Defeat of the Right; Outcomes of the Power Struggle Flashcards
What is the state of the Duumvirate after the defeat of the Left?
Triumphant after 15th Party congress in 1927 when the Left is expelled
1928 - Rift forms in Duumvirate
Why do tensions rise in the Duumvirate in 1928?
tensions over power - Bukharin wants to power share; Stalin does not
tensions over policy - Bukharin supports NEP and peasants, Stalin does not
Why are there tensions over policy in the Duumvirate over NEP and Peasants by 1928?
At beginning of 1928 Russia is facing severe food shortages and the regime is struggling to buy enough grain from peasants.
What is this crisis called?
Grain Procurement Crisis of 1927/8
What is the effect of the Grain Procurement crisis on debates over the NEP?
More party members turn against the NEP as they want to see fast industrialisation of Russia
How does the GPC cause tensions in the Duumvirate?
Stalin moves to begin harsher measures against the countryside without telling Bukharin and divisions between them widen
When does Stalin abandon his position of the “Golden Middle” and what does he revert to instead?
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.
At the beginning of 1928, what also is Stalin prepping for that Bukharin disagrees with?
Repid industrialisation with what later becomes the first 5 year plan.
Bukharin disagrees and wants slower pace for industrialisation
What does Bukharin do in 1928 that leads to the defeat of the Right?
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
By April 1928 what is the position of Bukharin?
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
What does Bukharin do after breaking off the Duumvirate?
Joins the rest of the “Rightists” and “New Right” with Rykov and Tomsky
By Feb 1929, Bukharin is _____
desperate
What evidence shows Bukharin is desperate?
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
What happens in early 1929 that is significant to the defeat of Bukharin and the Right?
Bukharin is deprived of several important and governmental posts - e.g his editorship of the Pravda is revoked
What event in late 1929 marks the defeat of Bukharin?
November 1929 he is expelled from the Politburo and charged with “Right Deviation”
By December 1929 what is the state of ALL opposition against Stalin
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
What was the outcome of the power struggle for Zinoviev and Kamenev after Stalin’s coming to power?
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
What was the outcome of the power struggle for Rykov and Tomsky after Stalin comes to power?
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
What was the outcome for Bukharin after Stalin comes to power?
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
What is the outcome for Trotsky after Stalin comes to power?
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
