Social Studies 30-2 Diploma Practice Test

Joseph Stalin succeeded Lenin as the leader of the Communist Party of Russia. After Lenin's death in 1924, a power struggle ensued among various party leaders, but Stalin emerged as the dominant figure. He had previously held significant positions within the party and used his role as General Secretary to consolidate power, eventually sidelining rivals like Leon Trotsky. Under Stalin's leadership, the Communist Party implemented policies that transformed the Soviet Union, such as rapid industrialization and the collectivization of agriculture, which were part of his efforts to strengthen the nation and the party’s control. This pivot towards a more authoritarian style of governance marked a significant departure from Lenin's earlier approaches, highlighting the critical role Stalin played in shaping Soviet history in the years following Lenin's death.