Background Information

Question 1

What were the beliefs of the Right Wing?

Answer 1

1. Pro-NEP
2. Gradual change.
3. Cooperation with the peasants.

Question 2

Pro-NEP arguments?

Answer 2

1. Moderate action is better.
2. Rich peasants boost the economy by buying consumer goods.
3. Conflict with the peasantry could lead to economic collapse.

Question 3

Anti-NEP arguments?

Answer 3

1. Forcibly ceasing grain will solve the food shortage.

2. The NEP should be replaced by rapid industrialisation.

Question 4

What is the theory behind permanent revolution?

Answer 4

1. A Communist revolution in Russia would not succeed as the working class is too small.
2. Russia needs support from the working classes of other countries.
3. Government money/effort should be used to encourage foreign revolutions until world Communism is achieved.

Question 5

What is the theory behind socialism in one country?

Answer 5

1. The Party must accept world revolution is not imminent.
2. The Party should prioritise Russia’s problems and create a strong socialist state without outside help.
3. Russia will be a shining example to the rest of the world of how socialism is superior to capitalism.

Question 6

What were the beliefs of the Left Wing?

Answer 6

1. Anti-NEP
2. Pro-industrialisation
3. Permanent Revolution.

Question 7

Strengths and weaknesses of Trotsky?

Answer 7

Strengths

• Leader of the Red Army.
• Excellent speaker.
• Key role in the Revolution.

Weaknesses

• Unpopular policies.
• Dislikable/few allies.
• Party feared he would become a dictator.

Question 8

Strengths and weaknesses of Bukharin?

Answer 8

Strengths:

• Theorist and intellectual.
• Lenin’s “golden boy.”
• Popular with youth.

Weaknesses:

• Little domestic power.
• Young and inexperienced.
• Only made a Politburo member in 1922.

Question 9

Strengths and weaknesses of Rykov?

Answer 9

Strengths:

• Agreed with Lenin over the NEP.
• Chairman of Sovnarkom.

Weaknesses:

• Heavy drinker.
• His job wasn’t actually that powerful.

Question 10

Strengths and weaknesses of Tomsky?

Answer 10

Strengths:

• Trade union leader.
• Popular with workers.

Weakness:

• Opposed Lenin in 1920 in a debate about trade unions.
• Little support from Party elite.

Question 11

Strengths and weaknesses of Zinoviev?

Answer 11

Strengths:

• Long-time Party member.
• Head of the Party in Leningrad.
• Lots of people owe him their jobs.

Weaknesses:

• Opposed the 1917 Revolution.
• Attacked Lenin in the press.
• Criticised in Testament.

Question 12

Strengths and weaknesses of Kaminev?

Answer 12

Strengths:

• Theorist and intellectual.
• Head of the Party in Moscow.
• Lots of people owe him their jobs.

Weaknesses:

• Uninterested in leadership.
• Opposed the 1917 Revolution.
• Criticised in the Testament.