• Joseph Stalin's rise started after the October revolution when the tsar was taken out
• of power and the Bolsheviks took over
• He was appointed the general secretary of the communist party; this role seemed minor but played an important role in his rise to power
• His position allowed him to appoint his supporters to high ranking positions, thereby setting up a foundation for his rise to power
• Vladimir Lenin the leader of the USSR and the revolution grew scared of the growing power of Stalin but had a stroke that forced him into an early retirement making any direct actions against
• Stalin impossible although he did write a letter suggesting his dismissal from the party. Stalin managed to down play the letter without much harm to his
• of power and the Bolsheviks took over
• He was appointed the general secretary of the communist party; this role seemed minor but played an important role in his rise to power
• His position allowed him to appoint his supporters to high ranking positions, thereby setting up a foundation for his rise to power
• Vladimir Lenin the leader of the USSR and the revolution grew scared of the growing power of Stalin but had a stroke that forced him into an early retirement making any direct actions against
• Stalin impossible although he did write a letter suggesting his dismissal from the party. Stalin managed to down play the letter without much harm to his