Dictatorship and Stalinism

Question 1

Early show trial

Answer 1

1928 managers at Shakhty coal mine given show trial and 5 executed, Gosplan then purged of critics and ex-Mensheviks, in 1933 trial of the British specialists on the metro.

Question 2

Criticism of Stalin in 1932

Answer 2

Ryutin, former secretary but expelled, circulated a document called ‘Stalin and the crisis of the proletarian dictatorship’ in March 1932, known as the Ryutin Platform, his execution was overruled by Kirov and he was imprisoned 10 years.

Question 3

Consequences of the Ryutin platform

Answer 3

K and Z and others expelled for failing to report document, by 1934 a fifth of the party branded Ryutinites and expelled.

Question 4

When was reform of Gulags

Answer 4

1934, same time internal security passed to the NKVD.

Question 5

Immediate reaction to Kirov’s death

Answer 5

Over 100 party members shot, 1935 K and Z and 17 others arrested and imprisoned, June 1935 death penalty applied to anyone aware of subversive activity.

Question 6

Method of coercion to do with children

Answer 6

1935 law said children over 12 could be tried and executed, therefore could threaten a suspects children with false charges.

Question 7

Stalin constitution

Answer 7

1936 Bukharin wrote the Stalin Constitution intended to mark triumphs of socialism which they claimed had been achieved, promised autonomy to local ethnicities and nationalities, as well as elections with right to vote for everyone over 18, freedom of press, religion, speech and from arrest promised, not applied at all.