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Russian History > Contendors for power in the Bolshevik party > Flashcards

Contendors for power in the Bolshevik party Flashcards

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1
Q

In which year was Trotsky born and what family did he come from

A

1879 and he was from a well-off Jewish family of independent farmers

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2
Q

What caused the power vacuum in the Bols party

A

Lenin’s death in 1924 on the 21 January 1924 created a power vacuum at the top of Soviet politics as Communist Russia had known no other leader and had no decided/declared successor.

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3
Q

Name the 5 Communists who had a real chance of obtaining power

A
  1. Trotsky
  2. Stalin
  3. Bukharin
  4. Kamanev
  5. Zinoviev
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4
Q

In what year did Trotsky join Lenin and other Marxist in London

A

1902, following a daring escape

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5
Q

What organisation was Trotsky a leader of in 1905 and what did he do

A

The short-lived St Petersburg Soviet in November 1905. He organised a general strike amongst the St Petersburg workers.

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6
Q

How did Trotsky’s repuation help the Bols in Oct 1917

A

Trotsky’s reputation and oratory won support for the Bols/communists during the crucial period in which the October Rev was planned.

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7
Q

What role did Trotsky play in both getting and consolidating Bols power

A

Masterminded (with Lenin) the Communist seizure of power and was subsequently responsible for consolidating Communist rule, through his leadership and restructuring of the Red Army during the Civil War of 1918-1921.

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8
Q

Why did Bols party members often distrust Trotsky

A

He had been a Menshevik and had sided with them over the Bols in 1903. Also diliked the fact that he had Lenin’s trust in important government positions.

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9
Q

What did Lenin and Trotsky see eye to eye on during the Civil War

A

Agreed upon the controversial issue of restoring discipline to the Red Army

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10
Q

What role did Trotsky have in Lenin’s gov and what did Lenin proclaim about his in his LWAT

A

Tfrotsky was Lenin’s principal lieutenant and despite the occasional disagreement, Lenin was happy to proclaim that there was ‘no better Communist’ and that he was ‘the most able man in the present Central Committee’. However, he also noted that he had a ‘too far-reaching self-confidence’ a trait which many others saw as arrogance.

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11
Q

What made Trotsky so appealing as leader in the party. 2 factors

A
  1. Revolutionary hero in 1905 and 1917, as well as during the Civil War.
  2. His stirring/inspiring speeches won him the support of many young Communists and students, as well as the loyalty of the Red Army.
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12
Q

Name 3 places where Trotsky had been in exhile and what effect did this have on him

A

Paris, New York and London. This had made him one of tghe most ‘western’ figures in the parties leadership. He was also the most urban.

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13
Q

Desribe Trotsky (his character)

A

Arrogant, brilliant intellectual and theorist,Revolutionary hero, capable, powerful, feared, inspiring speaker, 2nd in power and influence only to Lenin.
Formidable political skills, ruthless, authority and organisational ability.

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14
Q

Why was Trotsky feared by many Bols. Why were many suspicious

A

They feared that he might use his hold over the Red Army to seize power after Lenin’s death and many ‘Old Bols’ were specious as he ahd previously been a Menshevik.

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15
Q

Who did Trotsky seriously underestimate

A

Stalin.

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16
Q

What did Trotsky fail to make an attempt to make in the party

A

A base of support within the party, which would help tp bring him power.

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17
Q

What did Trotsky oppose within the party

A

The Triumvirate of Stalin, Zinoviev and Kamanev, however he did later ally with Kamanev andinoviev against Stalin

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18
Q

What serious error of judgement did Trotsky make in 1924

A

In 1924, Trotsky made serious errors of judgement, such as attacking the Party bureaucracy when he needed its support

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19
Q

Describe Kamenev/ his character

A

Kamenev was capable and intelligent; a skilful politician good at managing people and situations. Closely associated with Zinoviev (acted like a partnership). Saw himself as an important figure in a collective leadership but perhaps lacked the ambition or ruthlessness to seek power for himself. Had a reputation for ‘flip-flopping’/ being too ready to switch sides.

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20
Q

What did Lenin entrust to Kamenev after his stroke in 1922

A

Many of his personal papers

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21
Q

Where did Kamenev have a strong power base and what was his role there

A

Kamenev had a strong power base in Moscow, where he ran the local party.

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22
Q

Who was more popular- Kamenev or Zinoviev

A

Zinoviev

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23
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of Kamenev

A
  1. Seriously underestimated his rivals, especially Stalin

2. Many saw him as being too ‘soft’ and lacking the drive to be a sole leader.

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24
Q

Zinoviev-character

A

Intelligent and educated. One of the party’s best speechmakers, with a commanding presence, e.g as Chairman of the Cominterm. Reputation of being vein and inconsistent (like Kamenev) and was also seen as a compromiser who tended to buckle under pressure.

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25
Q

Which association was Zinoviev a member of

A

He was a member of the Politburo.

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26
Q

What was Zinoviev’s role in the annual Party Congress

A

Zinoviev was the spokesperson for the Central Committee in the annual Party Congress.

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27
Q

Which 2 positions did Kamenev hold in the Cominterm

A

He was the chairman of the Cominterm Congress and the head of the Cominterm

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28
Q

In which year was the Triumvirate formed and who was involved in it

A

Made in 1923, with Stalin, Kamenev and Zinoviev

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29
Q

How had Lenin described Zinoviev before 1924

A

Lenin stated that Zinoviev was his ‘closest and most trusted assistant’

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30
Q

What position/role gave Zinoviev a strong power base

A

His role as party boss in Leningrad (Petrograd) gave him a strong political power base, second in importance only to Moscow.

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31
Q

Who reigned from their roles in the party in November 1917

A

Kamenev, Zinoviev and Rykov.

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32
Q

What was held against Zinoviev by Lenin

A

His opposition to Lenin over the timing of the Bolshevik coup and his joint resignation with Kamenev and Rykov in Nov 1917

33
Q

What mistake did Kamenev and Zinoviev make after the death of Lenin/ just before his death

A

They waited too long before switching their support to Trotsky and they both underestimated Stalin.

34
Q

Give 4 examples of Kamenev disagreeing with Lenin

A
  1. Opposed Lenin’s April Theses
  2. Opposed the October Revolution and its timing
  3. Disagreed with Lenin over several issues of stratergy
  4. Disagreed with the creation of an all-Communist government
35
Q

Give an example of an event that shows Lenin and Zinoviev’s friendship

A

Zinoviev accompanied Lenin into hiding in mid-1917. They had such a close relationship that Trotsky claimed Zinoviev had adopted Lenin’s handwriting.

36
Q

Which 2 issues did Zinoviev disagree violently with Lenin

A
  1. Zinoviev argued against the imminent Communist seizure of power
  2. Following the Communist seizure of power, he suggested that the Communists should share power with other Socialist parties.
37
Q

What did Lenin say about Kamenev and Zinoviev in his last will and testament

A

‘I will only remind you that the October episode of Zinoviev and Kamenev was not, of course, accidental’ Highlighted lack of loyalty in crucial months of 1917.

38
Q

When did Zinoviev join the Communists and how was he originally able to become Lenin’s closest collaborator

A

Zinoviev joined the Communists in 1903, and in 1907, following his arrest for revolutionary activities, he was exhiled to Switzerland, where he became Lenin’s closest collaborator. Returned to Russia with Lenin in April 1917 after working with him on a number of pamphlets and books

39
Q

Where was Zinoviev during the Civil war of 1918-1921

A

During the Civil War he remained in Petrograd’s most luxurious hotel, far from the fighting.

40
Q

What did Stalin claim to be

A

The leader of the world proletariat

41
Q

When did Lenin join the Communist party and when he was he made a member of the Central Committee

A

Joined Communist party in 1902 and was made a member of the Bol CC in 1912.

42
Q

How can Stalin’s role in the revolution be described

A

Can be described as that of a member of the Central Committee as he carried out other peoples orders, rarther than taking initiative. However he saw himself as a militart tactician and he refused to accept Trotsky’s authority during the Civil War. He never established himslef as a revolutionary hero, but by 1921 his presence on many senior committees secured him a position at the highest level of government.

43
Q

What was Stalin’s relationship with Lenin like before the October revolution and how did Lenin once describe him

A

Prior to the October Revolution Lenin relied upon Stalin’s administrative ability and loyalty, and he once described him as ‘that wonderful Georgian’.

44
Q

How did Stalin’s relationship with Lenin change when Lenin became ill

A

Prior to illness Stalin was careful to back him on controversial issues, however once Lenin became ill he began to oppose him.

45
Q

How did Lenin view Stalin in his Last Will and Testament

A

Lenin was highly critical of Stalin and he was the only person who recieved only criticism and no praise in his LWaT. He expressed his concern that Stalin had ‘concentrated an enormous power in his hands’ and did not always use it wisely. His view on Stalin worsened following his disagreement with Lenin’s wife,Krupskaya. He called for the party to replace him with someone ‘more tolernat, more loyal, more polite and more considerate to the comrades and less capricious’.

46
Q

Which work showed Lenin’s disapproval of Stalin

A

His last essay ‘Better Fewer’. This essay was highly critical of the Worker’s and Peasants’ Inspectorate of which Stalin was head. However he laso recognised that, along with Trotsky, he was one of the ‘most able’ figures in the Central Committee.

47
Q

Give 3 ways Stalin was appealing in the party

A
  1. Had the power to advance the careers of those in the party due to his bureaucratic positions.
  2. He was the voice of calm moderation, unlike Trotsky and Bukharin who adopted extreme positions.
  3. Unlike other contendors for power, Stalin was prepared to appeal to the national prode of those he sought to lead.
48
Q

How did Stalin ensure loyalty in the party

A

Placed loyal supporters in key positions in government.

49
Q

Who allied with Stalin and what was his nickname

A

Many allies, e.g Bukharin who called him Koba and regarded him as reasonable and reliable.

50
Q

What position did Lenin give to Stalin and what effect did this have

A

Lenin made Stalin General Secretary of the CC in 1922 (a position which he held until his death in 1953). Lenin later came to regret this appointment. Stalin used this position as he was good at gaining the loyalty of trusted subordanites.

51
Q

What theories had Stalin mastered

A

Stalin worked hard to master the theories of Marxism-Leninism

52
Q

Why did Stalin deliberately place himself close to Lenin during his illness from 1922-1923.

A

Allowed to show and say that he knew and understood what Lenin wanted. Therefore trying to show himself as the clear successor of Lenin as he knew what he wanted and had mastered the Marxism/Leninism ideology.

53
Q

What made it easy for Stalin to make allies, what alliance did he form

A

Fear of Trotsky allowed Stalin to make an alliance with Kamenev and Zinoviev, this was known as the Triumvirate.

54
Q

How was Stalin viewed by many of his collegues

A

Seen as crude and violent, a view which was supported by Lenin’s criticism of his actions as People’s Commisar for Nationalities.

55
Q

Who overshadowed Stalin in the race for power (2 examples)

A

Stalin was overshadowed by Trotsky, the great revolutionary hero of 1905, 1917 and the Civil War, as well as by Zinoviev, who was far more popular than Stalin.

56
Q

When was Lenin’s testament revealed to the wider party and why did Stalin try to prevent this

A

Revealed to the wider party in 1924 and although Stalin’s collegues knew Lenin had turned against him he wanted to keep the damning criticism of himslef quiey, especially during the time of the power struggle.

57
Q

When did Bukharin join the Communists and what did he do that same year

A

Joined the Communists in 1906, and in the same year he organised a strike in a boot factory.

58
Q

In what year did Lenin meet Bukharin

A

Met in 1912, 2 years after Bukarin had been sent into ehile (following many arrests for revolutionary activity).

59
Q

What role did Bukarin play in the October Revolution

A

One of leaders in Moscow Communist party and his radicalism inspired his compatriots to seize power in Moscow. His revolutionnary zeal evident in his publications for Pravda and his work encouraging German communists to rise up and seize power in Germany.

60
Q

What did Bukharin write about Lenin in 1916. What did Lenin say in return

A

‘I have the greatest rspect for you and I look on you as my revolutionary teacher and I love you’. In return Lenin referred to him as the ‘golden boy’ of the party and ‘the darling of the party’.

61
Q

What did Bukarin do after the October Revolution. How had this changed by the end of the Civil War

A

Bukharin headed the first Communis opposition group, the Left Communists, who criticised Lenin’s policy of peace with Germany. By end of Civil War Bukarin had abandoned his radicalism and embraced Lenin’s NEP.

62
Q

What did Lenin’s testament conclude about Bukharin

A

Lenin recognised hi as ‘the favourite of the whole party’ and ‘the most able amongst the youngest’. However, Lenin had serious reservations about his skills as a theorist, stating that ‘his his theoretical views can only with the very greatest doubt be regarded as fully Marxist’. This was controversial as Communist party believed passioantly that this was the correct theory.

63
Q

What political side did Bukarin take

A

Cetral view. He was open, close and had friendly relations with both left and right party members.

64
Q

What was Bukharin described as an expert about

A

Expert on economics and agriculture at a time when debates about the peasantry were of major concern to the Bols. Bukharin was widely regarded as the best theorician in the party.

65
Q

What was Bukharin’s support base like

A

Bukharin failed to build a power base for himself, due to the fact that he aimed to remain on good terms with everyone and avoid factional in-fighting.

66
Q

Why was Bukharin a target for Stalin

A

He underestimated Stalin and was far more popular within the party than he was, making him a target for Stalin’s emnity.

67
Q

Give an example of a tactical mistake made by Bukharin

A

Left it much too late to make an alliance with Kamenev and Zinoviev.

68
Q

Descibe Rykov/ his character

A

On the moderate wing of the party. Always loyal to Lenin, but frequently disagreed with Lenin and the radicals. As chairman of the gov he wanted to pay a unifying role and in questions of policy he alligned himself with those of Bukarin and Tomsky.

69
Q

What type of Bol was Rykov

A

An ‘old Bolshevik’

70
Q

Name one way in which Bukharin showed his admin skills

A

Showed his administrative ability in the implementation of War Communism during the Civil War and in managing the switvh of policy to NEP.

71
Q

Which organisation supported Bukarin, and what positions was he granted

A

Bukarin had the support of the Sovnarkom and was chosen as Deputy Chairman in 1923 and the Chairman in 1924.

72
Q

Who overshadowed Rykov

A

Rykov was overshadowed by Bukharin’s ability and popularity. He lacked a power base and underestimated Stalin.

73
Q

What policy did Rykov introduce and what reaction did it get

A

Responsible for putting heavy taxes on vodka, which was socially correct but politically unwise and brought about intense opposition from sections of the party and the public.

74
Q

Which roles were held by Tomsky (3 roles)

A
  1. Chief spokesmen for the trade unions. This position gave him a strong position within the party.
  2. General Secretary of Red International of the Trade Unions from 1920.
  3. Elected to the Central Committee and the Politburo in 1922.
75
Q

Who were Tomsky’s natural allies

A

Moderate leaders such as Rykov and Bukharin.

76
Q

Who did Tomsky ask hostile towards and what was the effect of this

A

His hostility towards Trotsky blinded him to the danger of His alliance with Stalin, Rykov and Bukharin in purging left-winged from the party in 1926 handed massive potential power to Stalin.

77
Q

Why was Tomsky a target for Stalin

A

Tomsky’s power base in the trade unions made him an obvious target for Stalin, as it made him jealous.

78
Q

What was used vs Tomsky in 1927

A

His support of NEP was used vs him when the grain crisis of 1927 hit the economy.

Russian History (31 decks)

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