How did Lenin's death affect the Soviet Union?

Answer 1

Probably the most important result of Lenin's death was that the feud between Trotsky and Stalin developed into a struggle for power. Trotsky believed in international revolution, while Stalin was quite content for communism to be based in one country with himself at the head.

Stalin was successful and became effectively a dictator while Trotsky was exiled.

Answer 2

Stalin was able to use Lenin's death in his rise to power.

Firstly, after Lenin died he became an important Propaganda symbol for the Bolsheviks. Lenin was admired and all his preachings, ideas etc. became unquestionable. Anyone who opposed the Bolsheviks were labelled 'Anit-Leninist.'

Secondly, Trotsky had been the obvious successor of Lenin as he had helped to stage the October Revolution and was largely responsible for the Bolshevik victory in the Russian Civil War. However, Stalin tricked Trotsky into missing Lenin's funeral and presented himself as Lenin's successor by reading the eulogy and being the leading pole bearer.

Thirdly, and remember these were the days before photoshop, Stalin actually edited himself into photos of Lenin so that he seem like he was good friends with Lenin, again presenting himself as a logical successor. Lenin's death meant that he obviously was not there to dispute the authenticity to the photos.

Fourthly, Lenin was the leader of the Russian Revolution so naturally his death would be significant.