Stalin gained power, but why?

[iareenactor]

We all know the PR image of Stalin and the reality of his power base. But I would like to look into some sources of the politics and how he came to power when more promienent members of the Revolution were in a better position to succeed Lenin at least on paper?

Greg

[Konstantin]

iareenactor said:

We all know the PR image of Stalin and the reality of his power base. But I would like to look into some sources of the politics and how he came to power when more promienent members of the Revolution were in a better position to succeed Lenin at least on paper?

Greg

Ah Greg. Not a simple question to answer. However in Chris Ward's book Stalin's Russia he does a good job at condensing what entire volumes have been trying to explain.

Basically Stalin spent years collecting minor power roles in the party. I think he had like 7 party titles.

Then when Lenin had the stroke, Stalin banded with two others to keep Trotsky from becoming the heir to Lenin. Once they did that, he was able to take care of them as rivals and blamo, he was left as the one in charge.

Those late teens early twenties are fascinating to read about. The lies, backstabbing, political intrigue, makes todays politics look tame. LOL Funny thing is Lenin did not want Stalin to be the heir and Lenin's wife even went so far as to warn people about Stalin. Lenin was even trying to reduce Stalins power and influence in the party before his demise.

Like I mentioned, Wards book sums it up pretty good. Then it goes on to explain the rest of Stalins reign. I enjoyed the book.

Hope that helps. I am sure someone can expand on what I posted. Heck authours have written many books on the subject.

-dave

[ewj]

Go and read George Orwell "Animal Farm" again as well, it does make sense of it all.

Whilst your at it read "Homage to Catalonia" by Orwell as well - one of the best war memoirs I've read - it covers his time in the Spanish Civil War fighting for the Anarcho-Syndicalist in Barcelona.

Not sure if this is the correct author to quote here - looks like I'm back to the penal battalion again

[iareenactor]

Thx for the references, but what about Western powerplays on the part of France, GB and the US? I know a little about the landings done by the powers to help if it was minimal the Czarist forces. Were they a factor in all the polictical intrigue on Stalin's rise to power?

Greg

[tarawajon]

Greg,

I don't really think the "interventionist forces" had too much to do with Stalin's rise to power. The last ones left around 1922 I think. Stalin of course worked hard in the Civil War where he really began his rise to power, such as the defense of Tsaritsyn (later renamed Stalingrad). I think later the western countries were good scapegoats for use in accusing people of being "wreckers" and spies when Stalin was consolidating power. Robert Conquest has a couple of books worth reading about Stalin. A very good two volume work on Stalin was done by Robert Service (I think, I will double check that).

Tovarish Jon

[iareenactor]

Thanks for the possible sources.

True my reference to the Allied forces during the intial conflict between the White and Red forces is a bit off the Stalin subject of control. But remember the Czech legion had control of the Trans-Siberia railway for a short time. Isloating the Red forces, if coordination of the White forces could have been completed with full support of the Allied powers instead of whimpering war weariness support who knows if the Reds could have been stopped before their reogranization of their armed forces made them able to contain the Allied forces and crush the Whites.

Greg P.