Stalin also had the ability to be flexible on his policies and wasn’t hesitant to change his ideas. He picked his policies carefully, according to popularity within the party and political awareness. “… He changes his theories according to whom he needs to get rid of next” (Bukharin). Stalin’s ruthless nature allowed him to be able to drop a policy and not get too committed towards his ideas, he was able to focus more on his opponents.
Another main reason that Stalin was able to come to power by 1929 was the weaknesses of his political opponents, especially Trotsky. Stalin’s opponents didn’t see Stalin as a major contender to lead the Bolshevik party and underestimated him considerably. Stalin slowly developed power inside the party, using the positions he gained to develop a power base, this wasn’t seen by members of the party, especially the contenders, Stalin was described as “a grey blur which flickered obscurely but left no trace” by Sukhanov in 1917. “They were content to leave him (Stalin) to assemble and classify the personnel files, not yet realising what power was accumulating therein.” No opponents saw in the Stalin of 1923 the menacing and towering figure he was to become.
Stalin’s opponents also had considerable weaknesses that allowed Stalin to succeed, especially Stalin’s main opponent Trotsky. Even with his strengths such as his oratorical skills, intellect and charisma Trotsky had substantial weaknesses; he was arrogant and detached and lacked political skills. Historian Richard Pipes places great emphasis on Trotsky’s personal flaws – his arrogant behaviour towards his colleagues, and his inflexible policy positions. These weaknesses created enemies for Trotsky and gave him no real power base to build on while Stalin was building a strong power base and slowly crafting his way to power. Historian Isaac Deutscher says “… Trotsky refrained from attacking Stalin because he felt secure… it seemed to Trotsky almost a bad joke that Stalin, the wilful and sly but shabby and inarticulate man in the background, should be his rival”. Trotsky’s poor political skills and awareness prevented him from realising that Stalin was a contender. Upon this other opponents such as Zinoviev, Kamenev and Bukharin also had weaknesses, for example when the Testament could have been published (1924) those along with Trotsky refused to publish it and expose Stalin.
Another reason Stalin was able to come to power was the Communist desire to present a united front and a ban on factions. The communist party were determined not to have a split in the party and imposed a ban of factions; this resulted in many expulsions. Those who succeeded in getting their ideas accepted were quick to accuse their opponents of factionalism; this caused a lack of debate within the party. Stalin was able to expose this ‘loophole’ and was able to get opponents, especially his closest one Trotsky expelled.
There was also a growth in party membership around the years of the power struggle, many of these members were young, inexperienced and poorly educated. Many of these party members were easy to dominate and influence and were more likely to obey instructions than some older party members, Stalin was able to gain support from these members and build a stronger power base.
In conclusion, Stalin was able to come to power by 1929 due to many outside factors which he cleverly influenced and manipulated like the positions he took up in the Bolshevik Party, the ban on factions, the inexperience of some of the party members and most especially the weaknesses of his opponents either on the right or the left. But Stalin also used his individual skills and characteristics to gain support and work his way to the top.
