How did Stalin gain and hold to power ? Flashcards
What was Lenin’s Political testament ?
.Between decemeber 1922 and January 1923
.Lenin’s will that stated his aims for the bolshevik party after his death
.Trotsky was favoured over Stalin in this document.
.It criticised key bolsheviks
Stalin’s position at the time of Lenin’s death
. He had key positions in the politburo and orgburo and as general secretary. This gave him control of the party machine
. Stalin was in control of appointments and the membership. This made him popular as other contenders wanted him on their side because he could deliver votes in the congress
How did Stalin gain support at Lenin’s funeral
.Tricked Trotsky into not turning up for Lenin’s funeral
. At the funeral Stalin presented himself as Lenin’s disciple
How did Stalin manage to gain power in parliament
.Stalin outmanoeuvred his opponents, playing them off against each other.
.For example: In 1925 his policy of socialism in one country made him popular with the right wing
. However in 1928 Stalin turned against the NEP and attacked the right wing. He now advocated for rapid industrialisation and the use of force top make the peasants co-operate
What were Trotsky’s weaknesses
. He remained silent during the circulation of Lenin’s secret testament as he didn’t want to get involved. If read out to congress it would’ve increased his supported and ended Stalin’s career.
.Did not appeal to his supporters.
.Trotsky was too high minded, arrogant and dismissive of his colleagues
. He did not like getting involved in the drudgery of politics.
. He did not go out of his way to develop or build up his power base I the party (emboldened Stalin to erode the one he already had)
What were the purges?
An attempt to cleanse Russia of perceived opposition to Stalin and communism.
What happened at the 17th Communist Party Congress in 1934?
Sergei Kirov received more applause than Stalin after calling for the pace of industrialisation to slow down. He was killed soon after.
What were Stalin’s motives for the purges ?
. To solidify/consolidate his power
. Speed up industrialisation
. To restore a capitalist state
How did the purges help speed up industrialisation ?
. The purges were the only way Stalin could get mass, free, forced labour for his industrial and collectivisation policies
. The purges were a good way of explaining setback as Stalin could justify the use of purges when there were failures to achieved the 5YP targets
. The fear of being punished forced people to work harder
Reasons for Stalin’s use of the purges to solidify his power
. Stalin was concerned that his enemies were plotting to over throw him
. Stalin wanted to destroy any men who might form an alternative government
. Allowed him to remove old bolsheviks
How many people the central committee were affected by the purges
Around 70 % of central committee members in 1934 were arrested and shot
What were show trials?
Public trials, usually on trumped up charges, of senior old Bolsheviks who might oppose Stalin. They were broadcast on the radio.
Name three high profile victims of show trials
Kamenev, Zinoviev, Bukharin, Yagoda.
What methods did Stalin use to control the Soviet Union ?
. NKVD
. The GULAG system
. Show trials
. Propoganda
. The Cult of Stalin
Give three ways in which Stalin promoted a cult of personality.
His name and picture were everywhere, in a variety of outfits and poses; streets and cities named after him; poems and plays written about him; statues put up of him.
What title were children encouraged to give to Stalin?
Great Leader.
Uses of censorship
. Pravda was the only legal newspaper in the USSR
. Western radio stations were banned
. Writers’ books and articles had to be submitted to committees before they were published
Cult of personality in schools
.The government edited photographs to remove Bolshevik Party members considered ‘enemies of the state’ under Stalin’s regime
.History textbooks wrote Lenin and Stalin, rather than Trotsky, as the key figures in the October Revolution
What fraction of churches were still holding regular services by 1939?
1 in 40.
How was Stalin’s control over the Soviet Union complete by 1941
. After the purges remaining party members were loyal to Stalin
. The NKVD and the GULAG system instilled fear
. The Communist party was in control of all arts and media
. Stalin’s cult of personality led to many young people worshipping him as a god
. Collectivisation and 5YPs kept the peasants and workers controlled
