Ideological Debates and Issues in the Leadership Struggle Flashcards
What had the party become split over from 1921
economic policy
what did Lenin introduce in 1921
the New Economic Policy
how was NEP seen
it was a radical divergence from Marxist theory because it allowed private enterprise to continue
What did Lenin say about NEP
it was a necessary compromise, to be implemented ‘seriously and for a long time’.
who wanted to abandon NEP
the ‘left’, led by Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev
who wanted NEP to continue
the ‘right’, led by Rykov, Tomsky and Bukharin
what was Stalin’s attitude toward NEP
it was inconsistent, fluctuating from, a left-leaning position up to 1925, then support for the continuance of the NEP up to 1928, finally switching back in 1928 to 1929 to a policy of replacing the NEP with a revolutionary surge towards rapid industrialisation and collectivization of agriculture
what ideological issues overshadowed other debates
the question of world revolution
what did all theories of Marxism-Leninism assume
that it was impossible for a revolution to survive in a single country
why was it seen the revolution could not survive
the capitalist countries would gang together and strangle the revolution at birth
how was Marxist theory contradicted by events
the revolutions in Germany, Hungary and elsewhere were crushed
what blocked the revolutionary way to the west
defeat in the Russo-Polish war in 1920
what did Trotsky and the Left still hold when it came to their ideology
the line of permanent revolution - maximum support should be given to the Comintern in fomenting revolution across the world until a truly socialist society was achieved everywhere
what pragmatic view did Stalin take in 1923
Socialism in One Country
what was the idea of socialism in one country
that Bolshevik Russia should aim to build a worker’s paradise in the Soviet Union as an example to the world
what did Stalin establish by 1924
a central position in the party leadership
what enabled Stalin to entrench his position
Lenin’s funeral
what was Stalin’s role at the funeral
he was placed in charge of arrangements
how did Stalin use the funeral to his advantage
he seized the opportunity to promote the cult of Leninism by making the funeral a state occasion, marked by reverend adoration for the Great Leader
what did Stalin insist
that Lenin’s body was embalmed and placed in public view
where was Trotsky
absent - far away in Sukhum on the Black sea, convalescing from a serious bout of influenza
what did Trotsky’s failure to attend Lenin’s funeral do
it gave Stalin a political advantage
why had Stalin’s ambitions gone unnoticed
due to the pressing concern to stop Trotsky
what happened as Trotsky’s position weakened
perception of Stalin changed and the Triumvirate began to fall apart
what was seen as the perfect occasion to move against Stalin
the Thirteenth Party Congress in May 1924
what did Trotsky do at the Thirteenth Party Congress
he hesitated because he was nervous of being blamed for causing a split in the party, possibly because he thought there would be a better opportunity later.
who did Stalin have the support of in the Congress
Kamenev and Zinoviev protected Stalin from criticisms arising from Lenin’s testament.
what was the issue with Trotsky
he was not a natural conspirator like Stalin; he lacked an instinct for bureaucratic infighting, or the patience needed to mobilise his supporters or win political allies until it was too late
who did Stalin have the support of
Vyacheslav Molotov (the assistant General Sec)
Lazar Kaganovich (first sec of the party in Ukraine)
Kliment Voroshilov
Sergei Kirov
what has Robert Service said about Stalin
‘Stalin demanded efficiency as well as loyalty from the gang members. He created an ambience of conspiracy, companionship and crude masculine humour. In return for their services he looked after their interests’.
When did tensions grow within the party
after the thirteenth party congress of 1924
why did tensions grow
Kamenev and Zinoviev became frustrated by their failure to control Stalin
who had become an ally of Stalin against the others
Bukharin
where was the mood of the party moving towards
Stalin’s view that stability within the USSR was more important than ‘reckless adventures’ fomenting revolution abroad
what did many disagree with Bukharin over
his enthusiastic support for peasants ‘enriching themselves’
where was Stalin able to place himself
in the ‘golden middle’, avoiding extreme positions