Divisions and contenders for power: Bukharin and the Right Flashcards
What was the partnership between Bukharin and Stalin known as?
the “Duumvirate”
What did the rank-and-file Bolsheviks regard Bukharin as?
both impressive and likeable
What did Lenin call Bukharin?
“the darling of the party”
Was Bukharin popular?
yes
What was Bukharin regarded the best at in the party?
regarded the best theoretician
What was Bukharin expert in? (2)
- economics
- agriculture
Why was Bukharins expert knowledge on agriculture a strength?
as this was a time when there was major concern about the peasantry
What was a weakness of the fact that Bukharin tried to remain on good terms with everyone?
he had no power base
Why was underestimating Stain a weakness of Bukharin?
as he could not see that he was one of Stalin’s targets due to his popularity in the party
What was a major tactical mistake of Bukharin’s ?
leaving it too late to make an alliance with Zinoviev and Kamenev
What was Rykov’s political position?
he was on the moderate wing of the party
Who was Rykov more aligned to in his views?
Buhkarin and Tomsky
What was Rykov’s position in the Party?
Chairman of the government
What was Rykov labelled as well as Kamenev and Zinoviev?
an “old Bolshevik”
How did Rykov show his administrative ability?
in the implementation of war communism during the Civil War and in managing to switch policy to the NEP
What position was Rykov chosen for in the Sovnarkom which gave his extensive support?
Deputy Chairman in 1923 and then Chairman in 1924
Amoung the moderates of the party, who was Rykov overshadowed by in terms of ability and popularity?
Bukharin
What role did Rykov have in the collective leadership?
he held a largely ceremonial role and lacked a power base
What was one of Rykov’s unpopular policies which made him acquire intense opposition from sections of the party?
his policy of putting heavy taxes on vodka
Alike Kamenev and Zinoviev what was held against Rykov ?
the fact that he had argued against Lenin over revolutionary tactics in 1917
Who was Tomsky son of?
son of a factory worker
Along with Kamenev, Zinoviev and Rykov what was Tomsky labelled in the party?
an “old Bolshevik”
Who did Tomsky have long associations with?
Trade Unions
What was Tomsky’s political views ?
moderate wing
What made Tomsky popular within the Party?
his working-class origins
What role did he have for the Trade Unions?
role of Chief Spokesman
From what yer was Tomsky General Secretary of Red International of the Trade Union?
1920
When was Tomsky elected to the Central Committee and Politburo?
1922
Who was Tomsky a natural ally too as a moderate of the party? (2)
Bukharin and Rykov
Who did Tomsky have intense hostility towards?
Trotsky
How did Tomsky help in handing massive power to Stalin with Rykov and Bukharin?
He helped in purging left wingers from the Party in 1926
What power base made Tomsky a target for Stalin’s jealousy?
His power base in the trade unions
How was Tomsky’s support for the NEP going to be a weakness?
due to the grain crisis of 1927 which hit the economy
