In 1924, when Lenin's death cast a huge shadow over the Soviet political scene, the struggle between Stalin and Lenin's legacy became a contest for power and ideals.
Lenin, the great revolutionary, remained at his post at the end of his life, and his tenacity and perseverance were admirable. However, fate ruthlessly took his life at the age of 53. His death not only plunged the Soviet people into great grief, but also made the power struggle in the political arena more intense.
Stalin, the politician who later became the supreme leader of the Soviet Union, began his path to power after Lenin's death. He knew that in order to consolidate his position, he had to get rid of Lenin's legacy. These members of the team were all veterans with great power, and they did not buy Stalin, and even doubted his ability.
In this power struggle, Stalin showed his political wisdom and skill. Step by step, he gradually weakened the power of Lenin's team. He used all kinds of means to remove the disobedient senators from the political arena one by one. At the same time, he also actively cultivated his own power, promoting those who were loyal to him to important positions.
Trotsky, the shining star of Lenin's caste, naturally became Stalin's main opponent. He was brilliant and politically minded, but in Stalin's eyes he was a threat. Stalin took advantage of every opportunity to suppress Trotsky and even set a trap at his funeral, which made him miss the time to return to Moscow. This move was undoubtedly a heavy blow to Trotsky.
Over time, Stalin gradually consolidated his position. Through a series of political means, he succeeded in purging members of Lenin's squad from the political scene. And those veterans who once fought alongside Lenin also gradually disappeared under Stalin's suppression. In the political arena of the Soviet Union, a new power structure began to emerge with Stalin at its core.
However, Stalin was not satisfied with this. He knew that in order to truly control the political power of the Soviet Union, Lenin had to be made a "myth". As a result, he began to vigorously propagate Lenin's ideas and deeds, and portrayed Lenin as a perfect revolutionary leader. At the same time, he also tried to silence all opposition voices, and he relentlessly suppressed those who dared to challenge his authority.
Under Stalin's careful planning, the Soviet media began to publish a large number of Lenin's photographs and articles for people to remember and admire. In some photographs, Stalin and Lenin are seen sitting together inseparable, talking as if they were close comrades-in-arms. Such a picture undoubtedly deepened the people's trust and respect for Stalin.
Over time, Stalin's position in the hearts of the Soviet population grew. His prestige gradually surpassed that of others and became a central figure in the Soviet political scene. And those who used to be opposed to him gradually lost their influence under his suppression.
However, this power struggle did not end there. After Stalin had consolidated his position, he began to point the finger at other potential opponents. Kamenev and Zinoviev, two good brothers, fought alongside Stalin, but in Stalin's eyes, they became a threat to his position.
Stalin began to secretly deploy, preparing for a strike at Kamenev and Zinoviev. He used the power of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee to mobilize and dominate the party organizations in various states and localities, thus influencing the overall situation. And those veterans who had been loyal to Lenin gradually lost their foothold under Stalin's suppression.
In 1925, the 14th Party Congress of the USSR was held. At this congress, Kamenev delivered an impassioned speech in which he advocated strengthening the power of the Politburo and limiting the power of the Secretariat of the Central Committee. However, his speech did not enjoy the support of the majority. On the contrary, many people began to chant "We want Stalin, long live Stalin!" slogan.
Seeing this scene, Kamenev and Zinoviev were extremely shocked. They realized that Stalin's influence was far beyond what they could have imagined. In this power struggle, they have become losers.
Eventually, Kamenev and Zinoviev lost their political status under Stalin's repression. Stalin, on the other hand, managed to consolidate his position of power and became the absolute dominant player in the Soviet political arena.
This power struggle not only changed the political landscape of the Soviet Union, but also profoundly affected the course of Soviet history. Stalin succeeded in consolidating his position by purging Lenin's team and creating a "myth" of Lenin. However, his practice also laid a hidden danger for the later history of the Soviet Union. Under Stalin's rule, political life in the Soviet Union gradually became rigid and lacked vitality, laying the groundwork for the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union.