Ideological debates and issues in the leadership struggle Flashcards
NEP and industrialisation; permanent revolution versus socialism in one country; how and why Stalin became party leader and the outcome for other contenders
what was the debate over the NEP
the NEP was a radical divergence from Marxist theory as it allowed private enterprise
Lenin’s successors had to decide whether it was to be abandoned as quickly as possible or to stick to it to build the economy before full socialism
Who was on the left
Trotsky
Zinoviev
Kamenev
Left opinions on the NEP
immediate abandonment of the NEP as it created class divides e.g. NEPmen and kulaks
wanted to resume grain requisitioning and to industrialise rapidly
rights opinions on the NEP
NEP allowed to continue and socialism would develop gradually
NEP provided economic stability and kulaks were useful as could buy consumer goods to help industries grow
who was on the right
Bukharin
Tomsky
Rykov
Stalin’s opinions on the NEP
1921 approved of the NEP as it helped feed the country and deliver industrialisation necessary for communism
1928 clear the NEP had failed and Stalin abandoned it
tactical to hold power
what was the debate over world revolution
marxist theory said it was impossible for socialism to survive in one country so Russia needed to trigger revolutions in other countries
revolutions in Germany and Hungary had been crushed and the Russo-polish war blocked the revolutionary way to the West
Comintern had not been very successful
Lefts opinions on world revolution
wanted world revolution as Russia’s proletariat was too underdeveloped and revolution in other countries could provided resources for Russia to transition to socialism
Rights opinions on world revolution
wanted socialism in one country as they thought the Russian people were capable and able to solve their own problems and build a workers state
thought world revolution would threaten the security of the USSR
Stalin’s opinions on world revolution
supported socialism in one country as it appealed to Russian nationalism
led Bukharin to believe he also supported the NEP
why Stalin became party leader - position in the party
central position as general secretary allowed him to place his supporters in key positions
Lenin enrolment 1923-1925 allowed Stalin to add 500,000 new members to the party who now all owed loyalty to him
why Stalin became party leader - cult of leninism
Stalin was placed in charge of the arrangements for the funeral
Stalin made the funeral a state occasion with adoration for Lenin and Lenin’s body embalmed and placed on public view
Leninism turned into religion with Stalin as the high priest
Trotsky was absent making him less popular
How was Trotsky defeated
Trotsky had the opportunity to challenge Stalin at the 13th party congress in May 1924 as fears over Stalin’s control of the bureaucracy was growing
Trotsky hesitated and Stalin had the support of K and Z
Central committee meeting January 1925 Trotsky was forced out of his post as commissar for war
how was the left defeated (Z+K)
Stalin allied with Bukharin in 1924 after 13th congress as K+Z became frustrated that they could not control Stalin
14th congress December 1925 K+Z launched attack on Stalin however was difficult as had been allied with him and were painted as factionalists
K+Z were pushed to join Trotsky 1926
October 1927 central committee voted to expel T,Z and K from the CC then expelled from party altogether as Stalin and Bukharin had unbuilt majorities in party committees
how was the right defeated
food shortages in 1928 heightened criticism of the NEP
Stalin began using harsh measure in the countryside and advocated for rapid industrialisation causing division between him and Bukharin
Bukharin mounted strong defence of the NEP but congress of 1929 saw him outvoted by Stalin’s supporters and the left of the party
December 1929 B, R and T were removed from politburo and other party bodies
