What happened to the USSR after Stalin died?

Answer 1

Stalin used the post of General Secretary to find out about everything that was going on in the party and to make sure that all posts were filled by his supporters. He managed to build up support for himself throughout Russia. When the other leaders discovered what had been going on, it was too late to do anything about it.

In 1922 Lenin wrote a "Political Testament". In it he said that Trotsky should become the leader of Russia after him. Lenin also suggested that the other Bolshevik leaders should find a way of getting rid of Stalin. However, when the will was given to the Bolshevik leaders after Lenin's death in 1924, they decided not to publish it, because they did not want Trotsky to take over. He was unpopular.

Between 1924 and 1929 Stalin managed to force most of the other leading Bolsheviks out of power. He sided with one group and then another, gradually isolating the other leading Bolsheviks.

Stalin's main target was Trotsky, who left the Soviet Union (as Russia was now called) for good in 1929. The others, like Kamenev, Bukharin and Zinoviev retired from their posts. Stalin used his support throughout the country to undermine his opponents and backed one against the other. By 1928 he had total control.

Answer 2

There was no-one there to rule so Stalin thought it would be an "Amazing" chance to rule.

Answer 3

Nikita Krushchev in the 20th party congress set up a "secret session" and began a period of de-stalinization

Answer 4

Leon Trotsky