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This fully resourced lesson continues Key Topic 3 of the Edexcel 9–1 GCSE History course on Russia and the Soviet Union (1917–41), focusing on how Stalin systematically removed his rivals in the years following Lenin’s death. It provides a clear, chronological breakdown of Stalin’s key moves to eliminate opposition both within and beyond the Communist Party.

The PowerPoint covers:

Stalin’s key steps in marginalising Trotsky and other rivals (e.g. Kamenev, Zinoviev, Bukharin)

The manipulation of Lenin’s Funeral, Stalin’s role as General Secretary, and use of party loyalty

The idea of ideological flexibility and Stalin’s policy shifts to outmanoeuvre opponents

A timeline task to help students consolidate key events and understand cause and effect

Recap questions and built-in knowledge checks

A structured exam-style question with guidance to support extended writing

What’s Included:

Full editable PowerPoint (no textbook needed)

Knowledge recap tasks, key vocabulary, and stretch prompts built into the lesson

Timeline construction activity to build chronological understanding

Differentiated written task to support all learners

Embedded discussion opportunities for whole-class engagement

Bonus: Additional homework PowerPoint version for independent reinforcement

This lesson is part of a cohesive scheme for Key Topic 3, designed to maximise clarity and exam confidence while building rich contextual knowledge. It’s ideal for departments aiming to stretch students beyond the textbook with high-quality, ready-to-teach resources that minimise planning time and maximise progress.