Divisions and contenders for power: Stalin (9) Flashcards
What was Stalin’s position like in January 1924?
He already held a very strong position in the party, as part of the “triumvirate”that dominated the Central Committee.
What was Stalin’s reputation like in 1924?
Gained the reputation of being a man of violence and immensely hard working who was an expert in dealing with the bureaucratic organisation.
What did his more experienced colleagues regard Stalin as?
Intellectually inferior
What knowledge did Stalin have that was key?
Due to him having a Party membership he could control Lenin’s enrolment and place loyal supporters in key positions.
What did many of his allies, including Bukharin think of Stalin?
They used his pet nickname “Koba” and regarded him as reasonable and reliable.
Stalin was jealous but what did he also have to his advantage?
Patience, able to keep long-term aims hidden and wait a long time for revenge against people he perceived as enemies.
State 5 strengths about Stalin.
1) Holding a crucial position as General Secretary when the party was expanding rapidly
2) His work ethic, mastering theories of Marxism-Leninism
3) Stalin was underrated by his opponents and was very good at concealing his intentions.
4) placing himself next to Lenin during the period of illness in 1922-23, enabling him to claim that he knew and understood what Lenin wanted.
5) Fear of Trotsky aided Stalin to make an alliance with Zinoviev and Kamenev in the Triumvirate.
State 3 weakness about Stalin.
1) Most of his colleagues saw him as crude and violent; this image was presented by Lenin’s criticism of Stalin’s actions as People’s Commissar of Nationalities.
2) Played only a minor role in the 1917 revolution and was overshadowed by others of greater prominence, like Trotsky and popular like Bukharin.
3) Although Lenin’s testament was not revealed to the wider party in 1924, Stalin’s colleagues knew Lenin had turned against him.
In 1926 what was Lenin’s sister enlisted to do?
Defend “comrade Stalin” against criticisms from his opponents in the Politburo.
