Investor Presentaiton
Russia."181
Notably, Kaganovich and his brothers also refused to join the Bund, even though it
was Communist and anti-Zionist. 182
The national chauvinism that Kaganovich references above is clearly reflective of Stalin's
language on nationalities. Stalin and Kaganovich's relationship would continue to grow in the
early 1920s. Kaganovich recalls this era as one of particular closeness within the Party
leadership, of which he was now included. He fondly recalls how on nights walking around the
Kremlin, he, Stalin, Molotov, Kuibyshev, "and whoever else" would joke and talk to each other
as friends. 183 He notes there was little security, and the Party leadership were small in number
and exceptionally close; "That was the kind of period it was,” he recalls. 184 "It was a happy
period of life. And Stalin was in a good mood. Sometimes we would sit for ages around a table
"185
chatting." During these years, Kaganovich was also regularly invited to Stalin's dacha with
others such as Molotov or Bukharin, and they would enjoy “long convivial gatherings” together
there.
186
Kaganovich's political rise and close relationship with Stalin paid off when Stalin
appointed him as the general secretary of the Ukrainian Communist Party in 1925. He held that
position until 1928, when he was replaced by Stanislav Kosior. 187 Kaganovich was sent to
Ukraine to perform a number of tasks, most notably imposing the Ukrainization policy that
181 Ibid.
182 Rees, Iron Lazar, 6.
183 Chuev, Tak govoril Kaganovich, 190.
184 Ibid.
185 Ibid.
186 Ibid, 75.
187
Kaganovich, Pamiatnye zapiski, 61.
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