Stalin's Rise to Power

About the lecture

In this module, we think about how Stalin found himself as undisputed leader of the Soviet Union in the years following the death of Lenin in 1924. In particular, we focus on the importance of his position as General Secretary of the Communist Party, his opposition to both Trotsky and the Right Opposition, and his criticism of the New Economic Policy from 1927 onwards.

About the lecturer

Dr Arfon Rees was a Reader in Soviet and Russian History at the University of Birmingham. He was the author of three monographs and ten edited volumes on the development of the Soviet political system, including studies of the formation of the Stalinist system, the study of economic policy making, the study of centre-local relations, the study of the role of individuals, and the function of the leader cult.