Contenders for power Flashcards
What were the strengths of Stalin?
He could claim to be a true Leninist as he had joined the Bolsheviks at the very beginning in 1903 and had been loyal ever since then
Lenin held Stalin in high regard referring to him as ‘that wonderful Georgian’. He often trusted Stalin with important administrative tasks. and supported his promotion to General Secretary in 1921 (key position)
He had a good position in the party as part of the Triumvirate that dominated the CC
Put himself close to Lenin during his period of illness enabling him to claim he knew what L wanted
Underrated by opponents and good at concealing intentions
Had worked hard to master the theories of Marxism-Leninism
In position of GS was good at gaining the loyalty of trusted subordinates
What was a weakness of Stalin?
His background in the Bolshevik party was being an agitator and fundraiser and was sent to Siberia many times for his actions
Most of his colleagues saw him as crude and violent (accentuated by Lenin’s criticisms of him)
Only played a minor role in the 1917 Rev and was over shadowed by others of greater prominence like Trotsky and greater personality like Bukharin
Although the testament wasn’t revealed to the wider Party, Stalin’s colleagues knew that Lenin had turned against him
What were the strengths of Trotsky?
He was a talented writer and orator and other than Lenin he was the most famous and powerful member of government He was well known as a revolutionary hero and man of action due to his role in the October revolution and the civil war
From 1917 he had been Lenin’s righthand man and closest political collaborator
Great intellectual and theorist
Formidable political skills, ruthlessness, authority and organisational ability
What were Trotsky’s weaknesses?
He was not popular within the communist party due to his arrogance -many feared him(might use his hold over the red army to seize power after L’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)
He retained his position on the Politburo until 1927 but was unable to influence the direction of policy - he was continually in opposition to the ruling alliances
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
He was inconsistent and opposed the Triumvirate
Who was Tomsky?
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 and General secretary of red international of the trade union from 1920 and 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 Natural ally of moderate leaders like B and R
What were the strengths of Bukharin?
He was popular within the party - close with L, friendly T and respected by S
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 and Bukharin were close and 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 young and inexperienced to be the new leader
Tried to remain on good terms with everyone and avoided factional infighting so had no power base
Underestimated Stalin and was much more popular than him which made him a target of S’s enmity
Tactical mistake, such as leaving it much too late to make an alliance with Z and K
Having supported Stalin against left opposition they developed a close working partnership called the ‘Duumvirate’ but his popularity aroused Stalin’s jealousy and hostility
What are the strengths of Kamenev?
He was a committed Bolshevik from 1905 - as an old Bolshevik had helped form party policy and was close to Lenin - 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
Regarded as thoughtful and intelligent - good at smoothing out difficulties amongst colleagues with an ability to get things done
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 and Prime Minister of the USSR
He supported the NEP
Widely respected as a old Bolshevik
Extensive support from the Sovnarkom who chose him as deputy chairman and then chairman in 1923-24
Had shown administrative ability in implementing war communism during civil war and managing the switch of policy to NEP
What was a strength of Zinoviev?
He could claim to be a true Leninist - as he was 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
Commanded respect from colleagues due to his role in the rev
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.
What was Stalin’s character like?
Had gained a reputation of being a man of violence and an immensely hard worker
Many more experienced colleagues regarded Stalin as intellectually inferior but he had loyal supporters in key positions
He was often rude but allies like Bukharin regarded him as reliable
He was jealous of others but also patients, keeping his long term aims hidden