Stalin: Modernising the Ussr
Stalin: Modernising the USSR
Joseph Stalin is now remembered as one of the most ruthless and powerful dictators of all time. His regime was one of terror and oppression, and resulted in the deaths of millions of Soviets.
As a young man, Stalin was involved in the revolutionary movement against the Russian monarchy. In 1904, he met Lenin at the first national Bolshevik conference in Finland before becoming the delegate to the Social Democratic Party. His job was to gather support for the Bolshevik cause among poorer workers. In the period after the revolution of 1905, Stalin led fighting squads in bank robberies to raise funds for the Bolshevik Party.
Stalin was appointed a member of the Bolshevik Central Committee in 1913. He then received the post of editor for Pravada, the official Communist newspaper. Although Stalin strictly adhered to Lenin 's doctrine of a strong centralist party of professional revolutionaries, he did not contribute significantly to the revolution. Stalin was arrested and exiled on many occasions between 1905 and 1917.
After the revolution, Stalin was made General Secretary of the Communist Party. Although this was not a highly significant or influential role, it gave him the power to appoint members of the party, thereby enabling him to build up a base of support.
After Lenin 's death in 1924, the leadership of the Soviet Union was between Stalin and his bitter rival, Trotsky. It was believed that Trotsky would succeed Lenin, however, Stalin won by a mixture of luck and deception.
Trotsky was falling ill, so was not active to hold campaigns. Meanwhile, Stalin was seen as a capable leader and Lenin 's closest friend. Due to a trick by Stalin, Trotsky was not at Lenin 's funeral. This further denounced his reputation. Stalin 's policies were also more acceptable to the people. He wanted "Socialism in One Country", while Trotsky proposed an ideology of "Permanent Revolution". This intimidated many Soviets, as they did not want to be
Joseph Stalin is now remembered as one of the most ruthless and powerful dictators of all time. His regime was one of terror and oppression, and resulted in the deaths of millions of Soviets.
As a young man, Stalin was involved in the revolutionary movement against the Russian monarchy. In 1904, he met Lenin at the first national Bolshevik conference in Finland before becoming the delegate to the Social Democratic Party. His job was to gather support for the Bolshevik cause among poorer workers. In the period after the revolution of 1905, Stalin led fighting squads in bank robberies to raise funds for the Bolshevik Party.
Stalin was appointed a member of the Bolshevik Central Committee in 1913. He then received the post of editor for Pravada, the official Communist newspaper. Although Stalin strictly adhered to Lenin 's doctrine of a strong centralist party of professional revolutionaries, he did not contribute significantly to the revolution. Stalin was arrested and exiled on many occasions between 1905 and 1917.
After the revolution, Stalin was made General Secretary of the Communist Party. Although this was not a highly significant or influential role, it gave him the power to appoint members of the party, thereby enabling him to build up a base of support.
After Lenin 's death in 1924, the leadership of the Soviet Union was between Stalin and his bitter rival, Trotsky. It was believed that Trotsky would succeed Lenin, however, Stalin won by a mixture of luck and deception.
Trotsky was falling ill, so was not active to hold campaigns. Meanwhile, Stalin was seen as a capable leader and Lenin 's closest friend. Due to a trick by Stalin, Trotsky was not at Lenin 's funeral. This further denounced his reputation. Stalin 's policies were also more acceptable to the people. He wanted "Socialism in One Country", while Trotsky proposed an ideology of "Permanent Revolution". This intimidated many Soviets, as they did not want to be
Bibliography: • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Stalin#Campaign_against_the_left_and_right_opposition • http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/stalin_joseph.shtml • http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/Stalin.htm • http://www.angelfire.com/ia/totalwar/Stalin.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Soviet_Union#Economic_development • http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/lessons/russia/stalins_economic.shtml • www.igshistoryonline.co.uk/Resources/Russia%20-%205%20year%20plans%20&%20collectivisation.ppt