Contenders for the Power Struggle Flashcards
Who are the seven key contenders for leadership in the power struggle?
Stalin
Trotsky
Kamenev
Zinoviev
Bukharin
Rykov
Tomsky
Fun Mnemonic to remember these by?
Still The Knights Zealously Bellow Rude Tales
When was Stalin born and how did he begin in the party?
1878
Stalin began as an agitator and fundraiser for the Party organising bank robberies
When is Stalin elected to the Central Committee?
1917
When does Stalin become Commissar for Nationalities?
1918
When does Stalin become General-Secretary for the Party?
1921
What were Stalin’s strengths in the leadership contest? (4)
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.
What were more of Stalin’s strengths during the leadership contest? (3)
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
What was another name for the Triumvirate?
The Troika
What were Stalin’s weaknesses?
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.
What contenders for power were from the Left of the Party?
Trotsky
Zinoviev
Kamenev
When was Trotsky born and how does he begin in the party?
Born 1883, originally a Menshevik but joins Bolsheviks after Feb 1917 revolution.
When does Trotsky become the leader of the Petrograd Soviet?
1917
When does Trotsky become the Peoples Commissar for Foreign affairs?
October 1917
When does Trotsky found the Red Army?
1918
What were Trotsky’s strengths in the leadership contest?
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
What were Trotsky’s weaknesses during the leadership process?
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
How does Kamenev begin in the party?
Was an “Old Bolshevik” since 1905
Does Kamenev support Lenin’s April Thesis in 1917?
No
When does Kamenev form the Troika and who with?
Formed in 1922
Himself, Zinoviev and Stalin
What does Kamenev do with Zinoviev after the Troika falls apart?
Joins the Left Opposition with Trotsky
What were Kamenev’s strengths during the leadership contest?
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.
What were Kamenev’s weaknesses during the leadership contest?
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
What positions did Zinoviev hold?
Chairman of the comintern
Spokesperson of the CC
Member of the Politburo
What were Zinoviev’s strengths during the leadership contest?
“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
What were Zinoviev’s weaknesses in the leadership contest?
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
What contenders for power were from the Right of the Party?
Bukharin
Rykov
Tomsky
When was Bukharin born and when did he join the party?
Born 1888
Joined Bolsheviks in 1906
From what years was Bukharin a prominent figure in the government?
1925-1928
Also a politburo member
What were Bukharin’s strengths in the leadership contest?
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
What were Bukharin’s weaknesses in the leadership struggle?
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
What positions did Rykov hold?
Chairman of the government and Sovnarkom
What was an advantage Rykov had that many other contenders didn’t?
Genuine background in the working class - was born to peasants.
What were Rykov’s strengths during the leadership contest?
Old Bolshevik
Proved his administrative ability when switching from War communism to the NEP
Had extensive support from the Sovnarkom
What were Rykov’s weaknesses during the leadership contest?
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
What role was Tomsky associated with?
Managing trade unions
What was an advantage Tomsky had over other candidates?
Like Rykov, was also from a working class background
What was Tomsky’s strengths during the leadership contest?
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
What were Tomsky’s weaknesses during the leadership contest?
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
For how long did the leadership contest and power struggle last?
1929-1929
