How and why Stalin became Party leader and the outcome of contenders (10) Flashcards
(41 cards)
When did Stalin establish a central position in the Party leadership?
By 1924
What enabled Stalin to entrench his position further?
Lenin’s funeral
What was Stalin placed in charge of and what did this mean he did?
The arrangements for the funeral and seized the opportunity to promote the cult of Leninism by making the funeral a state occasion.
What did Stalin insist about Lenin’s body and therefore what has this said to be for?
Stalin insisted on Lenin’s body was embalmed and placed on public view, it had been said that Stalin was making Leninism into a religion, with the loyal comrade Stalin as its High Priest.
Due to Trotsky’s failure to attend Lenin’s funeral what did this give Stalin?
A political advantage
What was it said that Stalin said to Trotsky about Lenin’s funeral?
It was said that Stalin had cunningly arranged Trotsky’s absence by misleading messages.
Why did Trotsky not actually go to Lenin’s funeral?
Because he chose to stay at Sukhum as he was ill and a long way away and at the time missing the funeral didn’t seem as important as was later realised.
When did the power struggle shift into a new phase?
During 1924 and 1925
Until 1924 and 1925 what had people underestimated about Stalin?
His political skills and the importance of Stalin’s bureaucratic power as General Secretary by other, more flamboyant leaders.
Why did Stalin’s ambitions go unnoticed?
Because other people thought there was more of an obvious and pressing concern to “stop Trotsky”.
What happened began to happen to Trotsky?
His position became weaker and perceptions of Stalin changed and the Triumvirate began to fall apart.
When did Stalins’s control of the bureaucratic power as General Secretary begin to be perceived as threats to his rivals?
1924
What occasion seemed to offer the perfect time to mive against Stalin?
The Thirteenth Party Congress in May 1924
Why was Trotsky hesitant to move against Stalin?
Because he was nervous of being blames for causing a split in the Party, possibly because he thought there were be a better opportunity later.
Who did Stalin have support from at the Congress?
He had valuable support from Kamenev and Zinoviev, who protected Stalin from criticisms arising from Lenin’s testament. The Triumvirate seemed strong.
What did Trotsky lack?
An instinct for bureaucratic infighting, or the patience needed to mobilise his supporters to win over potential allies.
What did Stalin show that Trotsky didn’t?
single-minded focus on building up a personal following of loyal supporters.
Name 4 people who Stalin built close relationships with.
1) Vyacheslav Molotov (the Assistant General Secretary)
2) Lazar Kaganovich (first secretary of the Party in Ukraine)
3) Kliment Voroshilov (an ally of Stalin since they had worked together as Political Commissars fighting in the Civil War)
4) Sergei Kirov (a youthful rising star in the Leningrad party leadership, and placing them in key positions)
Why did tensions grow within the Triumvirate after the Thirteenth Party Congress in 1924?
Because Kamenev and Zinoviev became frustrated by their failure to control Stalin.
Who became an ally of Stalin?
Bukharin
Why did Bukharin become and ally of Stalin?
Because this was the time when the debate over “permanent revolution” or “Socialism in One Country” was particularly intense and Bukharin liked Stalin’s idea.
Where did Stalin place himself in these shifting alliances and why?
In the “golden middle” avoiding extreme positions.
What happened to Trotsky at the Central Committee in January?
Trotsky was forced out of his post as People’s Commissar of war.
What did Zinoviev what to do to Trotsky and what did Stalin think of this?
Zinoviev wanted Trotsky expelled from the Party but Stalin, determined to keep his image as a moderate, rejected this.
