Just prior to Vladimir Lenin's death in 1924, a 'power struggle' for authority over communist Russia came between the leaders of the Bolshevik regime, because there was no logical successor to Lenin. The members of the 'Politburo', who were divided between those on the right and those of the left, were the main players in this battle, particularly Bukharin, Zinoviev, Kamanev, Tomsky, Rykov, Trotsky and Stalin. With success depending crucially upon their abilities to gain and secure support, the true rivals were the "two major figures...Leon Trotsky and Josef Stalin" . Although Trotsky was seen as the most likely successor to Lenin, it was Stalin, regardless of his lack of intellect, who was able to establish a personal dictatorship, through his manipulative but shrewd character. However, whilst Stalin's character was strongly responsible for his rise to power, it was not the only aspect. His positions in communist power, his role as editor of the national newspaper, the factional disputes between left and right and his realistic approach contributed greatly to what was to become "the most ruthless autocracy" Russia had ever endured.

Stalin's character contributed to his rise to power in Russia, in 1917. Stalin's early life gives some indications of personality traits that came to surface during his rule. His Georgian peasantry and the violence he encountered from his drunken father can be held responsible for his physical strength and determination. Subsequently, it is easy to understand why Stalin felt a great 'antipathy' for all but his wife, the 'only person he (Stalin) had really loved' . Exposed to socialism and Marxist ideology as a young man, Stalin developed a 'deep sense of class hatred' which drove him to crimes of bank robbery and note forgery to fund the Bolshevik party. Stalin was also arrested six times for revolutionary activity, and exiled to the harsh conditions of Siberia. This experience taught him the importance of determination and self-reliance, characteristics that would prove useful during his struggle to gain leadership. Stalin's combinative character of "iron will, fearlessness, patience and shrewdness with secretiveness and cool, calculated ruthlessness" were certainly used to his advantage in his surge to power. With the ability to conceal his own ambitions, Stalin was able to convince fellow party members that Trotsky was a threat to the party and to the revolution. However, whilst Stalin's character played a significant role, one cannot disregard other contributing factors that assisted him.

Stalin's positions in the party and position as editor of 'Pravda' were clearly attributable to his seize of power over Russia in 1924. Prior to Lenin's death, Stalin had already laid the foundations for his rise to power. He gained experience from his positions as 'Commissar for Nationalities' in 1917, 'Liaison Officer' between the Politburo and the Ogburo in 1919, and the 'Head of the Workers' and Peasants' Inspectorate' in the same year. These posts involved charge over officials i

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Approximate Word count = 1278
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)