8.1 The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Stalin And His Rivals

Question 1

Overview:

Answer 1

Lenin died in 1924. After his death there was a 4 year struggle to decide who would lead the communist party. There were 7 possible candidates to succeed him

Question 2

What role did Stalin have in the Bolshevik party (from joining the Bolsheviks to Lenin’s death)

Answer 2

Editor of Pravda- the Bolshevik newspaper

Commissar of nationalities

1922- general secretary of the Bolshevik party responsible for the day to day running of the party and appointment and dismissal of key members

Question 3

Who were the possible candidates to take over (Stalin’s rivals)

Answer 3

The 7 members of the politburo were all candidates

The main candidates were:

• Trotsky
• Bukharin
• Kamanev
• zinoviev
• Rykov
• Tomsky

Question 4

Strengths and weaknesses of Trotsky

Answer 4

Strength:
-organised Bolshevik revolution 
- led red army to success in civil war
- chosen by Lenin as his successor
-supported by younger Bolsheviks 
Weaknesses:
- was a Menshevik
- wanted to end the NEP

Question 5

Weaknesses and strengths of bukharin

Answer 5

Strength:
- opposed treaty of Brest-Litovsk
- supported NEP
- Lenin liked him and called him “the favourite of the whole party” 
Weaknesses:
Open person
Lacked political cunning

Question 6

Strengths and weaknesses of kamenev

Answer 6

Strengths
- leader of Bolshevik party in Moscow
-ally of Stalin and zinoviev
Weaknesses:
-wanted to end NEP
- lacked in ability to lead the country

Question 7

Strengths and weaknesses of Zinoviev

Answer 7

Strength :
Helped Lenin set up the party
Bolshevik party chief in Petrograd 
Head of comintern —> organisation that tried to spread communism to other countries 
Weaknesses:
Wanted to end NEP
Not liked in the party
Seen as incompetent

Question 8

Strengths and weaknesses of tomsky

Answer 8

Strengths:
Early member of the Bolshevik party 
Trade unionist
Head of trade union movement 
Wanted to continue the NEP

Weaknesses:
Opposed Lenin in major debates