1912
Stalin becomes Editor of Pravda
Jan-12
Bolsheviks separate from Social Democrats, Stalin appointed to the Party's Central Committee by Lenin.
1917
Stalin appointed commissar for nationalities
Feb-17
Russian Revolution. The Tsar's government falls, replaced with a provisional govt.
Oct-17
Bolsheviks overthrow Provisional Government, seize power. Stalin plays only a minor role
1918 to 1920
Russian civil war. Trotsky organizes Red Army; Stalin commands forces in Tsaritsyn, Petrograd (St. Petersburg), and elsewhere.
1919
Stalin appointed head of workers' &peasants' inspectorate
Apr-22
Stalin elected General Secretary of the Communist Party
1922
Lenin suffers his first stroke and while he recovers Russia was ruled by the triumvirate (Stalin, Kamanev and Zinoviev) which had emerged as an anti-Trotsky bloc.
December 15 1922
Lenin suffers a second stroke. Stalin takes charge of Lenin's doctors and restricted visitors. Lenin's secretaries reported to Stalin everything he said.
Jan-23
Lenin's Testament, warns the Party to remove Stalin from power. "I suggest that the comrades think about a way to remove Stalin from the post. And outlines his desire for collective leadership
Oct-23
Censure is passed against Trotsky for 'factionalism'. Kamenev and Zinoviev pressed for his expulsion from the party; but Stalin,opposed this and the motion was turned down.
Jan-24
Lenin dies
May-24
Stalin survives the reading of Lenin's Testament by the Central Committee. He offers to reign but Kamenev & Zinoviev oppose this.
May-24
Stalin publicly attacks Trotsky for being unfaithful to "Leninism.
1925
Stalin joins rightists (Bukharin, Tomsky & Rykov) and starts attacks on leftists
1926
At the Fifteenth Party Congress, Stalin attacks the "United Opposition" of Zinoviev, Kamenev, and Trotsky.
1927
Beginning of the first 5 year plan
Nov-27
Kamenev and Zinoviev expelled from the Party; Trotsky expelled and sent to Central Asia.
Apr-29
Stalin begins assault on Bukharin
Nov-29
Bukharin removed from the Politburo
Dec-29
Stalin announces "liquidation of the kulaks as a class"; collectivization begins