21 янв 1924 г. - Pretended to be close to Lenin

Описание:

• Gave Party members impression that Lenin favoured and trusted him.
• Organised Lenin’s funeral and established himself as the chief mourner.
• Prevented Trotsky from attending Lenin’s funeral by giving him the wrong date.
• Hence, Stalin portrayed himself as the natural successor to Lenin.

Gain supporters in Central Committee → majority support → outvote rivals → Stalin most powerful leader left

date used is when Lenin dies