How Did Stalin’s Cunning Bring Him to Power in 1929

A. Plan of Investigation

This essay discusses the significance of Stalin's cunning in bringing him to power in communist Russia in 1929. This consists of the study of Stalin's actions from when Lenin died right up to when he came to power in 1929. It also includes how Stalin outmanoeuvred his rivals. The two sources to be focussed on are J.V Stalin Collected Works from Stalin's speech at Lenin's funeral and Stalin rev. edn by I. Deutscher 1966. These will be evaluated for their origins, purposes, values and limitations.

Word Count: 85

B. Summary of Evidence

The Bolsheviks came to power in 1917 with Lenin in charge. During his reign he introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP), which made the country much more stable, even though it was not considered the Bolshevik's perfect idea of communism.

Lenin died in 1924 and because he did not leave any clear successor to lead the party, a power vacuum was left for a new leader to emerge. The possible contenders were Trotsky, Stalin, Zinoviev, Kamenev, Bukharin, Rykov and Tomsky, who all held high positions within the party. It is certain that Stalin was not who Lenin wanted for leader, as before Lenin died they had a strained relationship. He had realised how much power Stalin had gained and was very worried because if Stalin, was to become leader, he believed that he would misuse his power. Stalin was desperate to see Lenin and called Krupskaya, Lenin's wife and secretary, who would not let him visit. Stalin insulted her, in which Lenin was very upset and Lenin added something to his testament, which would have