Explain why Stalin, not Trotsky, emerged as Lenins successor

Since Lenin died there was a huge leadership struggle. Trotsky’s ‘permanent revolution’ was extremely communist, and at this time Trotsky also hated the NEP (new economic policy). Stalin remained mutual during this struggle, Stalin and Bukharin created a simple idea which appealed to patriotism, socialism in one country. This idea suggested that the USSR should become a socialist state and the world would be able to see what a success the USSR had become.

Lenin’s Testament was against Stalin. Lenin was “not sure whether (Stalin) will always be capable of using that authority”, but he thought of Trotsky as “distinguished not only by his outstanding ability. (Trotsky) is personally the most capable man in the present Cental Committee”. In the testament Lenin made his opinions of Stalin and Trotsky clear. After Lenin died, the USSR believed that Trotsky wouldn’t win. Stalin may not be a greater leader than Trotsky, but Trotsky’s failure was down to himself. Trotsky was arrogant and often offended members of the party, especially the seniors. This did him no favour with gaining support and popularity.

Stalin was clever in his approach to success. He began as the “inarticulate man in the background”