Divisions and contenders for power: Trotsky and the Left (9) Flashcards
What was Trotsky’s status in 1924?
He was regarded the most important man in the party apart from Lenin himself.
Name 2 people who admired Trotsky
Viktor Serge and Karl Radek who backed Trotsky on revolutionary ideology and Party democracy,
What overall did people think of Trotsky?
There were too many people who feared him, or disagreed with him philosophy, or both.
Who were the allies that Trotsky gained?
Zinoviev and Kamenev who broke with Stalin
State 3 positives about Trotsky’s character.
1) Trotsky was a brilliant intellectual and theorist, and an inspiring speechmaker
2) He was an energetic man of action during the revolution and the Civil War, second in power and influence only to Lenin
3) He had formidable political skills, ruthlessness, authority and organisational ability.
State 4 weaknesses about Trotsky.
1) He made serious errors of judgement, such as attacking the Party bureaucracy in 1924 when he needed its support
2) Because Trotsky had been a Menshevik and was a late convert to Bolshevism some “Old Bolsheviks” were suspicious of him
3) Colleagues disliked his arrogance and disdain for those he though less clever than himself
4) Trotsky made no serious attempt to build a base of support within the party.
When did Kamenev become Chairman of the Moscow Soviet?
1918
Who was Kamenev in terms of power towards Lenin?
One of the fist member of the Politburo and was Lenin’s deputy Chairman of the council of People’s Commissars.
Who was Kamenev to Trotsky?
His brother-in-law
Describe the character of Kamenev?
He was capable and intelligent, a skilful politician good at managing people and situations.
Who was Kamenev closely associated with?
Zinoviev- they often acted together as a partnership.
What reputation did Kamenev gain?
Gained a reputation for “flip-flopping”- being too ready to change sides.
State 3 strengths that kamenev had.
1) As one of the “Old Bolsheviks” he was a man who helped form Part policy and was close to Lenin, Lenin entrusted many of his personal papers to Kamenev.
2) Kamenev had a strong power base in Moscow, where he ran the local Party.
3) He was regarded as thoughtful and intelligent, good at smoothing out difficulties amongst colleagues.
State 4 weaknesses of Kamenev.
1) Like Zinoviev, Kamenev gained a reputation for inconsistency and opportunism by opposing Lenin in 1917 and later switching alliances between Stalin and Trotsky.
2) He was too closely linked to Zinoviev, who was more popular than he was.
3) Many regarded him as being too “soft” and lacking the drive to be a sole leader.
4) Kamenev seriously underestimated his rivals, especially Stalin
Describe what Zinoviev’s character was like?
He was intelligent and educated, with a wide knowledge of European culture.
