In many ways, Stalin transformed himself to replicate Lenin by adopting his ideas and goals, although the way in which he met these goals are highly controversial by historians. Stalin was quickly acknowledged as a murderous dictator while he used a tactic of systematic killing of political opponents and innocent civilians on a massive scale. The objectives that Stalin was able to accomplish during his political career were truly outstanding and beneficial, however; the way in which he met these goals was truly unethical. Joseph Stalin was an
Lenin’s contribution to the Bolshevik Party was an essential factor in their consolidation of power during 1917-1924, however; Lenin’s role was not the only factor contributing to their success. The Bolsheviks were regarded as a “minor feature of Russian political life” and it was not until Lenin’s return to Russia that the party became a key player. It can be seen that Lenin played a pivotal role in the consolidation of power due to his background which allowed Lenin to be influenced by a revolutionary upbringing. Through his upbringing, Lenin was able to develop a strong leadership, political insight and determination allowing the Bolsheviks to be lead into power. Whilst the Bolsheviks were in power, Lenin’s role in dealing with uprisings and anti-communist groups was significant as it allowed the Bolsheviks to remain in power.
An important factor as to why Stalin was able to emerge as leader was due to the advantages that he had as a result of his position within the communist party. Stalin managed to obtain the role of head of central control commission. His role presented him with the power to investigate and discipline members of the party. He used this to the best of his manipulative ability by not expelling those who disagreed and went against him ideologically. Another important factor was the weaknesses of his opponents for example Trotsky was a weak powerbase due to his old age although he had high authority as he was the leader of the red army.
How accurate is it to say that Lenin’s leadership was the most important reason for the Bolsheviks’ success in the revolution of October 1917? The Bolshevik party on 25th October 1917 seized control of Russia with Lenin viewed to many as the icon of the revolution since his policies were quickly widespread amongst the people of Petrograd and his impressive leadership skills mobilized his ideas and the Bolshevik planned events to gain power. However, many would disagree, arguing that Lenin is not as significant because other leading Bolsheviks, such as Trotsky, were far more effective than Lenin in carrying out the revolution. Secondly, the weaknesses and underlying issues of the Provisional Government proved that they were destined to fail regardless of their attempts to keep power through repression, already placing the Bolsheviks in a good position for taking control. Finally the failures of the Provisional Government made them vulnerable which coincidentally worked to advantage the Bolsheviks.
It gave him a seat in the Politburo, overseeing policy, but also oversight over party members as he had access to over 26,000 personal files. His position also allowed him great patronage: those who rose within the party structure usually had Stalin to thank, and this growing loyalty to Stalin was demonstrated in the party congresses. The Fifteenth Party Congress in October 1927 saw the expulsion of the remaining leaders of the Left Opposition, notably Kamenev, affirming the previous expulsions of Trotsky and Zinoviev. Less than one per cent of the membership voted in favour of the Left Opposition, a clear indication of Stalin’s stranglehold over the membership. The party had vastly increased in size due to the quarter of a million or so brought in under the Lenin Enrolment and Stalin had been able to indoctrinate many of these – often poorly educated and politically naïve – into following the nascent cult of Stalin.
The victory of the Bolsheviks in the civil war was surprising due to the diverse force massed against them. Trotsky’s contribution to the Bolshevik victory was substantial however there were also many other aspects such as Lenin’s contribution, the geographical and structural benefits of the communists and the failures of the anti-communists. Trotsky’s contribution to the Bolshevik victory in the civil war was down to his military leadership. His founding and introduction of the red army in 1918 supported the Communists and enabled them to fight their cause and reinforce their ideas into other Russian people. The use of the Red Army meant that the Communists were considered serious contenders in the Cold war as without it there would be no possibility of them standing their ground.
In 1922 he became General Secretary of the Party, giving him the opportunity to manipulate the party structure, essentially having access to 26,000 personal files. With this new position he was able to gain 260,000 new members into the party during the Lenin enrolment between 1923 and 925, increasing party membership from 340,000 to 600,000. Ultimately Stalin chose members loyal to him, which worked to his advantage as these individuals would move to the upper levels of the party allowing him to control voting in the congress. This meant that by 1934 Stalin would have architected the party’s structure so much that by 1934 his position as dictator would be consolidated as he would have gained political control of the Soviet Union. However it could be said that Stalin did not consolidate his power by 1934, as he hadn’t gained complete political control.
Lenin’s skilled use of propaganda and the importance of the cause of ‘mother Russia’ harnessed the support of the peasants and working class in the face of another revolution. Trotsky’s inspirational oratory skills and successful reorganisation of the Red army ensured an effective, unified fighting force that was kept loyal and strong by Trotsky’s firm and ruthless discipline. However another factor responsible for the success of the Bolshevik’s in the Civil War was the ineffective organisation and leadership of the White Army which was the result of various personal and political rivalries between the parties which made unity and coordination impossible to achieve and victory on the side of the Whites incredibly difficult. It is to a critical extent that the leadership of the Bolsheviks was the reason for their victory in the Civil War from 1918-1921 in Russia as Lenin’s introduction of the sever policies under war communism dealt with the disastrous economic and military situation that the Bolsheviks were facing. The onset of Civil War required new and firmer policies for efficient industrial production and
“Why did the Bolsheviks win the Civil War?” Bolsheviks were one of the oppositions of the Tsar who were led by Lenin. They were one of the minor groups who were against the Tsar but then their supporters and followers had increased making them stronger and invulnerable. They’ve fought for what they thought was right and this led them to the success they’ve always wanted – taking over Russia. But at the end of the year 1918, a civil war occurred between the Red Army who were mainly the Bolsheviks, and the White Army who were consisted of the Social Revolutionaries, Mensheviks, supporters of the Tsar, workers and capitalists, and the Americans, British and French. The White Armies had outnumbered the Red Armies but the Red Army still managed to win the Civil war.
How important was Stalin’s use of the Lenin legacy in gaining power? Stalin’s use of the Lenin Legacy helped him gain support during the years 1924-1929, eventually resulting in him winning the power struggle and gaining power in Russia. Even though in Lenin’s final testament he made it clear that Stalin was trouble and he should be got rid of, Stalin’s political cunning and his use of the Lenin legacy meant that he was able to gain people’s support and become leader of the Communist party. One of the most noticeable was at Lenin’s funeral. Firstly, Stalin had told Trotsky (who was a major rival to Stalin at this time) the wrong date for Lenin’s funeral.