Stalins Rise to Power essays

Stalin's Rise to Power essays Stalins character was the main reason for his rise to power Just prior to Vladimir Lenins death in 1924, a power struggle for authority over communist Russia came between the leaders of the Bolshevik regime, because there was no logical successor to Lenin. The members of the Politburo, who were divided between those on the right and those of the left, were the main players in this battle, particularly Bukharin, Zinoviev, Kamanev, Tomsky, Rykov, Trotsky and Stalin. With success depending crucially upon their abilities to gain and secure support, the true rivals were the two major figures...Leon Trotsky and Josef Stalin . Although Trotsky was seen as the most likely successor to Lenin, it was Stalin, regardless of his lack of intellect, who was able to establish a personal dictatorship, through his manipulative but shrewd character. However, whilst Stalins character was strongly responsible for his rise to power, it was not the only aspect. His positions in communist power, his role as editor of the national newspaper, the factional dis putes between left and right and his realistic approach contributed greatly to what was to become the most ruthless autocracy Russia had ever endured. There is no doubt that Stalins character contributed to his rise to power in Russia, in 1917. Stalins early life gives some indications of personality traits that came to surface during his rule. His Georgian peasantry and the violence he encountered from his drunken father can be held responsible for his physical strength and determination. Subsequently, it is easy to understand why Stalin felt a great antipathy for all but his wife, the only person he (Stalin) had really loved . Exposed to socialism and Marxist ideology as a young man, Stalin developed a deep sense of class hatred which drove him to crimes of bank ...