Soviet Union: How did Stalin rise to power?

Question 1

How did Stalin keep his position as Secretary-General?

Answer 1

Lenin’s Testament was not revealed to the public as it contained criticism of the entire Communist Party

Question 2

Why was Trotsky unpopular?

Answer 2

Was seen as a big threat (support and Head of the army), viewed as outspoken and arrogant, troika alliance discredited him to remove him

Question 3

What manipulations did Stalin pull?

Answer 3

He pretended to be close to Lenin, controlled the Party organisation and exploited ideological divisions

Question 4

How did he reorganize the party to his advantage?

Answer 4

He could appoint and re-assign Party members, replace the allies of his opponents with his own. He later gained control of the Cheka.

Question 5

How did pretending to be close to Lenin make Stalin popular?

Answer 5

He made it appear that he was close to Lenin and organised his funeral, and established himself as chief mourner. Gave Trotsky the wrong date to make him late and miss it.

Question 6

How did exploitation of ideological divisions help Stalin?

Answer 6

He allied himself with both at different times, allied with moderates to expel Trotsky and isolate Kamenev+Zinoviev, allied with radicals to attack the moderates against him