What limits were there on

1
Stalin defeated by Politburo over demand to
execute Ryutin in 1932
Stalin forced to call a temporary halt to
collectivisation programme in 1930 Dizzy with
success speech
Ordzhonikidze opposed the Terror died in 1937
after compulsory suicide
Opposition from within party leadership
What limits were there on Stalins power?
Factors outside the party.
Possible that opposition to Stalin organised
around popular Kirov assassinated 1934.
Stalin forced to lower over-ambitious targets
for 2nd FYP by Politburo
Some evidence that Terror out of control used by
local parties to eliminate rivals for
power (Smolensk CP archive)