However, we have to consider the attribution of the quote. As the historian was British this means that he may limited access to documents that are found in Russia, and therefore, the documents he has used may not be accurate. In addition, if M. McCauley has used other historian’s interpretations they will have an effect because every person has their own opinion and is not necessarily the right viewpoint. Also, the book M. McCauley has written, Russia 1917-41 covers a wide time period, and therefore is a more general book and is not as dependable as a specialist book.
To a certain extent, the source may have been true, as if Lenin had not have died, Stalin may not have been in the Politburo for much longer, as Lenin had begun to see that Stalin could be dangerous. These were written in Lenin’s Testament written in December opponents 1922 before he died, and to be read out after his death. The testament criticised Stalin and also recommended that he should be replaced as General Secretary. Another thing that was also luck for Stalin was that the testament also criticised other members of the Politburo and therefore Stalin had successfully persuaded them to repress Lenin’s testament by disclosing that it would split the party, which no one wanted. Another death that had been lucky for Stalin was that of Dzerzhinsky who was the head of the CHEKA (the secret police), who had not liked Stalin, and therefore, when he died Stalin infiltrated his supporters into the political police, thus using them against his. It was also lucky for Stalin that he had managed to trick Trotsky into not attending Lenin’s funeral, as a result, this had portrayed Stalin as his chief mourner and it had also resulted in damaging Trotsky’s position within the Bolsheviks and had made him unpopular with Bolshevik supporters as Lenin had become a cult figure. Trotsky also was ill for most of the Power Struggle, which was also lucky for Stalin because it meant that Trotsky’s strength was sapped which left him unable to deal with the persisting internal attacks mounted on him by his
colleagues and enemies. In addition, it meant that he could not be involved in crucial votes in the Politburo. However, there were certain times when important meetings
were held by his bedside. When he was left out on crucial votes it meant that Stalin could have his own way, and increased his chances of being victorious in the Power Struggle.
However, the source may not also be entirely true, because it has to be stressed that there were other reasons why Stalin had become leader of the USSR. For example, Stalin position within the party in the Politburo and the Orgburo and as General Secretary was an important factor in Stalin’s rise to power because Stalin had become a moderate and a peacemaker and tended to stay in the background. This may have been a reason why Stalin had become leader of the USSR as he could change sides between Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev against Bukharin, Rykov and Tomsky instantly and could play them off against each other. In addition, as Stalin controlled membership of the party, he was able to expel members who were favoured Trotsky and also could appoint new members who would likely to support him. In addition, as Stalin was a bureaucrat that meant that Stalin was able to get information about his opponents that he could use against them.
Another reason why Stalin had become leader of the Soviet Union because of the weaknesses of his opponents and members of the Politburo, especially those of Trotsky who was the most likely candidate to replace Lenin after his death. For instance, Trotsky was arrogant and dismissive of other Politburo members, although he was well respected. In addition, Trotsky was the most likely person to cause splits amongst members of the party. In addition, Trotsky had only united with the Bolshevik Party in August 1917, and therefore was seen as not loyal towards the party and that members of the Party did not trust him, because they thought he wanted to try and become a dictator.
Another mistake that Trotsky made is agreeing to the suppression of Lenin’s Testament as if it had not been kept a secret then it would have been very unlikely that Stalin would have got the chance to win the Power Struggle.
Another reason why Stalin became leader was that he was politically very skilful and cunning. An example was that there had been an argument between the Politburo members about having a Permanent Revolution. However, Stalin had favoured Socialism in One Country because that had been more popular with most party members and with their supporters. The same was that of other policies, that Stalin adopted policies that were popular with the majority of the Communist Part.
It is therefore reasonable to suggest that Stalin had luck on his side, which helped him, become leader of the USSR. However, there were other factors that were important to help Stalin become leader of Russia. These include the weaknesses of the other contenders in the power struggle, Stalin’s political skills and his personal characteristics.
