How did Joseph Stalin rise to power in the Soviet Union?

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Joseph Stalin's rise to power was a calculated process of consolidating control within the Bolshevik Party. After joining the party and adopting the name Stalin, he was appointed to the first Central Committee by Lenin in 1912. During the Russian Civil War, he held ministerial posts and, crucially, became secretary general of the Central Committee in 1922. This position allowed him to build a loyal base and outmaneuver rivals like Leon Trotsky through administrative control. Following Lenin's death, Stalin formed alliances to isolate opponents and gradually assumed undisputed leadership, promising continued strong governance. He further solidified his power through purges and the establishment of a "cult of personality".1234