Contenders for power Flashcards
What gave Stalin his strengths?
Put himself close to Lenin during his period of illness enabling him to claim he knew what Lenin wanted.
Underrated by opponents and good at concealing intentions.
In position of General Secretary was good at gaining the loyalty of trusted subordinates.
What was a weakness of Stalin?
Seen as crude and violent.
Only played a minor role in the 1917 Rev and was over shadowed by others of greater prominence like Trotsky.
What were the strengths of Trotsky?
He was a talented writer and orator.
Other than Lenin he was the most famous and powerful member of government.
He was well known as a revolutionary hero due to his role in the October revolution and the civil war.
Great intellectual and theorist.
Formidable political skills, ruthlessness, authority and organisational ability.
What were Trotsky’s weaknesses? (5)
He was not popular due to his arrogance.
Feared - as he could use his hold over the red army to seize power after Lenin’s death.
He had joined the Bolsheviks mid 1917 and therefore many Bolsheviks believed that he joined to gain power rather than being a true Leninist (had been Menshevik).
Made no attempt to build a base of support in the party.
Could be indecisive and fell ill at critical moments - made serious errors of judgement e.g. attacking party bureaucracy in 1924 when he needs its support.
What did Tomsky have a background in?
Had a background in the trade union movement
What are the strengths of Tomsky?
After 1918 he was Chairman of the Central Council of Trade Unions.
From 1922 was elected to CC and Politburo = strong position in the party.
Respected for his long record as an old Bolshevik and his working class origins made him popular in he party.
What were the strengths of Bukharin?
He was popular within the party - close with Lenin , friendly with Tomsky and respected by Stalin.
From 1925-1928 he was the most prominent member figure in the Soviet Government.
Could clam to be a true Leninist as he joined in 1906 and was loyal consistently.
Lenin trusted him with important roles like editor of Pravda.
Regarded as the best theoretician in the party.
Particular expert on economics and agriculture at a time when debates about peasantry were major concern to Bolshevik government
What were the weaknesses of Bukharin?
It was widely known that Lenin and him disagreed over a series of issues e.g. over ending the first world war in 1918 and the NEP in 1921.
He was the youngest of the contenders so many thought he was too inexperienced.
Tried to remain on good terms with everyone and avoided factional infighting so had no power base.
In the ‘Duumvirate’ to support Stalin against the left but his popularity aroused Stalin’s jealousy and hostility.
What are the strengths of Kamenev?
He was a committed Bolshevik from 1905.
He had great influence: after 1922, Lenin trusted K with many of his personal papers.
Had a strong power base in Moscow where he ran the local party.
What did Kamenev form in 1922 and who with?
A triumvirate with Zinoviev and Stalin to prevent Trotsky becoming more powerful.
What were the strengths of Rykov?
He had a long history of fighting for the Bolsheviks (meaning he spent a lot of time in exile).
He was elected to succeed Lenin as the chairman of the Sovnarkom (1923-24) and Prime Minister of the USSR.
He supported the NEP.
Had shown administrative ability in implementing war communism during civil war and managing the switch to NEP.
What was a strength of Zinoviev?
Lenin’s closest friend and had supported the movement since it began in 1903 - old Bolshevik.
Between 1923 and 1925 Zinoviev formed led the triumvirate which formed a majority on the Politburo.
He was high in Lenin’s favour ‘closest and most trusted assistant’.
Role as party boss in Leningrad = strong political powerbase second only to Moscow
What did Zinoviev and Kamenev persuade the CC to do?
Ignore Lenin’s testament
How did Zinoviev weaken Trotsky?
He made a series of speeches demonstrating the differences between Leninism and Trotskyism aiming to show that Trotsky wasn’t a true Leninist and therefore shouldn’t lead the government.
(1923-1925)
What was Stalin’s character like?
Violent.
Immensely hard worker.
Regarded as intellectually inferior but he had loyal supporters in key positions.
Rude.
Allies like Bukharin regarded him as reliable.
He was jealous of others.
Patient, keeping his long term aims hidden.
