Chapter 9 - Power vacuum and power struggle Flashcards
When did Lenin die?
January 1924
When was the Triumvirate formed?
1922 - Stalin, Zinoviev, Kamenev
Why was Lenin’s testament significant?
. He stated the ‘potential’ leaders after his death
. The testament includes the likes of Trotsky, Stalin, Bukharin, Kamenev and Zinoviev.
What was Lenin’s view of Stalin in his testament?
Mainly harsh on Stalin, due to his dissent in Georgia and Stalin had insulted Lenin’s wife
What did Lenin say about Trotsky in his testament?
Criticised Trotsky calling him arrogant and incompetent
What did Lenin believe in terms of the party’s leadership?
Collective leadership amongst the prominent Bolsheviks
Who was Stalin?
. General secretary giving him a high position in the party
. Stalin was underrated by his opponents and worked hard to master the theories of Marxism-Leninism
. Stalin also placed himself close to Lenin before his death to portray himself as a close ally/friend to Lenin
Who was Trotsky?
. He was an exceptional ideologist and theoretician - used to be a Menshevik
. Trotsky was important during the 1917 revolution and Civil War, so he has a lot of experience
. He had formidable political skills, ruthlessness, authority and organisational ability
. Many Bolsheviks feared Trotsky as they believed he would use the Red Army to seize power after Lenin’s death
Who was Kamenev?
. Old and loyal Bolshevik
. Had a strong power base in Moscow where he ran the local party
. He was regarded as thoughtful and intelligent, with the ability to get things done
Who was Zinoviev?
. Old and loyal Bolshevik
. Was close to Lenin
. Party boss in Petrograd gave him a strong power base
Who was Bukharin?
. Popular within the party and close to Lenin and an associate with Stalin
. Expert on economics and agriculture and the best theoretician in the party
. He had no power base
Who was Rykov?
. Widely respected as an old and loyal Bolshevik
. Extensive support from Sovnarkom
. Lacked a power base and had previously argued with Lenin.
Who was Tomsky?
. Old and loyal Bolshevik
. Natural ally of Rykov and Bukharin
. Power base in trade unions which made him an obvious target for Stalin
. His support of NEP was used against him
