Stalin’s Rise to the Top Lesson Plan

Lesson Snapshot:

• He used his administration position in the party to `network`, placing friends & people he could rely upon to support him later.
• He was able to lay claim that he was Lenin’s `natural successor`, giving him certain legitimacy with the Russian people.
• Economic Debate: In the economic debate over the future of NEP he had no set position, remaining flexible. Stalin’s position on the NEP was always slightly ambiguous. His policy shifted, reflecting the mood shifts in the party and also being sensitive to those shifts. When the NEP appeared to be working, he went along with it, yet he led the movement against the NEP with the party. What the party wanted, Stalin gave to them.
• Personality and Tactics: seen as a `non-runner` , not a main player for power, gave him an advantage as this cloaked his objective for power concealing his real ambition.
• Presented a mask concealing his ruthlessness and ambition. Only Lenin had seen early enough, but by then too late due to his illness. All others had seen too late.
• The failure of his opponents to realise his true objective, meant he was able to turn them against each other.

Powerpoint Lesson Plan:

• Aimed at Students studying across UK Year 7,8 & 9 or equivalent
• Premium resource
• Use as you wish in the classroom or home environment
• Structured powerpoint presentation and challenging tasks.
• Complete lesson plan on the change Stalin’s rise to the top.
• How did he succeed in taking control of the Communist Party and Soviet Union?