Defeat of the Left; Outcomes of Power Struggle

Question 1

When does Stalin become secure in being the leader of the USSR?

Answer 1

December 1929

Question 2

Why was he able to declare himself the leader?

Answer 2

Strong base of support

Removal of rivals through political maneuvering and manipulation

Stalin had turned Lenin into a religious like figure with himself as second in command

Question 3

Over what period between 1924-28 were the left defeated?

Answer 3

1924-27

Question 4

What happens in May 1924 and how does this contribute to the defeat of the Left?

Answer 4

13th Party Congress - Trotsky does not make a decisive move against the Troika and Stalin.

Trotsky accuses the party of becoming less democratic but is outvoted.

Question 5

What events occur between June and Dec 1924?

Answer 5

Zinoviev and Kamenev question the loyalty of Trotsky.

Trotsky responds by publishing essays, “lessons of October” where he criticises both Z + K

Question 6

What does Stalin do during June-Dec 1924?

Answer 6

Stalin stays in the background to appear moderate and works on increasing numbers of party members loyal to him

Question 7

What else happens in the year of 1924?

Answer 7

Tensions grow in the Troika as Z + K are frustrated as they cannot control Stalin.

At the same time support for Stalin and his policy of Socialism in One Country grows.

Debates over the NEP rage and Bukharin’s support of the NEP makes him unpopular

Stalin takes the “Golden Middle” avoiding extreme positions

Question 8

What happens at the beginning of 1925 that is significant in the defeat of the Left Opposition?

Answer 8

The balance of the party has turned from Trostky.

Jan 1925 - Trotsky forced out of the CC

Question 9

However, how does this cause problems with the Troika?

Answer 9

Zinoviev proposes that Trotsky should be expelled from the party but Stalin rejects this as he wants to keep his image as a moderate.

Trotsky isolated but not defeated - fear of Trotsky decreases - no common cause uniting the Troika and it becomes even more fractious

Question 10

When do Zinoviev and Kamenev turn on Stalin and how do they do this?

Answer 10

Sept 1925 - oppose Stalin at the CC

Dec 1925 - 14th Party congress they launch full attack on Stalin calling for a vote of no confidence.

Question 11

Why is Z + K’s attack on Stalin not effective?

Answer 11

Stalin’s supporters protected him

Z + K had enthusiastically supported Stalin until this point and they seemed like hypocrites denouncing him and his policies.

Question 12

What is the overall result of their attack on Stalin?

Answer 12

Failure - from this point onwards they are painted as factionalists who endanger the security of the USSR

They are steadily pushed to the Left Opposition where they ally with their old enemy Trotsky in mid 1926

Question 13

Why is it so significant Z + K are painted as factionalists?

Answer 13

Factions had been outlawed by Lenin in 1921

Question 14

By the end of 1926, what is the state of the Power Struggle and the Left?

Answer 14

Zinoviev and Kamenev are part of the Left Opposition after their attack on Stalin at the 14th Party Congress in Dec 1925, officially joining Trotsky in mid 1926.

Question 15

What does Stalin do after being abandoned by Zinoviev and Kamenev?

Answer 15

Forms the “duumvirate” with Bukharin in 1926

Question 16

How influential is the Duumvirate between 1926 and 1927?

Answer 16

They practically run the country

Question 17

Despite this, what are problems faced by the Duumvirate?

Answer 17

continuous opposition from Trotsky and his allies

After Z + K join Trotsky, the Left Opposition becomes the “United Opposition”

Question 18

When does the Left Opposition become the United Opposition and how?

Answer 18

1926 - Zinoviev and Kamenev join the left opposition after their attack on Stalin in the 14th Party Congress Dec 1925, becoming the United Opposition in mid 1926 after making a formal alliance with Trotsky.

Question 19

What name is given to this period of party infighting?

Answer 19

The Literary Discussion

Question 20

Why is it called the Literary discussion?

Answer 20

Bitter theoretical and political infighting fought through words with essay, pamphlets and books being published in support or condemnation of people and ideas

Question 21

Does Stalin take part in the Literary discussion?

Answer 21

Yes

Question 22

What is an example of an academic work he publishes during this period?

Answer 22

“Questions on Leninism” - he argues for the case of Socialism in One Country

Question 23

What is the state of the power struggle by the Spring and Summer of 1927?

Answer 23

Stalin usually has the upper hand but resigns as GS in Dec 1926 in protest

Trotsky and his allies have stepped up their attacks and blame Stalin for the failure of communist uprisings in China

Question 24

Despite these attacks, how are Bukharin and Stalin kept safe?

Answer 24

Supported by their separate majorities in party committees

Question 25

What events occur in late 1927 that marks the defeat of the Left Opposition?

Answer 25

Oct 1927 - CC vote to expel Trotsky, Z + K from the CC

Nov 1927 - Trotsky, Z + K expelled from the party all together

Dec 1927 - 15th Party Congress confirms expulsion of United Opposition, with dozens of Stalin’s rivals deemed opportunists and expelled; STALIN AND BUKHARIN EMERGE TRIUMPHANT