Ideological Debates in Power Struggle

Question 1

Why did the NEP spark ideological debates in the Party?

Answer 1

Because it was a radical divergence from Marxist Theory. It allowed private enterprise to continue.

Question 2

Who were the 3 main Left Wingers of the Party and why didn’t they support the NEP?

Answer 2

Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinoviev. They thought it had to be changed.

Question 3

Who were the 3 main Right Wingers of the Party and why did the support the NEP?

Answer 3

Bukharin, Tomsky and Rykov. They thought it was necessary to rapidly industrialise Russia for Socialism.

Question 4

How did Stalin’s views on the NEP fluctuate?

Answer 4

He did not support the NEP originally. But in 1925 he changed to supporting it and then in 1928 he took a step further and wanted a program which reindustrialised the USSR even quicker.

Question 5

What is the theory of Permanent Revolution?

Answer 5

The theory that Marxism should be spread worldwide and this should be the Party’s Goal.

Question 6

What is the theory of Socialism in One Country?

Answer 6

The theory that the USSR should focus on developing its own Perfect Socialist Utopia.

Question 7

Why was Permanent Revolution vs Socialism in One Country a burning question for the Bolshevik Party?

Answer 7

Because the USSR was the only communist state in the world, they needed to know what to do about that.

Question 8

How did the Left and the Right differ when it came to Permanent Revolution vs Socialism in One Country?

Answer 8

The Left Wing (Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev) supported Permanent Revolution, whereas Stalin and the right focused on Socialism in One Country

Question 9

How did Stalin use Lenin’s funeral to further his position in the Bolshevik Party?

Answer 9

He was in charge of arrangements. He made sure Lenin’s body was embalmed and put on display. He became the High Priest of ‘Leninism.’

Question 10

Why had people generally underestimated Stalin?

Answer 10

Because they’d been so preoccupied with trying to ‘stop Trotsky’.

Question 11

At which Party congress did Trotsky miss his chance to move against Stalin? (Clue: Unlucky Number)

Answer 11

13th Party Congress in May 1924.

Question 12

Why did Trotsky hesitate at the 13th Party Congress?

Answer 12

He thought in future there may be a better opportunity and he realised that Stalin had the support of the Triumvirate (Stalin, Zinoviev and Kamenev).

Question 13

Why was Trotsky’s hesitation at the 13th Party Congress a bad move?

Answer 13

He never found a better opportunity to challenge Stalin, resulting in his power decreasing.

Question 14

How did Stalin build his power from 1924 onwards?

Answer 14

He appointed loyal supporters of his ideals to high political positions. Such as Kirov being appointed in Leningrad. This was strategic bureaucratic positioning.

Question 15

Why did the Triumvirate disband?

Answer 15

Zinoviev and Kamenev realised that Stalin was getting out of control.

Question 16

How did Stalin avoid being penalised for taking sides in the Party?

Answer 16

He placed himself in the golden middle. He avoided extreme positions.

Question 17

What happened to Trotsky in January 1925? Which position did he lose?

Answer 17

He lost his position as People’s Commissar for War.

Question 18

When did come Kamenev and Zinoviev launch an attack on Stalin?

Answer 18

At the 14th Party Congress in December 1925.

Question 19

Who did Kamenev and Zinoviev join forces with in order to defeat Stalin in 1926?

Answer 19

Trotsky! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gne8o_hfPuQ

Question 20

What was the Duumvirate and what was its significance?

Answer 20

It was the alliance of Stalin and Bukharin and it was significant because they basically ran the government between 1926 an 1927.`

Question 21

In 1926, why did Stalin suddenly fear Trotsky again?

Answer 21

Because the Triumvirate had abandoned him to join Trotsky. So Zinoviev and Kamenev now supported Trotsky.

Question 22

What was the ‘Literary Discussion’ in the Power Struggle? Who won?

Answer 22

A phase where all the contenders wrote leaflets and pamphlets which explained why their policies were best. Stalin won, he appealed the most of the Party.

Question 23

What was Stalin blamed for in 1927?

Answer 23

The crushing of the Chinese Communists.

Question 24

Which significant expulsions from the Central Committee took place in October 1927?

Answer 24

Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev.

Bye bitches xoxo Stalin Girl.

Question 25

Which super fricken duper expulsions from the WHOLE PARTY took place in November 1927?

Answer 25

Trotsky and Zinoviev totally expelled.

Question 26

Why did tensions between Stalin and Bukharin develop in 1928?

Answer 26

Stalin had no intention of sharing power and the Duumvirate stood in the way of this.

Question 27

How did the 1928 food shortage exacerbate the power struggle for Bukharin?

Answer 27

Stalin favoured a stronger approach to industrialisation, whereas Bukharin had always been criticised for being ‘too soft’ on the peasantry. It could be seen that it was Bukharin’s leniency that had left to this.

Question 28

What did Stalin and Bukhrain squabble over regarding the peasantry in 1928?

Answer 28

Stalin implemented stronger measures against the peasants in 1928 without telling Bukharin. Bukharin wanted industrialisation at a slower pace, but Stalin wanted a rapid Five Year Plan.

Question 29

Stalin switched from the Golden Middle to radical revolutionary ideas in 1928. Name 3 radical ideas he had.

Answer 29

War Against the Kulaks
Rapid Industrialisation
Aggressive Support for Comintern

W A R = War against Kulaks, Aggressive Comintern Support and Rapid Industrialisation.

Question 30

What did a desperate Bukharin do in 1929?

Answer 30

Tried to contact Trotsky for help.

Question 31

What happened to Bukharin in the end of the struggle?

Answer 31

He was expelled from the Politburo in November 1929.