In 1924, Lenin died and left a vacuum at the top of the Communist Party. By 1928, Stalin had eliminated or neutralized all of his opposition and had assembled a group of officials who made up the inner circle. It was these men who helped create and carry out Stalin’s policies. Throughout his reign, Stalin would periodically purge this group to eliminate the threat of powerful adversaries. By World War II, the inner circle was set for the next decade. By and large this elite was composed of shallow 'yes men' who were ineffective in ruling the country and destructive in the personal use of their power.
