13.2 Stalin's Russia; ideology and change

Question 1

What was Lenin’s Testament? (2)

Answer 1

• Lenin wrote a ‘testament’ to be read to the Party Congress when he died.
• It was to offered his opinion on potential candidates for leadership.

Question 2

Who was the Testament particularly critical of and perhaps why?

Answer 2

It was particularly critical of Stalin as he had made some rude remarks to Lenin’s wife

Question 3

How did the Testament actually favour Stalin?

Answer 3

It was never read to the public so they were not exposed to Lenin’s criticism of Stalin

Question 4

Who was regarded as the ‘most able’ of the central committee?

Answer 4

Trotsky

Question 5

Who was regarded as the ‘Golden boy’ by Lenin?

Answer 5

Bukharin

Question 6

How was Trotsky described by Lenin in the Testament?

Answer 6

As the ‘most able’ of the central committee

Question 7

How was Bukharin described by Lenin in the Testament?

Answer 7

As the ‘golden boy’

Question 8

Who were close associates to Lenin nominated for candidacy in the Testament?

Answer 8

Kamenev and Zionoviev

Question 9

When was the Triumvirate alliance formed, who with and with what intention?

Answer 9

December 1922 between Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin as they aimed to opposed Trotsky; they feared his military support and uncompromising attitude

Question 10

What happened in January 1924?

Answer 10

Lenin died and Stalin gave Trotsky the wrong date for the funeral at which Stalin was able to give a speech strengthening his support

Question 11

What did Lenin publish in January 1925?

• who is not mentioned?

Answer 11

‘Lessons of October’ which show how Zinoviev and Kamenev have opposed Lenin on several issues

• Stalin is not mentioned

Question 12

What happens in the 14th party congress in July 1926? (2)

Answer 12

• 14th Party Congress Zinoviev and Kamenev call for a vote of no confidence yet loose as most voters are Stalinists
• A new Central Committee and Politburo are voted with a Stalinist-Bukharin majority

Question 13

What happens in November 1926?

Answer 13

• Zinoviev and Kamenev join Trotsky in the left-wing ‘United opposition’
• Stalin accuses them of factionalism which causes the United Opposition to collapse

Question 14

When do Zinoviev and Kamenev join Trotsky in the left-wing ‘United opposition’?

Answer 14

November 1928

Question 15

When does Bukharin contact Trotsky to try and form an alliance?

Answer 15

September 1928

Question 16

What happens on Stalin’s 50th Birthday?

Answer 16

In December 1929 Stalin celebrates his 50th birthday as undisputed soviet leader

Question 17

What is the importance of ideology in the power struggle?

Answer 17

Ideology seems to be the most important reason in the struggle for leadership as the Communists had been divided

Question 18

What was Stalin’s ideology upon the Economic policy?

Answer 18

Stalin fluctuated from Left (Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev wishing to abandon NEP) to the Right (Bukharin supporting it continuance)

Question 19

Who was on the left wishing to abandon the NEP?

Answer 19

Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev

Question 20

Who was on the right supporting the continuance of the NEP?

Answer 20

Bukharin

Question 21

What does the Stalin’s constantly changing ideology about the NEP suggest?

Answer 21

Continuance of NEP 1925-1928 could suggest he was an opportunists trying to gain the most support

Question 22

For what reason may Stalin’s have moved back to the left on the NEP?

Answer 22

Move back to the Left may be because of bread shortages and high food prices

Question 23

What was Stalin’s stance on international communism?

Answer 23

More pragmatic view that efforts should be concentrated within Russia to set example to the rest of the world; More popular

Question 24

What was Trotsky’s stance on international communism?

Answer 24

Russian’s should be working to stir up revolution elsewhere; People feared revolutionary turmoil

Question 25

Whose stance did the Russian people support most on international communism?

Answer 25

Stalin as people feared the revolutionary turmoil that was expressed in Trotsky’s ideology

Question 26

What did people from the Party think should be the nature of the Russian leadership?

Answer 26

People in the Party thought that it was time to move away from a single leader. A single leader had been good in times of conflict but no longer necessary after 1924

Question 27

How was the movement of the nature of Russian leadership propelled?

Answer 27

Though ideological it was propelled by the fear of Trotsky gaining too much influence