Vladimir Lenin (left) and Josef Stalin (right) in Gorki, 1922. Lenin suffered a stroke in 1922, forcing him into semi-retirement in Gorki. Stalin visited him often, acting as his intermediary with the outside world,but the pair quarreled and their relationship deteriorated. Lenin dictated increasingly disparaging notes on Stalin in what would become his testament. He criticized Stalin's political views, rude manners, and excessive power and ambition, and suggested that Stalin should be removed from the position of general secretary. Lenin, who had led the Russian Revolution and founded the Soviet state died in 1923, and was succeeded by Stalin, who adopted more dictatorial methods of governing than Lenin.