How did Stalin come to power in the Communist Party?

Answer 1

Stalin used a number of tactics to gain control of the communist party: exploiting his opponents and their weaknesses; gathering a power base while party secretary under Lenin; and manipulating other party members by playing them against each other; controling the press apparatus.

After Lenin's death, it was clear that the leadership race was between Stalin & Trotsky (a leading bolshevik, popular and powerful from before and through the revolution). The majority of people favoured a collective leadership or rule by committee, fearing a 'dictator' would emerge. THeir biggest fear was not Stalin, but Trotsky who was viewed as arrogant and had an imperial manner that seemed to show a conviction that he knew what direction of the party should take.

Party members were also worried about the unity of the party and how any divisions would tear both the party and the country apart again. Stalin seemed the lesser of evils to many party stalwarts.

Another main issue with the leadership of the party was that of NEP (new economic policy) and the industrialisation debate. The left of the party, including opposition in Trotsky, Zinoviev & Kamenev wanted to end NEP and go for rapid industrialisation.

The right wing, such as Bukharin wanted to continue with NEP and encourage the peasants to become richer and spend money on consumer goods, allowing industry to grow at a normal rate.

It is argued that Stalin became party leader because of his central views that looked after both sides' opinion. He was a bit of a oportunist, changing his views depending on public opinion, which helped build up support for him from a variety of areas.

Stalin's ability as a co-ordinator allowed him to build his power base. He had access to the innerworkings of the party as the party secretary, a job seen as unimportant. But this seemingly insignificant job gave him control of the politburo (communist top body) - he drew up agendas, giving him power to control discussions and information members received. Basically by controling the flow of information, he was able to isolate his enemies and funnel more powers and information to his own supporters.

His positions in the Orgburo and the Secretariat, which gave him control of appointments to positions of responsibility in the party structure, allowed Stalin to move his supporters into key positions, thus further consolidating his powerbase. These people included party secretaries at regional level and party secretaries elsewhere, such as in the Ukraine, who were powerful enough to decide how lower level party members voted.

Stalin's control of the party organisation meant he could influence the section of delegates sent to annual party congress where major issues of policy were discussed. He could pack congress with his supporters, meaning Trotsky received a hostile reception at conferences from 1924 onwards. Stalin also had control of the party membership; this allowed him to get rid of radical elements - students and soldiers - who were likely to support Trotsky.

Stalin aimed to encourage young urban workers and poorly educated ex-peasants, for whom Stalin's practical policies on nationalism appealed. This large powerbase - spread out over Russia, helped to ensure Stalin's supporters far out numbered his opponents. Trotsky found himself isolated and supported by the red army only.

Stalin was also the master manipulator when it came to public opinion. He was quite devious in his ability to manouver better press coverage and further isolate his enemies. A good example of this was when Stalin persuaded Trotsky to not show up for Lenin's funeral, damaging his political prestige and reputation. Lenin was seen as the father of the revolution, and by not appearing at the funeral, Trotsky appeared to be insulting Lenin's legacy. By controlling the press, Stalin controlled public opinion.