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