Defeat of the Right; Outcomes of the Power Struggle

Question 1

What is the state of the Duumvirate after the defeat of the Left?

Answer 1

Triumphant after 15th Party congress in 1927 when the Left is expelled

1928 - Rift forms in Duumvirate

Question 2

Why do tensions rise in the Duumvirate in 1928?

Answer 2

tensions over power - Bukharin wants to power share; Stalin does not

tensions over policy - Bukharin supports NEP and peasants, Stalin does not

Question 3

Why are there tensions over policy in the Duumvirate over NEP and Peasants by 1928?

Answer 3

At beginning of 1928 Russia is facing severe food shortages and the regime is struggling to buy enough grain from peasants.

Question 4

What is this crisis called?

Answer 4

Grain Procurement Crisis of 1927/8

Question 5

What is the effect of the Grain Procurement crisis on debates over the NEP?

Answer 5

More party members turn against the NEP as they want to see fast industrialisation of Russia

Question 6

How does the GPC cause tensions in the Duumvirate?

Answer 6

Stalin moves to begin harsher measures against the countryside without telling Bukharin and divisions between them widen

Question 7

When does Stalin abandon his position of the “Golden Middle” and what does he revert to instead?

Answer 7

Jan-Feb 1928 after Stalin personally supervises attacks on peasants in West Siberia

Reverts to radical revolutionary policies - war against Kulaks, rapid industrialisation, interventionist foreign policy, aggressive support for the Comintern.

Question 8

At the beginning of 1928, what also is Stalin prepping for that Bukharin disagrees with?

Answer 8

Repid industrialisation with what later becomes the first 5 year plan.

Bukharin disagrees and wants slower pace for industrialisation

Question 9

What does Bukharin do in 1928 that leads to the defeat of the Right?

Answer 9

April 1928 - Bukharin protests against “excesses” by officials.

B + S clash in the politburo; Bukharin’s speeches on “sensible measures” have little impact and he is outvoted on agricultural policies

Question 10

By April 1928 what is the position of Bukharin?

Answer 10

Isolated and vulnerable to Stalin’s attacks

Duumvirate has fallen apart due to policy disagreements; Bukharin attacks Stalin’s policies in CC + Politburo but outvoted + unsupported

Question 11

What does Bukharin do after breaking off the Duumvirate?

Answer 11

Joins the rest of the “Rightists” and “New Right” with Rykov and Tomsky

Question 12

By Feb 1929, Bukharin is _____

Answer 12

desperate

Question 13

What evidence shows Bukharin is desperate?

Answer 13

In Feb 1929, Bukharin is in communication with Trotsky about a potential allyship together against Stalin. - it does not end up happening but Stalin is aware of their talks

Question 14

What happens in early 1929 that is significant to the defeat of Bukharin and the Right?

Answer 14

Bukharin is deprived of several important and governmental posts - e.g his editorship of the Pravda is revoked

Question 15

What event in late 1929 marks the defeat of Bukharin?

Answer 15

November 1929 he is expelled from the Politburo and charged with “Right Deviation”

Question 16

By December 1929 what is the state of ALL opposition against Stalin

Answer 16

ALL defeated - Stalin fully established as dictator of USSR; publishes his “war against kulaks speech” and begins his radical policies of collectivisation and rapid industrialisation

Question 17

What was the outcome of the power struggle for Zinoviev and Kamenev after Stalin’s coming to power?

Answer 17

November 1927 - Z+K expelled from CC + Party

1928 - Z+K give into Stalin; admit their “mistakes”; allowed to re-join but lose powerful posts and Politburo memberships

1932: Z + K expelled from the party again

1936: Both executed after a show trial

Question 18

What was the outcome of the power struggle for Rykov and Tomsky after Stalin comes to power?

Answer 18

1930; Rykov sacked and replaced by Molotov; Tomsky removed from his role with the trade unions

1934: Tomsky and Rykov removed from CC
1936: Tomsky kills himself to avoid show trial
1938: Rykov executed after show trial

Question 19

What was the outcome for Bukharin after Stalin comes to power?

Answer 19

Nov 1929; expelled from the party; charged w/ “Right Deviation”

Nov 1930; Bukharin admits his “mistakes” in attempt to regain power

1938: Bukharin executed after a show trial

Question 20

What is the outcome for Trotsky after Stalin comes to power?

Answer 20

Nov 1927 - Trotsky kicked out of the party

Jan 1928 - Trotsky exiled to Kazakhstan

Feb 1929 - Trotsky expelled from entire USSR

1940 - whilst in exile in Spain, Trotsky murdered by Stalinist agent