By becoming general secretary Stalin harnessed the unique oppertunity whereby he could appoint any member of the party to high power positions. He used this after winning the power struggle after Lenin's death to increase his own support and alienate any "factionalists". This could be described as political nepatism. However, he was appointed to this position due to the fact that, whilst being originally supported by Lenin himself, many members were averse to Trotsky's monopolising of the party and that Stalin seemed to not hold any threat.
"Stalin was NOT appointed,he Killed everyone opposing his candidacy. Stalin came to power in 1924 after Lenin's death. " Edit: I found this answer while looking for something else. It is completely and utterly wrong. Stalin was appointed General Secretary by Lenin, when Lenin proposed this new position in April 1922. Since none of the other leading communists realized the potential power of this position, no one wanted it, and they actually supported Stalin in becoming General secretary. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSstalin.htm
Joseph Stalin come to power in Russia after the Russian Revolution in 1917. He was the secretary general of the communists party which did not want Leon Trotsky to ascend to power after the death of Lenin.
Lenin suggested that the Communist Party should be wary of Joseph Stalin's growing power and influence. In his "Testament," written in late 1922 and early 1923, he recommended that Stalin be removed from his position as General Secretary due to his concentration of power and his abrasive personality. Lenin expressed concerns that Stalin's leadership style could be detrimental to the party and the revolution.
Stalin used his position as General Secretary and alliances forged against Trotsky to isolate him from the party members. Twice he kept Lenin's testament against him from being read. After Lenin's death, Stalin banished Trotsky and his two main allies from the Communist Party. The allies were later allowed in when Stalin had secured power, but Trotsky was exiled.
He was a genius. One of the many instances to show is intellect was the way he rose to power. When he was General Secretary of the Politburo, he selected members who were his supporters so that when he would eventually rise to power, they would support him for instance in the expulsion of Trotsky.
Joseph Stalin. Officially, he was General Secretary of the central committee of the Communist party. Unofficially, he wielded such power, that he was a de facto dictator, and he remained so until his death in 1953.Party and State leader in 1939 in Russia was Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin.
Lenin's note, known as his "Testament," expressed significant concerns about Joseph Stalin's concentration of power as General Secretary of the Communist Party. Lenin criticized Stalin's rude demeanor and suggested that he was too ambitious and could become a threat to the party and the revolution. He recommended that Stalin be removed from his position, highlighting the need for more collective leadership within the party. This note was largely ignored after Lenin's death in 1924, allowing Stalin to consolidate his power.
During the period of Lenin's semi-retirement Stalin acted as his intermediary with outside world. During this time their relationship declined as Lenin despised Stalin's authoritative style and lack of manners. He also did not like Stalin's political views and his ambition for absolute power. He also recommended in his testament that Stalin be removed from the post of Secretary General of the ruling party. However Stalin managed to conceal this testament from exposure and after Lenin's death he successfully gained power.
Joseph Stalin rose to power in Russia following Vladimir Lenin's death in 1924 by leveraging his position as General Secretary of the Communist Party. He skillfully consolidated power by outmaneuvering rivals, including Leon Trotsky, and forming strategic alliances within the party. Stalin's control over party apparatus allowed him to promote loyalists, suppress opposition, and ultimately secure his position as the unchallenged leader of the Soviet Union. His use of propaganda and state repression further solidified his authority in the years that followed.
Nikita Khrushchev became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union after Stalin died. The General Secretary's position was the real seat of power in the Soviet Union at the time. In that sense only can it be logically said that Khrushchev "lead communism" after Stalin died. It would be incorrect to say that he "lead communism," because "communism" existed in several other countries and neither Stalin nor Khrushchev lead those countries. One could say that Nikita Khrushchev lead communism in the Soviet Union in particular, but not that he lead communism in general.
Stalin was in power as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and ruled as part of a three party committee with Grigori Zinoviev and Lev Kamenev in 1923 while Lenin was incapacitated by strokes and after Lenin died. Over the next several years he ousted Zinoviev and Kamenev and took sole power in 1929. He did not assume the title of Premier until 1941 and continued to wield the sole power in the Soviet Union until his death in 1953.
Stalin effectively outmaneuvered Trotsky within the Communist Party by forming alliances with key party members, gaining their support and isolating Trotsky. Stalin also manipulated party structures to his advantage, such as controlling party appointments and using his position as General Secretary to undermine Trotsky's influence. Ultimately, Stalin's political cunning and skill at consolidating power allowed him to defeat Trotsky in the power struggle for leadership of the Soviet Union after Lenin's death.