After ruling as head of the Russian government and founding the Russian Communist Party, Vladimir Lenin prepared for the course his country should take after his death. Both Lenin and his “tight inner circle” believed that his end was near due to the “series of strokes” he had during the 1920s (Sattler). He presented how different things needed to change in the Russian government to ensure the country’s successful future in his speech “Lenin’s Testament” (Sattler). During his last testament, Lenin strongly suggested that Joseph Stalin be removed from his position within the Russian Communist Party. In 1924, he succumbed to a massive stroke which led to some major problems within the party (Sattler). In the middle of the conflicts within the
…show more content…
However, after these alliances took care of his enemies, Stalin had no qualms turning against those who helped him and labeling them his new enemies. He used the Cheka created by Lenin to “arrest, torture and murder his enemies” (Sattler). In the early hours of the morning, the Cheka would kidnap residents from their own homes and then would be bathed roughly before being placed into small cells. Stalin’s enemies waited in cells too cramped for quality sleep, exposed to the harsh winter, and hungry from irregular meal times until they were brought out of the cell to be tortured. They were tortured until they were ready to confess to crimes they did not commit. Even after their confession, they would continue to be tortured until they “believed that they had committed those crimes” (Sattler). After this process, the prisoner would be ready to stand trial. The only purpose of the trials Stalin’s enemies were put through as to convince the people of Russia that the Russian Communist Party would protect them no matter the person’s position. When the trail ended, the prisoner would either be “executed immediately or sentenced to labor for the state” (Sattler). Stalin was able to have total control and power over Russia due to the fear he instilled in the Russian
However, after these alliances took care of his enemies, Stalin had no qualms turning against those who helped him and labeling them his new enemies. He used the Cheka created by Lenin to “arrest, torture and murder his enemies” (Sattler). In the early hours of the morning, the Cheka would kidnap residents from their own homes and then would be bathed roughly before being placed into small cells. Stalin’s enemies waited in cells too cramped for quality sleep, exposed to the harsh winter, and hungry from irregular meal times until they were brought out of the cell to be tortured. They were tortured until they were ready to confess to crimes they did not commit. Even after their confession, they would continue to be tortured until they “believed that they had committed those crimes” (Sattler). After this process, the prisoner would be ready to stand trial. The only purpose of the trials Stalin’s enemies were put through as to convince the people of Russia that the Russian Communist Party would protect them no matter the person’s position. When the trail ended, the prisoner would either be “executed immediately or sentenced to labor for the state” (Sattler). Stalin was able to have total control and power over Russia due to the fear he instilled in the Russian