Is this true..............?

Stalin harnessed control of the Soviet Union by first starting out as secretary of the Communist party. This gave him a powerful position in the governmental system. After Lenin passed away, a successor was to be determined. Stalin was able to uniquely form alliances with the intent of diminishing rivals individually, as opposed to the other leaders' tactic of taking sides based on actual beliefs. His strongest opponent, Leon Trotsky, was exiled outside the Soviet Union due to mistrusting party leaders uniting against him. All other leaders were discredited and he was left as successor.