To what extent should the success of Stalin in the leadership struggle between 1924-1930 be seen as a surprising development?

The first 200 words of this essay...

Historical Investigation

To what extent should the success of Stalin in the leadership struggle between 1924-1930 be seen as a surprising development?

Written By Mary Smith

Candidate number: 002589-006

Date completed: 14/8/2007

Total Word Count: 1987

Table of Contents

1. Outline of the Investigation p1

2. Summary of Evidence p2

3. Evaluation of Sources p4

4. Analysis p5

5. Conclusion p8

6. Appendix p9

7. Bibliography p12

PART A - Outline of the Investigation.

To what extent should the success of Stalin in the leadership struggle between 1924-1930 be seen as a surprising development?

Viewing Stalin's rise to power as a surprise is largely dependant on whether he orchestrated and manipulated the factions in the power struggle between 1924 and 1930. The main interpretations of the power struggle claim either that Stalin was a cold and calculating tactician who planned his rise to power or that his rise to power was circumstantial.

The investigation will examine the following information:

i. Lenin's Political Testament

ii. The power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin.

iii. Fall of the left

iv.