Stalin’s rise to power and his Key Domestic Policies
At the beginning of the twentieth century Russia had been ruled by the Tsars for over
three hundred years. However, with Russia doing badly in the Great War and living
conditions in Russia were poor, in March 1917, a revolution broke out, resulting in
the abdication of the Tsar, resulting in a provisional government being formed. This
essay will look at Stalin’s rise to power and the success of his Domestic policies.
In April, Lenin, leader of the Bolshevik party returned from exile. His April thesis was
popular with the people through his communist ideology and popular slogans “All
power to the soviets” and “Peace, Bread, Land.” In November a second revolution,
organised by Trotsky overthrew the provisional government (Todd, 2002). Lenin
adopted a plan to help Russia back on its feet; the New Economic Policy (NEP);
encouraging private enterprise, as Roberts States:
“Peasants were allowed to sell surplus food for their own profit, private shops and
factories were opened again and workers encouraged to produce more by the
prospect of bonuses and piece-work rates.” (Roberts, 1968, p13)
Stalin, who was relatively unknown to Lenin, took on roles which others would
not, becoming Commissar of Nationalities and Commissar for the Workers’ and
Peasants’ Inspectorate in 1921. As Lenin’s health deteriorated he was appointed
General Secretary in 1922. As stated by Haugan:
“No one else wanted the job. But no one knew how much power Stalin would acquire
because of it.” (Haugan, 2006, p39)
The post granted Stalin the opportunity to build his foundations in power by replacing
existing Party members throughout Russia, with people who would support him.
Therefore, most people owed him their allegiance, as they owed their posts to him.
As Lee states:
“As General Secretary in 1922, Stalin controlled the party organisation and the
promotion of its leading members. They, in turn came to support
three hundred years. However, with Russia doing badly in the Great War and living
conditions in Russia were poor, in March 1917, a revolution broke out, resulting in
the abdication of the Tsar, resulting in a provisional government being formed. This
essay will look at Stalin’s rise to power and the success of his Domestic policies.
In April, Lenin, leader of the Bolshevik party returned from exile. His April thesis was
popular with the people through his communist ideology and popular slogans “All
power to the soviets” and “Peace, Bread, Land.” In November a second revolution,
organised by Trotsky overthrew the provisional government (Todd, 2002). Lenin
adopted a plan to help Russia back on its feet; the New Economic Policy (NEP);
encouraging private enterprise, as Roberts States:
“Peasants were allowed to sell surplus food for their own profit, private shops and
factories were opened again and workers encouraged to produce more by the
prospect of bonuses and piece-work rates.” (Roberts, 1968, p13)
Stalin, who was relatively unknown to Lenin, took on roles which others would
not, becoming Commissar of Nationalities and Commissar for the Workers’ and
Peasants’ Inspectorate in 1921. As Lenin’s health deteriorated he was appointed
General Secretary in 1922. As stated by Haugan:
“No one else wanted the job. But no one knew how much power Stalin would acquire
because of it.” (Haugan, 2006, p39)
The post granted Stalin the opportunity to build his foundations in power by replacing
existing Party members throughout Russia, with people who would support him.
Therefore, most people owed him their allegiance, as they owed their posts to him.
As Lee states:
“As General Secretary in 1922, Stalin controlled the party organisation and the
promotion of its leading members. They, in turn came to support