Why Did Stalin Rather Than Trotsky Emerge As Leader Of The Ussr

Mrw
History, Andrew Barnes
10

WHY DID STALIN RATHER THAN TROTSKY EMERGE AS LEADER OF THE USSR?

After Lenin died in 1924, the party needed a new leader. There were several key personalitiesready to take over: Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev, Bukarin, Rykov, Tomsky and Stalin. However the two main personalities, who wanted, could and where ready were Trotsky and Stalin, each of them wantingdifferent things for Russia. One of the main differences between them was how Trotsky wanted socialism in the whole world and Stalin wanted socialism in one country, Russia. Lenin’s death did not come ingood time, the economy had recovered from the 1921 crisis, but there were many important issues to be solved such as the route of socialism, democracy, the growing bureaucracy, and the partyleadership. This essay will answer the question: “ Why did Stalin rather than Trotsky emerge as leader of the USSR?” The essay will mention the most important aspects, which lead Stalin to take the leadershipof the party; Stalin’s role in the party, Stalin’s personal characteristics, his political status and his skills, Trotsky and how luck favored Stalin rather than Trotsky.

Stalin had control of theparty machine through his key positions in the Politburo and Orgburo and as General Secretary. Stalin was able to appoint his own supporters to key positions in the party. He controlled themembership of the party, using his power to expel members likely to support Trotsky and bring in new members likely to support him. Stalin’s control of appointments and the membership made him a useful ally.Other contenders wanted him on their side because he could deliver votes in the congresses. Stalin made full use of Lenin’s funeral to advance his position. He tricked Trotsky into not attending thefuneral. He took on the mantle of Leninism to transfer Lenin’s prestige to himself.

Stalin’s personal characteristics and qualities helped him become leader of the party. Stalin was a very loyal...