of War Communism. Stalin's role in the revolution was relatively minor but he did later become General Secretary of the Communist Party which gave him a position where access to Lenin could be had. After the death of Lenin in 1928, the Soviet Union was left in a void. The powerful leader that they once loved and knew was gone. Stalin and Leon Trotsky were popular successors due to their positions in the revolution. However the two were bitter enemies and Stalin immediately began a "smear campaign" to destroy Trotsky's reputation amongst the people. Stalin was successful and by 1928, Trotsky was exiled and the Politburo (a group of twelve leading members of the Bolshevik Party) recognized Stalin as their leader. Stalin had finally achieved his goal of power, and now he had to st
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