Lenin's death and the power struggle Flashcards
When Lenin die
January 1924
Collective leadership
Marxism said shouldn’t have a single leader, after Lenin many in arty wanted collective leadership by committee, mostly because these people feared Trotsky.
Power struggle before Lenin’s death
After stroke 1922 began forming, 1922-23 Triumvirate formed K and Z and Stalin to block Trotsky, others circling.
Lenins dislike of Stalin
Whilst Commissar for Nationalities Stalin had taken control of Georgia, said it was by popular uprising but turned out he had crushed independence movement, Lenin furious.
Insulted his wife.
Stalin’s likeability
Was often perceived as intellectually inferior but very knowledgeable on the party machinery, could be likeable, allies like Bukharin used his pet nickname ‘Koba’.
Stalin’s strengths
Position as General Secretary.
Worked hard and mastered theories behind Marxist-Leninism.
Good at concealing intentions.
Deliberately put himself close to Lenin when ill.
In 1926 Mariya Lenin’s sister enlisted to help defend him from criticism.
Stalin’s weaknesses
Crude and violent, accentuated by Lenin’s criticisms when alive.
Only a minor role in revolution.
Although secret, close people knew Lenin had turned against him.
Trotsky’s strengths
Very organised and man of action, good theoretician.
Held prestige from achievements in revolution and civil war.
Trotsky’s weaknesses
Many others feared him.
Late convert to Bolshevism so some old Bolsheviks suspicious.
Arrogance for people lower than him, underrated Stalin.
No effort to build support in party.
Inconsistent, opposed by Triumvirate but later allied with K and Z.
Indecisive in critical moments.
Attacked party bureaucracy in 1924 which was a mistake.
Kamenev’s strengths
An old Bolshevik why helped form policy and was close to Lenin.
Strong power base from running the local party in Moscow.
Regarded as intelligent.
Kamenev’s weaknesses
Reputation for inconsistency for opposing Lenin in 1917 then switching support between Stalin and Trotsky.
Zinoviev more popular than him.
Seen as too soft to be sole leader.
Underestimated Stalin.
Zinoviev’s strengths
Old Bolshevik
High in Lenin’s favour ‘my closest and most trusted assistant’
Power base as party boss in Leningrad.
Zinoviev’s weaknesses
Reputation for inconsistency for opposing Lenin in 1917 then switching support between Stalin and Trotsky.
Underestimate Stalin.
Left it too late to switch support to Trotsky.
Bukharin’s strengths
Popular with Lenin and the Party, friendly with both Left and Right.
Best theoretician.
Expert on economics and agriculture.
Bukharin’s weaknesses
Tried to avoid factional fighting so had no powerbase.
Underestimated Stalin and was his target because more popular.
Left it too late to make alliance with K and Z.
Rykov’s strengths
Respected as an old Bolshevik
Administrative ability in implementing economic changes.
Support from Sovnarkom, was made deputy chair and chair in 1924.
Rykov’s weaknesses
Conciliator not plotter.
Ceremonial position.
Taxes on vodka unpopular.
Argued with Lenin 1917.
Underrated Stalin.
Tomsky’s strengths
Respected as old Bolshevik and for working class background.
Chief spokesperson for trade unions and gen sec for Red International of Trade Unions.
Ally of moderate leaders.
Tomsky’s weaknesses
Intense opposition to Trotsky blinded him to Stalin, helped Stalin purge left wingers from party with Rykov and Bukharin in 1926.
Trade union powerbase made him a target for Stalin.
Support for NEP used against him after 1927 grain crisis.
