Answer:
The main idea of the power struggle between Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky within the Soviet Union can be summarized as a fierce and ideological battle for control over the future direction of the Soviet state and the legacy of the Bolshevik Revolution. Here are the key points:
Ideological Differences: Stalin and Trotsky represented opposing factions within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Trotsky was a proponent of "permanent revolution" and believed in spreading communism globally. Stalin, on the other hand, advocated for "socialism in one country," focusing on building a strong and self-reliant Soviet state. Their differences in ideology laid the foundation for their power struggle.
Leadership After Lenin: After the death of Vladimir Lenin in 1924, a power vacuum emerged. Trotsky, as one of the leaders of the Red Army and a key figure in the Bolshevik Revolution, was a prominent candidate to succeed Lenin. However, Stalin, as General Secretary of the Communist Party, used his position to consolidate power and undermine Trotsky.
Struggle for Control: Stalin and his allies, including key figures like Nikolai Bukharin and Grigory Zinoviev, engaged in a campaign to discredit and marginalize Trotsky. Trotsky was removed from key positions and eventually expelled from the Communist Party and the Soviet Union.
Stalin's Victory: Over time, Stalin succeeded in consolidating his power and becoming the de facto leader of the Soviet Union. He established a cult of personality, centralized control, and initiated a series of policies (such as the Five-Year Plans and collectivization) that transformed the Soviet Union into an industrial and military superpower.
Exile and Assassination: Trotsky, unable to gain power within the Soviet Union, went into exile, moving from one country to another. Stalin's agents pursued him, and in 1940, Trotsky was assassinated in Mexico.
In summary, the power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky was a clash of ideologies and personalities that ultimately led to Stalin's consolidation of power and the transformation of the Soviet Union into a totalitarian state. Trotsky's exile and eventual assassination marked the end of the opposition to Stalin's rule, solidifying his grip on the Soviet government.
Step-by-step explanation: