Position as Secretary: This role allowed accept whoever he wanted to what ever position he wanted them to be into. Used to his advantage to accept only those who supported him or accept people on the condition that they would support him. This meant that most people in the party supported him, and could outvote Trotsky.
Another mistake of T was his arrogance and rudeness. Made him already unpopular. Stalins clever use of strategy helped him succeed in getting rid of Trotsky as opposition. Stalin Formed an alliance with Kamanv and Ziniviev known as triumvirate. Used their popularity to make Trotsky more unpopular. The triumvirate supported the concept “socialism in one country”- focused on improving situation in USSR, an idea which was popular. Trotksy on the other hand, tried to force his idea of globalising communism upon the party. This idea, which was unpopular, further reduced trotsky’s popularity. Eventually since Trotsky stood alone in supporting globalising communism, Trotsky was accussed of going against the party and was forced to step down from his position in 1925.
Stalin was clever in that he made sure he supported the side that majority of the public supported. There was a split in the party as to what was best to better the economy. Some supported the NEP whereas others saw the NEP as a backwards policy that wasn’t in line with communist beliefs and wanted to instead rapidly industrialise. Stalin saw that most of the people were for the NEP , and so supported him. Kamanev and Ziniviev were now against Stalin because opposed the NEP and were now his greatest opposition. They were were easily voted out of the politburo in 1926 because of Stalin’s overwhelming support in the party they were on the unpopular side.
Stalin was clever in that he made sure he supported the side that majority of the public supported. There was a split in the party as to what was best to better the economy. Some supported the NEP whereas others saw the NEP as a backwards policy that wasn’t in line with communist beliefs and wanted to instead rapidly industrialise. Stalin saw that most of the people were for the NEP , and so supported him. Kamanev and Ziniviev were now against Stalin because opposed the NEP and were now his greatest opposition. They were were easily voted out of the politburo in 1926 because of Stalin’s overwhelming support in the party they were on the unpopular side.
Kamanev out of the party, Zinoviev and Trotsky joined to form the United Opposition. However this opposition to Stalin was very temporary because they were expelled from the USSR. Stalin was then able to dispatch his final opposition of Bukarin, Tomsky and Rykov by turning against the NEP and using his support to outvote the three men. At this time, near the end of 1929, Stalin was the unopposed leader of the USSR.
Once out of the party, Kamanev, Zinoviev and Trotsky joined to form the United Opposition. However this opposition to Stalin was very temporary because they were expelled from the USSR. Stalin was then able to dispatch his final opposition of Bukarin, Tomsky and Rykov by turning against the NEP and using his support to outvote the three men. At this time, near the end of 1929, Stalin was the unopposed leader of the USSR.
Historians have different views on what it was that allowed Stalin to come to power. Liberal believe the mistakes of his opposition enabled him...Structuralists believe that it was stalins position in the party and his ability to garner support that was key in attaining power.
In conclusion, Stalin used opportunism, ability to take advantage of other peoples mistakes, and his position in the party to because leader of the USSR.
