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Russia 1917-1953 > Contenders for the Power Struggle > Flashcards

Contenders for the Power Struggle Flashcards

1
Q

Who are the seven key contenders for leadership in the power struggle?

A

Stalin
Trotsky
Kamenev
Zinoviev
Bukharin
Rykov
Tomsky

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2
Q

Fun Mnemonic to remember these by?

A

Still The Knights Zealously Bellow Rude Tales

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3
Q

When was Stalin born and how did he begin in the party?

A

1878

Stalin began as an agitator and fundraiser for the Party organising bank robberies

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4
Q

When is Stalin elected to the Central Committee?

A

1917

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5
Q

When does Stalin become Commissar for Nationalities?

A

1918

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6
Q

When does Stalin become General-Secretary for the Party?

A

1921

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7
Q

What were Stalin’s strengths in the leadership contest? (4)

A

Underestimated by his opponents - good at concealing his intentions

Mastered theories of Marxism-Leninism

GS at time of party bureaucracy expanding - gained loyalty of his subordinates appointing them in key positions

Lenin once called Stalin, “that wonderful Georgian” and supported his promotion to GS.

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8
Q

What were more of Stalin’s strengths during the leadership contest? (3)

A

Could claim to be loyal from the very beginning (unlike Trotsky) - vocal supporter of Lenin since 1903

Deliberately placed himself close to Lenin so he could claim to know and understand what Lenin wanted

Triumvirate of Stalin, Kamenev and Zinoviev formed in 1922-3 to block Trotsky’s ambitions and was powerful

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9
Q

What was another name for the Triumvirate?

A

The Troika

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10
Q

What were Stalin’s weaknesses?

A

fallen out with Lenin prior to his death (phone call w/ Krupskaya) - his colleagues knew Lenin turned on him despite the testament being kept hidden

Seen as crude and violent - proven by his actions whilst commissar of nationalities

only played minor role in 1917 revolutions and was overshadowed by others like Trotsky

Easily jealous of others, considered abrasive. introverted - trouble making allies.

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11
Q

What contenders for power were from the Left of the Party?

A

Trotsky
Zinoviev
Kamenev

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12
Q

When was Trotsky born and how does he begin in the party?

A

Born 1883, originally a Menshevik but joins Bolsheviks after Feb 1917 revolution.

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13
Q

When does Trotsky become the leader of the Petrograd Soviet?

A

1917

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14
Q

When does Trotsky become the Peoples Commissar for Foreign affairs?

A

October 1917

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15
Q

When does Trotsky found the Red Army?

A

1918

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16
Q

What were Trotsky’s strengths in the leadership contest?

A

seen as a hero of the civil war

inspirational speaker - known for political skills and organisational ability

widely regarded as the most important man in the party second to Lenin - also favoured by Lenin

called the ideal candidate to run in Lenin’s testament

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17
Q

What were Trotsky’s weaknesses during the leadership process?

A

Prone to “freezing” and falling ill in a crisis

Made bad mistakes and errors in judgement - e.g not calling out Stalin at 13th party congress

Faced anti-semitism due to jewish heritage

Unpopular due to his arrogance

made no attempt to build a support base - isolated

Faced suspicion over his past as a menshevik

18
Q

How does Kamenev begin in the party?

A

Was an “Old Bolshevik” since 1905

19
Q

Does Kamenev support Lenin’s April Thesis in 1917?

A

No

20
Q

When does Kamenev form the Troika and who with?

A

Formed in 1922
Himself, Zinoviev and Stalin

21
Q

What does Kamenev do with Zinoviev after the Troika falls apart?

A

Joins the Left Opposition with Trotsky

22
Q

What were Kamenev’s strengths during the leadership contest?

A

An “Old Bolshevik” so respected

Close w/ Lenin - After his first stroke, Lenin entrusted Kamenev with many personal papers

Strong power base in Moscow, where he ran the local party

Regarded as thoughtful and able to “get things done”

Effective at reaching compromises

Part of the Troika, which had a majority in the Politburo.

23
Q

What were Kamenev’s weaknesses during the leadership contest?

A

Reputation of inconsistency, “flip-flopping” between sides and being opportunistic

Too closely associated with Zinoviev who was more popular than him

Regarded as soft and lacking “drive of a leader”

underestimated his rivals - esp. Stalin

Had opposed both April Thesis and Oct. Revolution in 1917

24
Q

What positions did Zinoviev hold?

A

Chairman of the comintern
Spokesperson of the CC
Member of the Politburo

25
Q

What were Zinoviev’s strengths during the leadership contest?

A

“Old Bolshevik” and good at speeches

In the weeks before Lenin’s death, Lenin described Zinoviev his “closest and most trusted personal assistant”

Was party boss in Leningrad with a strong support base only second to Kamenev in Moscow who was already his ally.

Member of the Troika

26
Q

What were Zinoviev’s weaknesses in the leadership contest?

A

Seen as vain, inconsistent and suffered from mood swings - unpredictable

Opposed 1917 Oct revolution with Kamenev

Underestimated his rivals

Him and Kamenev were too late when switching allegiances to Trotsky in 1926

27
Q

What contenders for power were from the Right of the Party?

A

Bukharin
Rykov
Tomsky

28
Q

When was Bukharin born and when did he join the party?

A

Born 1888
Joined Bolsheviks in 1906

29
Q

From what years was Bukharin a prominent figure in the government?

A

1925-1928
Also a politburo member

30
Q

What were Bukharin’s strengths in the leadership contest?

A

Open, co-operative and friendly w/ most of the party - friends with Lenin, Trotsky AND Stalin.

Considered “best theoretician” in the party and was an expert of economics and agriculture at a time of uncertainty regarding peasants and collectivisation

Popular in the Left AND Right of the party

Trusted by Lenin w/ many tasks - e.g was editor of the Pravda

31
Q

What were Bukharin’s weaknesses in the leadership struggle?

A

He and Lenin had many public disagreements - e.g ending WW1, the NEP

Not suited to party infighting - naive,
lacked intrigue

No power base - tried to remain on good terms w/ everyone

Made lots of tactical mistakes

Underestimated Stalin - his popularity made him Stalin’s target

Lenin criticised the extent of his Marxist beliefs

32
Q

What positions did Rykov hold?

A

Chairman of the government and Sovnarkom

33
Q

What was an advantage Rykov had that many other contenders didn’t?

A

Genuine background in the working class - was born to peasants.

34
Q

What were Rykov’s strengths during the leadership contest?

A

Old Bolshevik

Proved his administrative ability when switching from War communism to the NEP

Had extensive support from the Sovnarkom

35
Q

What were Rykov’s weaknesses during the leadership contest?

A

His policy of high taxation on vodka made him unpopular

Opposed Lenin over timing of the revolutions

Lacked a powerbase as he was viewed as “too moderate”

Overshadowed by others popularity - esp. Bukharin’s

36
Q

What role was Tomsky associated with?

A

Managing trade unions

37
Q

What was an advantage Tomsky had over other candidates?

A

Like Rykov, was also from a working class background

38
Q

What was Tomsky’s strengths during the leadership contest?

A

Strong role in the party as chief spokesperson for trade unions

Reputation for being practical so was a natural ally of Rykov and Bukharin.

Working class background

39
Q

What were Tomsky’s weaknesses during the leadership contest?

A

Hatred of Trotsky blinded him to threat o Stalin

His support from the trade unions made him a target of Stalin

His support of the NEP was used against him during the 1928 Grain Procurement crisis

40
Q

For how long did the leadership contest and power struggle last?

A

1929-1929

Russia 1917-1953 (7 decks)

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