Answer :

Final answer:

The main contenders to succeed Vladimir Lenin after his death in 1924 were Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. Stalin ultimately won the power struggle, despite Lenin's earlier reservations about him expressed in 'Lenin's testament,' by leveraging his control over the Communist bureaucracy and suppressing opposition.

Explanation:

When Vladimir Lenin died in 1924, there was no clear successor to lead the Soviet Union. The two front runners to replace Lenin were Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. Trotsky was a key figure in the creation of the Red Army and advocated for rapid industrialization and the promotion of global revolutionary movements. Stalin, on the other hand, was more focused on maintaining the New Economic Policy (NEP) and pursuing a less radical approach to industrialization. Despite initially being in Lenin's favor, Stalin fell out of it before Lenin's death. However, due to his control over the Communist bureaucracy and tactical political maneuvering, Stalin ultimately succeeded Lenin and consolidated his power by defeating his rivals, including Trotsky and Zinoviev.

Stalin's ascent to power involved a careful strategy to demonstrate a continuity of leadership and align himself with Lenin's legacy, despite Lenin having reservations about Stalin's suitability which were detailed in letters known as 'Lenin's testament'. These documents were suppressed by the Party, preventing a public discourse on Lenin's true opinions on his possible successors. After several years of political struggle, Stalin emerged victorious, shaping the Soviet Union into an authoritarian state under his control, dramatically altering Russian society and governance in the process.

Thanks for taking the time to read Who were the front runners to replace Vladimir Lenin upon his death Who ended up winning that competition. We hope the insights shared have been valuable and enhanced your understanding of the topic. Don�t hesitate to browse our website for more informative and engaging content!

Rewritten by : Barada