Why were Stalin’s opponents unable to prevent him from becoming the leader of the USSR by 1929?

The communist party was split in half during the 20’s with Trotsky and Zinoviev on the left and Bukharin on the right. Stalin however separated himself from both groups and was in the middle. Stalin knew that if he was going to succeed Lenin as supreme leader of the communist party he would have to defeat Trotsky, as he posed the largest threat to him.

Trotsky was seen as the most likely successor to Lenin by members of the communist party in 1924. Trotsky was the leader of the red army during both the October revolution and the civil war; he was seen to be Lenin’s right hand man. Stalin however was seen to be in the administrative role and was described as having a dull personality. Trotsky also was an intellect and was a brilliant speaker; both qualities Stalin did not possess. Trotsky however was unpopular, he was from a wealthy Jewish family and was very arrogant resulting from his intellectual background. Trotsky did not convert from the Menshevik’s to the communists until the summer of 1917 which was seen by some as evidence of his lack of commitment to the party.

Stalin’s role as General Secretary of the party gave him control of the business of the politburo, he organised meetings thereby being able to decide what was discussed and what information members were given. He also used his role as organising the party votes and meetings to