AS FP3 : How and why Stalin became party leader Flashcards
Historiography
What did Westwood say about Stalin’s rise to power?
“Although Stalin seemed to win every trick, it is unlikely he followed a long-term plan. He did not need to, he could stand back and let his rivals dig their own graves.”
How did Stalin use Lenin’s death to further his position in the party?
- Promoted the cult of Leninism and gave himself the position of high priest - advocating himself as Lenin’s successor.
- Trotsky was suffering from influenza and Stalin gave Trotsky misinformation about when the funeral should be - capitalising on this as a way to criticise him.
The defeat of the Left Opposition 1924 - 1927
What wwas Trotsky’s major failure in 1924?
Trostky did not make a decisive move against Stalin in 1924, the Thirteenth party congress appeared to be the perfect time to act against him but Trotsky hesitated.
Trotsky never found ample time to challenge Stalin and his position slid slowly backwards, additionally Stalin had been supported by Kamenev and Zinoviev.
The defeat of the Left Opposition 1924 - 1927
What did Stalin build around him that solidified his position?
Nomenklatura
The defeat of the Left Opposition 1924 - 1927
What did Robert Service say about Stalin’s nomenklatura?
“Stalin demanded effeciency as well as loyalty from the gang members”.
The defeat of the Left Opposition 1924 - 1927
During debates surrounding the NEP and permament revolution where did Stalin place himself?
In the “golden middle”.
The defeat of the Left Opposition 1924 - 1927
How did the Triumvertate break down?
- Trotsky had lost his influence and thus the fear of him no longer held together the Triumverate.
- After failing to defeat Stalin at the fourteenth party congress Z + K joined forces with Trotsky.
The defeat of the Left Opposition 1924 - 1927
What did Stalin and Bukharin form in 1926?
The Duumvirate
The defeat of the Left Opposition 1924 - 1927
When was Trotsky expelled from the party for factionalism?
November 1927
The defeat of Bukharin and the right
Why did divisions between Bukharin and Trotsky widen?
Stalin’s actions in the countryside.
The defeat of Bukharin and the right
When was Bukharin expelled from the party?
November 1929
The outcome for other contenders
What happened to Zinoviev?
Executed in a show trail 1936
The outcome for other contenders
What happened to Kamenev?
Executed in a show trail 1936
The outcome for other contenders
What happened to Tomsky?
Committed suicide to avoid trial and execution 1936
The outcome for the other contenders
What happened to Rykov?
Executed in a show trial in 1938
