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Balances of Leadership in the Soviet Union

 

            Differing visions and leadership conflict, overall played an important factor but only to a small extent, in shaping the history of the Soviet Union. During the first six months, following the Bolshevik Revolution, they led with one vision and one leader, Lenin, despite some minor debates, and followed through the vital civil war period, where survival was she only goal. However, the NEP, led to debate within the party with the power struggle breaking down the party. Once Stalin was in control, part ideology and leadership all came under his leadership.
             Following the successful revolution, the first 6 months of power was to a small extent shaped by differing visions and leadership conflict, with Russia following one ideology, led by an undisputed Lenin whilst conflict arousing from the peace treaty. Since pre-revolution, the Bolsheviks had direction and a leader, provided through the April theses and was implemented through populist policies including, the land decree and workers' rights policies. The party, led by a small vanguard, began implementing communist (Leninist) ideologies whilst gaining popular support amongst the population, by succeeding their campaign slogan, peace bread and land for example. As a result, differing visions played a minor role, and is further elaborated as Lenin took upon the leadership role uncontested. Leadership conflict, played to a small extent, a role in shaping the history of the Soviet Union, as Lenin had popular support, and despite not having great success in the election of the constituent assembly, with Bolsheviks only gaining 24% of the votes, through the Cheka, Lenin made sure that leadership conflict was non-existent, and further achieved this through a series of purges within the party and society. However conflict did arise over the peace treaty with Germany, and split the party into two. As a result of Trotsky's failure to achieve a successful treaty, through his "no peace no war strategy" the part divided between the leftists and the rights, resolved as a result of Lenin's threat to resign as a leader.


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