Stalin's Rise to Power

• Political Strength
• Personal qualities
• Trotsky's weaknesses
• Luck

• He was in charge of appointing offices.

• He could give good posts to his “allies” and bad posts to his opponents where they couldn’t get much support.

• He had played a vital role in Bolshevik history so he was admired and considered loyal.

• His roles meant that he was a good ally to have for leading politicians and they were equally useful to him.

• He advocated the popular “socialism in one country”

• He was cunning, had no reservations about playing people off one another.

• He tricked Trotsky about Lenin’s funeral so it looked like he was much closer to Lenin.

• He was considered mediocre and not a threat until it was too late.

• Didn't mind doing boring, administrative tasks – which were vital to his plan.

• He was high minded and looked down on his colleagues. They respected him but didn’t “like” him.

• “The party’s most eminent mediocrity”, didn’t see Stalin as a threat.

• He didn’t believe in political alliances and dirty politics.

• Used to be a Menshevik so was not seen as loyal.

It was lucky that:

• Lenin’s testament was never published

• Lenin died at a good time (earlier and Stalin wouldn’t have had enough power)

• Trotsky was ill through most of the power struggle.