CHAPTER 9 Ideology and the nature of leadership 1924+ Flashcards
In Marxist-Leninist ideology how was power supposed to be shared?
by a collective leadership, not held by an single, dominating leader
What was the ideologic view of collective leadership?
that the state should be run by a leadership of committee equals
`After Lenin’s death what did this create?
a power vacuum
How was Lenin’s dictatorial style of leadership and his refusal to admit an errors a long term positive for the Party?
this established a long term concept that the Party could never be wrong
What cemented the idea of obedience to the ‘party line’?
the ‘ban of factions’ in 1921
How did the ban of factions in 1921 clash with other elements in the party?
some believed in ‘party democracy’
When did the power vacuum begin?
it began to take shape in 1922 when Lenin became seriously incapacitated after his first stroke
When was the Triumvirate established?
1922-23
Who were the members of the Triumvirate?
- Zinoviev
- Kamenev
- Stalin
Why did the Triumvirate form in 1922-23?
in order to prevent Trotsky’s ascendancy
What was Lenin’s Testament?
his ‘political will’ regarding party leadership after his death which was supposed to be read out at the Party Congress
Who was Lenin’s Testament particularly harsh on?
Stalin
Why did Lenin criticise Stalin in his testament?
- He had brutal actions in crushing opposition and dissent in Georgia
- Stalin had recently insulted Lenin’s wife
What happened with Stalin in Georgia as Commissar of Nationalities?
Stalin told Lenin that Georgia had been won back from the Mensheviks by a mass uprising of the Georgian people when this was not true. Stalin had crushed Georgian independence by brute force
Who managed to persuade their colleagues not to publish the Testament?
the Triumvirate
