3.13 New leaders and ideologies, 1917-41 Flashcards
Following an armistice in November, what split the Bolsheviks?
At peace negotiations in Dec 1917, Germans demanded large swathes of Russian territory
- Nikolai Bukharin leading the ‘revolutionary war group - wanted to pursue war
What was Trotsky’s solution to the war?
‘neither peace or war’ - retreating further if necessary, awaiting the revolution in the West
What view did Lenin take over the German’s terms to peace?
argued for acceptance of the German terms - Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
When was Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed?
3 March 1918 - ratified by emergency Party congress
(Only after Lenin twice offered to resign)
What did the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk set the precedent for?
the priority of ‘socialism at home’ over the spread of international revolution
What of its population did Russia lose in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
1/6 of its population (62 million people)
How much land did Russia lose in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
2 million km²
What area was taken in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
The area that produced almost 1/3 of Russia’s agricultural produce
What percentage of its railway lines did Russia lose in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
26%
What percentage of iron ore and coal supplies did Russia lose in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
74%
Shortly before the October Revolution, in State and Revolution, what did Lenin write would happen after revolution?
an expansion of democracy, with ‘the people’ managing their own affairs + a reduction of state bureaucracy
In what ways did Lenin have little control over his early decrees in November and December?
peasants were already seizing land, and workers already taking over factories
What happened when civilians demonstrated against the dispersal of the Constituent Assembly?
They were fired on + 12 were killed
What else had Lenin written in State and Revolution, which supported his dispersal of the Constituent Assembly?
he had written of the need for a strong party to provide ‘the dictatorship of the proletariat’ + to crush any bourgeois attitudes or values that remained after revolution
When did the ‘coalition government’ between the Bolsheviks and left-wing SRs break up?
The left-wing SRs walked out of Sovnarkom in protest of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
From when did the Bolsheviks formally adopt the title of …?
From March 1918, the Bolsheviks formally adopted the title of ‘Communist Party’ and governed alone - all others were treated as ‘enemies’.
When was the Cheka created?
December 1917
What was the goal of the Cheka?
the active repression of ‘counter-revolutionary’ enemies, in order to ensure the ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’
What could show Lenin’s pragmatism?
- acceptance of Germans’ terms in Brest-Litovsk
- ‘Central planning’, nationalisation, state control, as reaction to crisis
- readiness to ‘change course’ after war in 1921, allowing more capitalist tendencies
What two consequences did Lenin’s apparent change of heart have?
- Lenin refused to admit any errors –> concept that the party could not be wrong
- ‘ban on factions’ in 1921
How did policy on national self-determination change?
all independence movements denounced as counter-revolutionary
- demands of Georgia for greater independence from 1922 - brutally crushed (although against Lenin’s wishes) on orders of Stalin (Georgian himself)
In 1922, what was there, surrounding the SRs?
‘show trial’ of imprisoned SRs - 24 condemned, 11 executed and party outlawed
When did Lenin dictate his ‘Testament’ in the form of a letter to be read to Party congress on his death?
December 1922
What did Lenin say within his Testament?
Gave his critical opinion of other members of Politburo: Grigorii, Lev Kamenev, Bukharin, and Trotsky
Particularly criticised Stalin (who had become Party’s first General Secretary in April 1922) - Georgia + rudeness
What happened to the Testament?
Never read in public as intended, as Central Committee decided among themselves to suppress it - played into Stalin’s hands
Who were on the ‘left’, abandoning the NEP?
Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev
Who were on the ‘right’, continuing the NEP?
Bukharin, Rykov and Tomsky
Stalin’s position on the NEP?
- left-leaning position in 1925
- temporary support for right between 1925 and 1928
- back to the left again thereafter
What could account for Stalin’s return to the left in 1928?
the bread shortages and high food prices of that year
Trotsky vs Stalin on revolution worldwide
Trotsky: Russians should be working for ‘permanent revolution’
Stalin, by 1924: ‘socialism in one country’ - efforts on building a ‘workers’ paradise’ as an example - favourable to those who favoured stability
How did the fear of a single strong leader benefit Stalin?
Elements of the party felt it was time to abandon single leader, and to pursue collective control through committee of equals - this was mainly advanced by those who feared the dominance of Trotsky –> worked to Stalin’s advantage (for most of 1920s his ambition was grossly underestimated)
What of Lenin’s principles laid the groundwork for Stalin’s later dictatorship?
- change from elections –> appointments within Party hierarchy
- the ban on factions
- the growth of central control during civil war
When is an alliance formed between Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin? What is this alliance called?
December 1922 - ‘Triumverate’ alliance is formed
Why did Zinoviev and Kamenev form a ‘Triumverate’ alliance with Stalin? When?
December 1922 - seeks to block Trotsky, who seems most likely to succeed. Although Zin + Kam share similar left-wing economic views, they fear Trotsky because of his army support, arrogance, and uncompromising personality.
When is the 12th Party Congress?
April 1923 (Lenin not able to attend)
What happens at the 12th Party Congress? When?
April 1923 - a new enlarged Central Committee of 40 members is elected - only 3 are strong supporters of Trotsky
What does Stalin do at the 12th Party Congress?
Uses his powers as General Secretary to build up supporters at local level, so ensuring his nominees are elected to future congresses
When did Lenin die?
January 1924
What happened surrounding Lenin’s funeral?
Stalin gives Trotsky wrong date for the funeral - Stalin gives the funeral oration
When is Lenin’s Testament released to the Central Committee? What happens surrounding it?
May 1924, shortly before the 13th Party Congress.
Zin + Kam argue against its publication + Trotsky refuses to get involved - aids Stalin.
When is the 13th Party Congress?
November 1924
What happens at the 13th Party Congress? When?
Nov 1924 - Trotsky’s speeches in favour of democracy + against the over-bureaucratisation of Party - defeated by the Stalinist delegates + Zin/Kam blocs.
Why does Trotsky not appeal against the votes against his speeches in the 13th Congress?
Because of the ban on factions
When does Trotsky publish ‘Lessons of October’? What does it contain?
January 1925 - shows how Zinoviev and Kamenev have (unlike himself) opposed Lenin a number of times. Stalin is not mentioned - plays to his advantage
What does Stalin continue to do in January 1925?
he continues to bring in more supporters, forming majorities in committees
When is Trotsky forced from his position as Commissar of War?
December 1925
When is the 14th Party Congress?
July 1926
What happens at the 14th Party Congress? When?
July 1926 - Stalin (‘socialism in one country’ proving popular with Party members) supports Bukharin, claiming similar economic views.
ZinKam attack Stalin + call for a vote of no confidence in him - but lose every vote in him (because delegates are largely Stalinists)
New Central Committee + Politburo elected w/ a Stalinist-Bukharin majority + Zinoviev is forced to step down as leader of Leningrad Party in favour of Stalinist Kirov
When do Zinoviev and Kamenev join Trotsky in the left-wing ‘United Opposition’?
November 1926
What is the goal of ‘United Opposition’?
it tries to appeal to the masses + organises demonstrations in Moscow
How does Stalin attack ‘United Opposition’?
He accuses of Zin, Kam and Trotsky of ‘factionalism’ - Zinoviev is removed from the Politburo. Zinoviev and Trotsky are expelled from the Communist Party + Kamenev is removed from Central Committee
What happens in January 1928?
Trotsky is deported to a remote spot near Chinese border
Stalin announces a new ‘left-leaning’ economic strategy, which disagrees with Bukharin and his followers (some of Trotsky’s remaining supporters favour this and join Stalin)
What happened in September 1928?
Bukharin contacts Trotsky - alliance considered, but rejected as supporters on both sides hesitant.
–> Stalin accuses both of factionalism.
Where does Stalin deport Trotsky in February 1929?
Constantinople
When is Bukharin removed from his post as …?
Bukharin is removed from his post as the editor of Pravda in April 1929
When are Bukharin and his supporters … and … removed from the Politburo?
Bukharin and his supporters, Rykov and Tomsky, are removed from the Politburo in November 1929
When does Stalin celebrate his fiftieth birthday as the undisputed Soviet leader?
December 1929
