Lenin's death and the power struggle

Question 1

When Lenin die

Answer 1

January 1924

Question 2

Collective leadership

Answer 2

Marxism said shouldn’t have a single leader, after Lenin many in arty wanted collective leadership by committee, mostly because these people feared Trotsky.

Question 3

Power struggle before Lenin’s death

Answer 3

After stroke 1922 began forming, 1922-23 Triumvirate formed K and Z and Stalin to block Trotsky, others circling.

Question 4

Lenins dislike of Stalin

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Stalin’s likeability

Answer 5

Was often perceived as intellectually inferior but very knowledgeable on the party machinery, could be likeable, allies like Bukharin used his pet nickname ‘Koba’.

Question 6

Stalin’s strengths

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Stalin’s weaknesses

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Trotsky’s strengths

Answer 8

Very organised and man of action, good theoretician.
Held prestige from achievements in revolution and civil war.

Question 9

Trotsky’s weaknesses

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Kamenev’s strengths

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Kamenev’s weaknesses

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Zinoviev’s strengths

Answer 12

Old Bolshevik
High in Lenin’s favour ‘my closest and most trusted assistant’
Power base as party boss in Leningrad.

Question 13

Zinoviev’s weaknesses

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Bukharin’s strengths

Answer 14

Popular with Lenin and the Party, friendly with both Left and Right.
Best theoretician.
Expert on economics and agriculture.

Question 15

Bukharin’s weaknesses

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Rykov’s strengths

Answer 16

Respected as an old Bolshevik
Administrative ability in implementing economic changes.
Support from Sovnarkom, was made deputy chair and chair in 1924.

Question 17

Rykov’s weaknesses

Answer 17

Conciliator not plotter.
Ceremonial position.
Taxes on vodka unpopular.
Argued with Lenin 1917.
Underrated Stalin.

Question 18

Tomsky’s strengths

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Tomsky’s weaknesses

Answer 19

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.