Russia E3 -Stalin's Rise to Power (1924-1929)

Stalin's Rise to Power (1924-1929)

• Ideological Debates: Key debates centered around "Permanent Revolution" versus "Socialism in One Country," NEP versus industrialization. Stalin initially wavered between "Left" and "Right" factions, before ultimately embracing rapid industrialization and agricultural collectivization.
• Stalin's 1924 Position: Stalin leveraged Lenin's funeral to enhance his position within the party leadership. He promoted Leninism, yet Trotsky's absence due to illness and perceived lack of opposition contributed to Stalin's rise. Stalin's role as General Secretary provided him control over the party bureaucracy.
• Defeat of the Left Opposition (1924-1927): Trotsky's failure to directly challenge Stalin, coupled with Stalin's support from others, led to a triumvirate-like power structure. Tensions within this group increased, with Stalin later forming an alliance with Bukharin ("Duumvirate"). This period also featured fierce intraparty conflicts, dubbed "Literary Discussion”, where political arguments were published widely. Ultimately, Trotsky, Zinoviev, and Kamenev were expelled from the party.
• Defeat of the Right (Bukharin) (1928-1929): Food shortages and Stalin's increasingly radical policies created conflict with Bukharin. Stalin's unilateral actions against peasants in Siberia, along with Bukharin's opposition, marked a critical turning point. Bukharin eventually lost his positions and was expelled from the Politburo, leading to Stalin's dictatorship by 1929.
• Consolidation of Power (1924-1929): Stalin established "bureaucratic centralism" as a core governing principle, using the concept of "factionalism" as a tool to silence opposition. He presented his rule as continuing Lenin's legacy while using divide-and-rule tactics, cultivating loyal supporters at lower party levels and thereby expanding his support. Fear and the secret police were key elements of his rule. He also established a cult of personality, portraying himself as the successor to Lenin.

Stalin's Foreign Policy (1924-1929)

• China: Stalin prioritized stability in Russia, supporting Jiang Jieshi of the Guomindang (GMD) over the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This decision led to criticism from Trotsky.
• Germany: The Treaty of Berlin maintained cooperation, offering financial credits from German banks to the USSR.
• Comintern Changes: Stalin shifted the Comintern's focus to attacking European "social fascists." This signaled a radical new approach to foreign relations.

Economic Shift (1928-1929)

• Great Turn: This refers to the radical shift in economic policy towards rapid industrialization and agricultural collectivization.
• Five Year Plan: The first Five Year Plan marked the beginning of this era. This was a key component of the Great Turn policy shift.