General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Became synonymous with leader of the party under Stalin.

Secretariat of the CPSU Central Committee
Leading body within the Central Committee. Headed by the General Secretary or First Secretary.

Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee
The political bureau of the Central Committee and the most powerful political group of the Communist Party.

Central Committee of the Communist Party
The governing body of the Party between each Congress. Conducted the day-to-day business of the Party and the government.

Organizing Committee of the Party, or Orgcom

Party Conference
The oversight body of the Party in between Party Congresses. Usually gathered once a year.

Congress of the CPSU
The gathering of Party delegates every five years. It was the oversight body of the entire Party, in theory.

Communist Party of the Soviet Union
The only legal political party from 1923 until March 1990.

External links

• Executive Bodies of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1917-1991)

See also: Communist Party of the USSR: Structure.

Communist Party of the Soviet Union