The philosopher filled our libraries with documents that cement the fundamental structure of our constitution. The politician acted with an acclimated understanding to run a centralized government sometimes requires action at odds with philosophical and moral belief. Jefferson was ambivalent about slavery throughout his career, yet he owned over 600 slaves throughout his lifetime. He believed in a limited government, and yet he expanded government authority more so than Washington and Adams. He was nicknamed, “Man of the People”, but he was born in a predominate family, and lived well outside his means throughout his life.
This was Trotsky’s chance to remove three possible candidates but he doesn’t take it because he doesn’t see any of them as any kind of a threat so once again Stalin was able to continue his rise to power unhalted by Trotsky. The third point at which Stalin was underestimated was when Zinoviev Kamenev and Trotsky began to attack each other viciously. While Stalin just sat back he had set them up as now people began to lose faith in the other three as Zinoviev and Kamenev questioned Trotsky’s loyalty to the Bolshevik cause while Trotsky brought up their unwillingness to begin the revolution. And so because
According to Lenin’s will, Trotsky appeared to the natural successor while Stalin was described as power hungry and should not be put into power. Yet Stalin was the General Secretary of the Bolshevik Part y which allowed him to undermine Trotsky’s support and gain more support for himself. He expelled the younger, wilder and more radical elements more likely to support Trotsky while he placed his supporter of powerful position which would allow him to win more votes in the Congress. Trotsky, on the other hand, was the leader of the Red Army and therefore had their support and of the younger party members, but the older communists did not support him and were worried about him becoming the leader as they were concerned that he would become a dictator especially with the support of the Red Army. They doubted his loyalty to the party as he did not join until November 1917.
He calls this living a lie. Havel's analysis of the toll that the post-totalitarian regime takes from the individual who lives under it, is extremely intelligent. Havel believed each member of society shared the blame for the actions of the regime. The concept and fundamental revolt that Havel proposes, "living in truth," is an admirable and necessary one. I agree with his argument that people are manipulated in ways that are infinitely more refined than the methods used in the post-totalitarian societies.
Also, he never forgave an opponent. Very few dictators have demanded such terrible sacrifices from their own people, but that never stopped Stalin ("Characteristics of a Machiavellian Leader”). Joseph Stalin ruled by terror and executed or jailed most of those who had helped him rise to power because he feared they might threaten his rule ("Characteristics of a Machiavellian Leader”). By making his people fear him, they obeyed his orders and did not rebel against him or his power. Fear is a powerful tool used in dictatorship and being a Machiavellian leader.
Doris Kearns Goodwin’s lengthy depiction of the rest of Lincoln’s rivals tells the rollercoaster ride of emotions they all felt during the presidential nominations. The author is able to show how each of the men who shared the spotlight with Lincoln before his nomination and eventual victory in the race for the presidency strategized with and against each other. The shared opinion about Lincoln’s finances, qualifications, or lack thereof is a common theme throughout the entirety of the book. The book itself is a very detailed, long read. Doris Kearns Goodwin is a noted historical, nonfiction, author with many works especially about former presidents of the United States.
He also declared that the United States had lost ground in the world not as a result of foreign aggression, but “because of the traitorous actions of those who have been treated so well by this nation.” The corporate-controlled news media also shared the blame for McCarthy's ability to disseminate "great lies." During the Wheeling speech, no reporter asked to examine the list McCarthy held, and it is said that McCarthy himself later joked to members of his inner circle that nothing was on the paper but a reminder to pick up his laundry. Addressing the Ohio County Women's Republican Convention, Senator McCarthy first quoted from Marx, Lenin, and Stalin their stated goal of world conquest and said, "today we are engaged
One of the ways how Stalin defeated the left side of the party was to make an alliance with Bukharin. This ended with Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev losing their power bases. This gave Stalin a lot more power and meant there was no real threat left. I know from my own knowledge that Trotsky formed the alliance with Zinoviev and Kamenev because Stalin was a big threat. Stalin was more popular because of Trotsky’s “political paralysis” he couldn’t be a good public speaker.
Despite the efforts of many to encourage Hitler’s appointment, there was no intention of forming a permanent leadership with him; the elite groups around Hindenburg planned to use Hitler to gain his support base, then abandon him when he was no longer needed. This was a huge misjudgement, particularly on Vice-Chancellor Papen’s part: a month after Hitler’s appointment, he told a conservative friend “within 2 months we will have pushed Hitler so far into a corner that he’ll squeak.” Papen completely underestimated
The purges would be an efficient way of ensuring that nobody would question Stalin’s leadership. Stalin’s lack of popularity was displayed on the Ryutin Platform in 1932 when a 200 page document criticised Stalin claiming that he was moving too fast. Stalin wanted Ryutin executed however the Politburo refused; however Stalin’s intentions to execute Ryutin make it clear that Stalin was willing to kill anybody that endangered his power therefore, the purges would later take place. Stalin’s instability as a leader was displayed yet again at the 17th Party Congress when Kirov spoke and was well received, additionally being asked to stand against Stalin. The 17th Party Congress marks the beginning of Stalin’s plans to take down threats.