Lenin’s Death

Question 1

When did Lenin die?

Answer 1

January 1924

Question 2

Lenin’s funeral

Answer 2

• 3.5 mil people filed past his body which was lying in state
• Theatres/shops closed 1 week
• Stalin addressed memorial meeting, helped form the cult of Leninism

Question 3

Features of Lenin’s rule by 1924

Answer 3

• One party state
• Use of terror
• Centralised and bureaucratic state
• Party detached from the people
• Lack of real democracy
• Purges
• Central planning of the economy
• Mass mobilisation

Question 4

What is democratic centralism?

Answer 4

• Lower party obeys the decisions of the higher party
• Ban on internal factions

Question 5

Lenin and Stalin

Answer 5

Stalin of key importance to Lenin:
- Shown himself ruthlessly dedicated to Bolshevik cause (e.g Tiflis)
- Helped secure Lenin’s safety during 1917
- Key role in Sovnarkom, was loyal to Lenin in first few years
- After Lenin became ill, Stalin became more critical of Lenin and disagreements emerged

Question 6

Features of Totalitarianism

Answer 6

• State control over economy
• Mobilisation of the population by the state to get rid of enemies
• State control over all forms of communication
• Large scale terror to supervise the pop
• Adulation of a single leader
• Imposition of a single ideology