10 Deeply Personal Historical Rivalries

The feud between Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky began in earnest with the death of Lenin, having led the revolution and turned Russia into a communist nation; his death brought up a question that often tends to splinter groups: 'who is the successor?'

Many in Russia believed Trotsky should be the next leader; far more academically intelligent than Stalin, he was seen as the party's natural second-in-command. But by political sabotage and manoeuvring Stalin was able to place people who supported him into important roles, guaranteeing his inevitable success.

Stalin gave Trotsky the incorrect day of Lenin's funeral, mostly so he could go on about how he loved Lenin and the person who should take over would be here, by the way where's Trotsky?

Stalin also carried on with one of the most famous photo editing campaigns ever, removing key figures, including Trotsky, from photographs in a literal and figurative attempt to take them out of the picture.

Trotsky would continue to criticise Stalin's ideas, specifically his assertion that Stalin was removing the democratic elements from the Socialist order.

Trotsky was exiled from Russia and eventually found his way to Mexico, where he was assassinated in 1940 with an ice pick to the head by a communist agent (most likely ordered by Stalin).

Joe just wanted it more.