How Stalin became a personal dictator in Communist Russia Revising for Paper 2 How Stalin became a personal dictator in Communist Russia

Task: You are going to produce 3 mind maps to show how Stalin became a personal dictator of Russia following the death of Lenin

Instructions: You are going to create a mind map. It is important that you COPY each mind-map into your exercise book; this is active revision. Highlight important points Then complete the short test to see what you have learnt.

Death & Funeral of Lenin 1922-1923 Lenin suffered number of strokes Died January 1924 This was a shock to Russia Lenin seem as hero of establishment of Communism Petrograd renamed Leningrad Death & Funeral of Lenin Stalin’s origins humble – son of shoemaker from Georgia Became a Bolshevik Had taken part in various illegal activities – e.g. had robbed bank Reputation for ruthlessness 1917 became loyal supported of Lenin on Bolshevik Central Committee Worked way up to become General Secretary of Party. Good organises Hated intellectuals – preferred simple, practical ideas. Background of Stalin Lenin’s Death Background of Trotsky Born to Jewish farmers in Ukraine Very clever Developed revolutionary ideas – shown in this writings Before 1917 living abroad in exile – publishing books & newspapers. March 1917 returned to Russia & joined Bolshevik Party September 1917 became Chairman of Petrograd Soviet Took charge of planning of Bolshevik Revolution Commissar of War – created Red Army of 3 million men to defeat Whites in Civil War Lenin’s Testament Written in 1922 after first stroke Jan 1923 added info. criticising Stalin After his death Stalin persuaded leading Bolsheviks not to publish this – said it would not be in best interest of party unity.

Who should be the next ruler? Stalin’s claims to power Loyal Bolshevik for many years under Lenin. Made sure seen as Lenin’s right-hand man – included doctoring photographs Organised Lenin’s funeral Excellent organiser Controlled party machine as General Secretary ‘Socialism in One Country’ - wanted to build up Communism in USSR first – before expanding influence beyond Trotsky’s claims to power Carried out Bolshevik takeover of Oct/Nov 1917 Created & led Red Army to victory in Civil War Enthusiastic writer & speaker ‘World Revolution’ - wanted Communism to spread to all developed countries as quickly as possible. Who should be the next ruler? Communist rule in later 1920s After Lenin’s death no automatic leader Before Lenin’s death USSR been created – incorporated all non-Russian areas to form the Russian Empire Many in these no-Russian areas did not like this Censorship been imposed under Lenin Bolsheviks had many enemies Communist propaganda was developing Statues and paintings of Lenin appeared all over the country.

The Power Struggle Stalin Trotsky Used Lenin’s funeral to advance his own position – took role chief mourner; Trotsky not present – had been recuperating from illness in the south – Stalin deliberately told him wrong date so he could not attend. Ensured Lenin’s testament not made public Published a book after Lenin’s death ‘The Foundations of Leninism’ – praised Lenin’s ideas Used position as General secretary to appoint own supports Became editor of party newspaper – Pravda His policy appealed to war-weary Russians Suffered because he was a Jew (a lot of anti-Semitism at the time) 1925 dismissed as Commissar of War 1926 dismissed with Kamenev & Zinoviev from Politburo 1927 expelled from Communist Party 1929 expelled from USSR STALIN WAS IN CONTROL

Test your knowledge… Click on the following link to BBC bite size and complete the short test http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/quiz/q42336154

Example question b.) ESSAY QUESTION ‘Stalin was bound to become dictator after Lenin’s death. There was no other choice’ Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer (12 marks)

Recipe for Success! 1. Highlight the topic in the question that you are being asked to show knowledge of. ‘Stalin was bound to become dictator after Lenin’s death. There was no other choice’ Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer (12 marks)

Recipe for Success! 2. Identify were you AGREE with the topic in the question E.g. Stalin as bound to become dictator (next ruler) because… 3. Identify were you DISAGREE with the topic in the question E.g. Trotsky could also have become the next ruler because…

Writing up your answer You need to write approx. 3 paragraphs to show where you AGREE with the view in the question You then need to write approx. 3 paragraphs to show where you DISAGREE with the view in the question Write a CONCLUSION – make a decision do you AGREE or DISAGREE with the view in the question? EXPLAIN you answer

Now it’s your turn… What points would you include to AGREE with the view? Stalin was bound to become the next leader because… What points would you include to AGREE with the view? Trotsky could also have been the next leader because… Conclusion: What do you think was Stalin bound to become the next leader? Explain you answer.