Why did Stalin rather than Trotsky emerge as the leader of the USSR in 1929? Trotsky was the one who had planned the November revolution, and it was he who organized the Red Army and led them to war against the White Army, travelling everywhere in his armoured train. Well, there are several factors which could have attributed to it, and I have branded them into 2 categories - namely political and social.

Politically, Stalin was far superior compared to Trotsky, for Stalin was skilful and cunning, going all out to develop his power base in the party and gaining the support of the masses, all the while eradicating Trotsky's power base. Trotsky was no good at political intrigue, making alliances and trade-offs, whereas Stalin had many a times formed alliances to defeat individuals one at a time, effectively reducing his potential opponents in the struggle for power.

Moreover, Stalin...