Stalin's Victory

• In 1925, Stalin carried out his first step to power; getting rid of his main contestor, Trotsky. The Anti-Trotsky alliance was formed consisting of Bukharin, Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin. Stalin dominated the party, and adopted the NEP, which at the time was becoming more popular.
• At the thirteenth party congress of 1924, Stalin used his power as General Secretary to fill the congress with his own supporters. As a result, all Trotsky's proposals were rejected. As Trotsky's reputation was worsened by Stalin and the other members of the party, he lost his position as head of the red army at the Seventeenth party congress, 1925.
• Stalin's second step into power, was to form an alliance with Bukharin. The two of them dominated the party, controlling press and media, which allowed them to promote their own strengths and bring down the other contestants. Zinoviev and Kamenev, or 'The United Opposition' were accused of factionalism (going against the party) and were expelled.
• In 1928, Stalin allied against Bukharin after his flexible political views allowed him to make a 'U-Turn'. He rejected NEP views and favoured rapid industrialisation. These were Trotsky's original views, but at this exact point, adopting these views gave Stalin a strong position in the party, as people were beginning to reject the NEP due to a large level of unemployment.
• In December 1929, After Stalin was the last man standing in the long and dishonest power struggle, he became the definite leader of the Soviet Union.