13.2 Stalin's Russia; ideology and change Flashcards
What was Lenin’s Testament? (2)
- 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.
Who was the Testament particularly critical of and perhaps why?
It was particularly critical of Stalin as he had made some rude remarks to Lenin’s wife
How did the Testament actually favour Stalin?
It was never read to the public so they were not exposed to Lenin’s criticism of Stalin
Who was regarded as the ‘most able’ of the central committee?
Trotsky
Who was regarded as the ‘Golden boy’ by Lenin?
Bukharin
How was Trotsky described by Lenin in the Testament?
As the ‘most able’ of the central committee
How was Bukharin described by Lenin in the Testament?
As the ‘golden boy’
Who were close associates to Lenin nominated for candidacy in the Testament?
Kamenev and Zionoviev
When was the Triumvirate alliance formed, who with and with what intention?
December 1922 between Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin as they aimed to opposed Trotsky; they feared his military support and uncompromising attitude
What happened in January 1924?
Lenin died and Stalin gave Trotsky the wrong date for the funeral at which Stalin was able to give a speech strengthening his support
What did Lenin publish in January 1925?
- who is not mentioned?
‘Lessons of October’ which show how Zinoviev and Kamenev have opposed Lenin on several issues
- Stalin is not mentioned
What happens in the 14th party congress in July 1926? (2)
- 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
What happens in November 1926?
- Zinoviev and Kamenev join Trotsky in the left-wing ‘United opposition’
- Stalin accuses them of factionalism which causes the United Opposition to collapse
When do Zinoviev and Kamenev join Trotsky in the left-wing ‘United opposition’?
November 1928
When does Bukharin contact Trotsky to try and form an alliance?
September 1928
What happens on Stalin’s 50th Birthday?
In December 1929 Stalin celebrates his 50th birthday as undisputed soviet leader
What is the importance of ideology in the power struggle?
Ideology seems to be the most important reason in the struggle for leadership as the Communists had been divided
What was Stalin’s ideology upon the Economic policy?
Stalin fluctuated from Left (Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev wishing to abandon NEP) to the Right (Bukharin supporting it continuance)
Who was on the left wishing to abandon the NEP?
Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev
Who was on the right supporting the continuance of the NEP?
Bukharin
What does the Stalin’s constantly changing ideology about the NEP suggest?
Continuance of NEP 1925-1928 could suggest he was an opportunists trying to gain the most support
For what reason may Stalin’s have moved back to the left on the NEP?
Move back to the Left may be because of bread shortages and high food prices
What was Stalin’s stance on international communism?
More pragmatic view that efforts should be concentrated within Russia to set example to the rest of the world; More popular
What was Trotsky’s stance on international communism?
Russian’s should be working to stir up revolution elsewhere; People feared revolutionary turmoil
Whose stance did the Russian people support most on international communism?
Stalin as people feared the revolutionary turmoil that was expressed in Trotsky’s ideology
What did people from the Party think should be the nature of the Russian leadership?
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
How was the movement of the nature of Russian leadership propelled?
Though ideological it was propelled by the fear of Trotsky gaining too much influence
