The statement that Joseph Stalin was trusted and admired by Lenin, and that Lenin himself picked Stalin as his successor is FALSE.
Here's why:
1. Lack of Trust and Admiration: Lenin did not have an entirely positive view of Stalin. In Lenin's "Testament," he criticized Stalin's rudeness and recommended his removal from the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party.
2. Successor Selection: Lenin did not explicitly pick Stalin as his successor. In fact, Lenin expressed concerns about Stalin's accumulation of power and suggested that other party members consider how to remove him from the position of General Secretary.
3. Role of Successor: After Lenin's death, a power struggle ensued within the Communist Party, ultimately leading to Stalin consolidating power and becoming the leader of the Soviet Union. Stalin's rise to power was not a direct result of Lenin's explicit choice.
In summary, while Stalin did rise to power after Lenin's death, it was not due to Lenin explicitly choosing him as a successor, and Lenin's feelings towards Stalin were not solely trusting and admiring.
