Stalin’s characterHe wrote all his concerns in his TESTAMENT. When he died, there was a power struggle for 5 years within the Communist Party.
Lenin’s Testament
Obviously. Stalin is not pleased…
Non-Disclosure of Lenin’s Testament
Testament was read out to all successorsLenin wrote in his Testament to remove Stalin as SG of the Communist PartyLenin also criticised ALL his successorsNone of the members wanted it to be made public for fear of humiliation
Stalin retained position as SG of Communist PartyLINK: Made use of his position for his rise eventually
Who did Lenin prefer?
Stalin Lenin Trotsky
Trotsky’s unpopularityLenin’s right-hand man
Head of the Red Army (Russian Army)He had the support of the Army
Seen as biggest threat by othersVery unpopular with other members of the Politburo
Trotsky’s unpopularityTroika Alliance (Kamenev, Zinoviev, Stalin) aimed to remove Trotsky by DISCREDITING himTrotsky is an outspoken person and had argued with Lenin over several topicsThese arguments were seen as acts of disloyalty to Lenin and Party
Trotsky’s unpopularityTrotsky believed in ‘permanent revolution’
To promote and incite revolutions all over the world
Stalin argued for ‘socialism in one country’Stalin had support of other Party membersTrotsky seen as against Party
Trotsky’s unpopularityAround Lenin’s death, Trotsky fell illToo weak to organise his supportersSlowly excluded from decision-making and crippled his position in the Party
Stalin’s manipulationsPretending to be close to Lenin
Gave Party members and public impression that Lenin liked and trusted himOrganised Lenin’s funeralEstablished as chief mournerPetrograd to LeningradGave Trotsky wrong date of funeralPublic impression is that Stalin is natural successor
Can you spot Stalin?
Lenin’s Mausoleum in 2013
Lenin’s Body
Stalin’s manipulationsControl over Party organisation
As SG he was able to appoint and re-assign Party membersAppoint his supporters to replace Trotsky’s supportersForced Trotsky to resign as head of Red Army in 1925Trotsky expelled in 1927Assassinated in 1940 as he continued to oppose Stalin in exileGained control of the Cheka, later renamed NKVD
NKVDAlso known as Cheka (Russian Secret Police)Cruel and RuthlessMain purpose was to ‘protect Soviet state security’Hunted down Stalin’s opponents
Stalin’s manipulationsExploitation of Ideological division
Moderates and radicalsAllied himself with different ideological divisions to eliminate his opponentsEventually got rid of all opponents and became supreme leader in 1929
The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.
- Stalin
How did Stalin rise to power?
Explain your answer.
Reasons for rise of Stalin
Non-Disclosure of Lenin’s Testament
• Stalin retained SG position• Used it to eliminate opposition
Trotsky’s unpopularity
• Stalin used it to discredit Lenin
Stalin’s Manipulations
• Pretended to be close to Lenin• Control Party Organisation• Exploitation of ideological divisions
A poster created in 1920 commemorating the 1917 revolutionTop: Rykov, Radek, Pokrevsky, Kamenev. Middle: Trotsky, Lenin, Sverdlov. Bottom: Bukharin, Zinoviev, Krylenko, Kollontai, Lunacharsky.
Why do we study about Stalin?
Why do we study about Stalin?
Why do we study about Stalin?
What kind of ruler do you think Stalin was?
Why do we study about Stalin?
Ruled USSR from 1924 – 1953 (29 years)One of the MOST evil ruler of all time56 – 62 million people died ‘unnaturally’ during his reign