Trotsky and Lenin's Consolidation of Power

Stalen's ascendancy to sole dictatorship was already under way before lenon died, writes Alexei Kovalev. He says stallin exploited his hiring and firing prerogatives to promote allies and re assign rivals. In october 19 24, trotsky had a chance to possibly receize the political initiative, he adds. But lessons of october may have been cathartic and scored a few tactical hits against his rivals, strategically, it proved to be a major, perhaps fatal, setback," Kovalev argues.