Letters from Tomis

It is easy to paint past socialist efforts in cold war rhetoric of good and evil. Stalin is a prime example, often portrayed as the embodiment of tyranny and oppression. However, this simplistic view overlooks the complex political landscape of the time, where ideological battles were fought not only on the battlefield but also in the courts of public opinion. The decisions made during Stalin’s regime, while undeniably controversial, were influenced by a range of factors, including the need for rapid industrialization and security concerns arising from external threats. By analyzing these historical events through a more nuanced lens, we can better understand the multifaceted nature of political ideologies and their implications for society.

This is my research on Stalin’s sidelining other members of the “Old Bolsheviks” group of leaders. Any mistakes are mine alone. This is Part 1 of 2.

Introduction: Lenin’s “Testament” (1922–23) was a document in which Vladimir Lenin assessed top Soviet leaders and famously recommended removing Joseph Stalin from his post as General Secretary. Despite this clear warning, Stalin was not removed from power. Several political factors allowed Stalin to outmaneuver Lenin’s wishes and consolidate authority.

Suppression of Lenin’s Testament

Lenin’s Testament was kept from the broader Communist Party membership, blunting its impact. In May 1924, just after Lenin’s death, the Party’s Central Committee–already influenced by Stalin–agreed that the testament would not be published or openly discussed. Instead, it was only read in private to each delegation at the 13th Party Congress and note-taking or public reference to it was banned. This partial suppression meant most Soviet party members never even knew Lenin had advised Stalin’s removal, so it caused no immediate push to depose Stalin. When the document was presented to top Bolsheviks, Stalin’s allies defended him and downplayed Lenin’s criticisms, preventing any action. For example, senior Bolsheviks Grigory Zinoviev and Lev Kamenev argued against using Lenin’s letter to oust Stalin, citing the need for party unity. Trotsky – Stalin’s chief rival–also remained silent, not wanting to appear divisive so soon after Lenin’s death. With Stalin’s supporters controlling the process, Lenin’s warning was effectively buried, and Stalin retained his position as General Secretary.

Stalin’s Control of the Party Machinery

By the time Lenin’s testament surfaced, Stalin had built a strong power base within the Communist Party. As General Secretary (a position he assumed in 1922), Stalin oversaw party organization and personnel decisions. He used this role to appoint loyalists to key posts across the party, creating a patronage network beholden to him. This control over the party apparatus meant that Stalin could outvote or isolate opponents in party committees. Even before Lenin died, Stalin was placing supporters in important positions and cultivating an image as Lenin’s closest confidant and heir. By early 1924, the Party’s Central Committee was largely dominated by Stalin’s allies. Thus, when Lenin’s testament threatened Stalin, the very people who could remove him were his own appointees or supporters. Stalin’s institutional power and influence within the party shielded him from Lenin’s posthumous critique.

Divided and Weak Opposition

Stalin’s potential opponents were divided and often aided him (unintentionally). Leon Trotsky, who was Lenin’s most prominent associate and the natural alternative to Stalin, lacked a strong base within the party leadership. Other Bolshevik leaders were wary of Trotsky’s ambitions and intellectual dominance, so they did not unite behind him. In fact, Zinoviev and Kamenev initially sided with Stalin to form a “troika” (triumvirate) against Trotsky in 1922–23. Their alliance with Stalin was aimed at checking Trotsky’s power, and as part of this, they helped prevent Lenin’s critical testament from being fully disclosed at the 12th Party Congress while Lenin was alive. By collaborating with Stalin early on, these leaders neutralized Trotsky–the one figure strong enough to potentially lead a movement to remove Stalin. Trotsky himself made tactical mistakes: he did not press the issue of Lenin’s testament at the 13th Congress and even missed Lenin’s funeral (partly due to miscommunication by Stalin), which undermined his standing. All of this meant there was no unified front to oppose Stalin. Ironically, Zinoviev and Kamenev later realized the danger of Stalin’s rise and belatedly joined Trotsky in opposition in 1926, but by then Stalin was too powerful. Years afterward, Zinoviev bitterly remarked on their earlier error–noting that he and Kamenev had “saved [Stalin] from political downfall” by suppressing Lenin’s testament in 1924. This disunity and the miscalculations of Stalin’s rivals gave Stalin free rein to consolidate power without being removed.

Lenin’s Illness and Timing of His Death

Lenin’s declining health also played a crucial role. Lenin was incapacitated by a series of strokes starting in late 1922, which left him increasingly removed from daily politics. In Lenin’s absence, Stalin had been entrusted with significant responsibilities (such as controlling access to Lenin) and used the time to strengthen his position. Lenin did dictate his “Testament” during this period, but after a severe stroke in March 1923, Lenin could no longer personally guide the party or ensure his recommendations were followed. He died in January 1924, a moment when the party was in mourning and no one wanted a divisive power struggle. Stalin expertly took charge of Lenin’s funeral and presented himself as Lenin’s loyal successor, which raised his stature among Bolsheviks. When Lenin’s testament was finally brought to the Party leadership after his death, Stalin offered to resign as General Secretary–a move likely meant to appear humble. However, the other leaders rejected Stalin’s resignation to preserve unity, since pushing him out right after Lenin’s death could have split the party. This meant Lenin’s final plea fell on a party unwilling to act on it. The timing of Lenin’s illness and death thus allowed Stalin to entrench himself before any coordinated challenge could materialize. By the time Lenin’s warnings were heard, Stalin was firmly ensconced in the leadership and most colleagues were either loyal to him or fearful of dividing the party.

Conclusion: In summary, Lenin’s testament did not remove Stalin because Stalin and his allies managed to suppress the document’s circulation, and Stalin had already secured control over the party bureaucracy. His rivals were either too divided or hesitant to unite against him, and Lenin was no longer alive or active enough to enforce his own recommendations. All these factors combined meant that Lenin’s cautionary words went unheeded, and Stalin was able to consolidate power unchallenged, eventually emerging as the undisputed leader of the Soviet Union.

Stay tune for a more detailed analysis of Stalin’s rise to power in Part 2.