Discuss the reasons why Stalin was able to become leader of the Soviet Union by 1929.

The question requires that candidates discuss the reasons why Stalin was able to become leader of the Soviet Union by 1929. Candidates may refer to Stalin’s strategies to gain prestige from presenting himself as Lenin’s chosen successor in spite of Lenin’s Testament. They may discuss his role at Lenin’s funeral and Trotsky’s non appearance. Candidates may also underline the importance of his position as General Secretary of the Communist Party. This position allowed him to increase his support in the Party via the Lenin Enrollment. He maneuvered between factions to defeat his various rivals; first of all, isolating Trotsky and then expelling Kamenev and Zinoviev from the Party. He used the debate on the New Economic Policy (NEP) to reduce the influence of Bukharin and the Right. Having adopted the policy of “Socialism in One Country” which was popular in the Party, he reinterpreted it to push for Collectivisation and Industrialization. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons why Stalin was able to become leader of the Soviet Union by 1929. This was a popular question with some excellent responses seen. Candidates were able to discuss a wide range of reasons for his becoming leader with some wide-ranging supporting knowledge provided. Weaker responses tended to offer generalisations about Stalin's personality cult and the purges of the 1930s.