How Did Stalin Emerge As Leader

Question 1

What was Lenin’s impact of Stalin?

Answer 1

-Lenin educated Stalin in ideology

Question 2

What was Lenin’s testament?

Answer 2

-speech he wrote he wanted read at party congress after his death

Question 3

What did he say in his testament?

Answer 3

-didn’t name successor
-but gives opinion on who take over

Question 4

What did Lenin say about Stalin?

Answer 4

-had unlimited power as Sec-Gen but wasn’t sure he would use with sufficient caution
-said he is ‘too coarse’, ‘intolerable’ as Sec-Gen + ‘capricious’
-Lenin wanted them to remove Stalin from this post

Question 5

What did Lenin say about Bukharin?

Answer 5

-popular + the favourite
-valuable + major theorist of party + outstanding
-not fully Marxist views + maybe using B’vik for own power claim

Question 6

What did Lenin say about Kamenev + Zinoviev?

Answer 6

-moderate B’viks
-opposed B’vik seizure of power

Question 7

What did Lenin say about Trotsky?

Answer 7

-hung up on world rev + not socialism in one state
-the most capable man + outstanding ability
-but preoccupied with administrative side + excessive self-assurance

Question 8

What was the impact of the testament on the power struggle?

Answer 8

-criticised everyone
-central committee decided suppress + not read it

Question 9

Why did the central committee do this?

Answer 9

-to protect themselves from potential criticism
-this saved Stalin from criticism

Question 10

What happened Dec 1922 during stage 1 of taking power?

Answer 10

-‘triumvirate’ alliance - Zinoviev, Kamenev + Stalin
-Stalin seeking help to block Trotsky taking power

Question 11

Why were Kamenev + Zinobiev involved in this alliance with Stalin?

Answer 11

-share similar views econ policy but fear T due to his army support
-also his arrogance + uncompromising personality

Question 12

What happened April 1923 under stage 1?

Answer 12

-12th party Congress new central committee of 40 elected
-only 3 support Trotsky

Question 13

How does Stalin build up support in this committee?

Answer 13

-uses powers as Sec-Gen build support local level,
-ensuring his nominees are elected to furtire congresses

Question 14

What happened Jan 1924 during stage 1?

Answer 14

-Lenin dies + Stalin gives T wrong date for funeral
-Stalin gives funeral oration instead + dismisses supporters of left opposition

Question 15

What happens during stage 2 may 1924?

Answer 15

-Lenin’s widow releases testament before 13th Congress
-K + Z argue against release + T refuses get involved
-this aids Stalin

Question 16

What happened Jan 1925 during stage 2?

Answer 16

-T publish ‘lessons of Oct’ showing K + Z opposition to Lenin 1917
-S not mentioned which aids him + continues bring supporters forming majorities in committees

Question 17

What happened jul 1926 during stage 2?

Answer 17

-14th party Congress S supports Bukharin on right
-but K + Z call for VoNC against S but lose as delegates largely stalinists
-new central committee with S-B maj + Z forces sets down as leader of Leningrad party

Question 18

What happened Nov 1926 during stage 2?

Answer 18

-Z + K join T left wing ‘united opp’ organising demonstrations in Moscow
-S accuses them ‘factionalisim’ + Z removed from Politburo

Question 19

What happened to Z + T during Nov 1926?

Answer 19

-expelled from communist party
-K removed from central committee
-united opposition collapses

Question 20

What happened during stage 3 Jan 1928?

Answer 20

-T deported + S announces new ‘left leaning’ econ policy which disagrees with B + followers
-some T supporters begin to follow S

Question 21

What happened see 1928 under stage 3?

Answer 21

-B + T try form alliance but rejected as supporters hesitant
-S accuses them of factionalism

Question 22

What happens in Feb and April 1929?

Answer 22

-T deported out of Russia
-B removed from post as editor of Pravda

Question 23

What happened Nov and Dec 1929?

Answer 23

-B removed from politburo
-S celebrates 50 bday as undisputed Soviet leader