Lenin to Stalin and the fight for leadership

Question 1

What was one of the most important actions carried out by Lenin before his death?

Answer 1

The publishment of Lenin’s testament

Question 2

What did Stalin urge in Lenin’s testament?

Answer 2

He urged comrades to think of ways of removing Stalin from his position as general secretary

Question 3

Why was Lenin’s testament never made public?

Answer 3

As the damaged other leading members

Question 4

Who was criticised the most within Lenin’s testament?

Answer 4

Stalin

Question 5

What actions were carried out by the party following Lenin’s testament?

Answer 5

Nothing was done and no formal steps had been taken to remove Stalin

Question 6

What was Stalin’s vibe with Lenin?

Answer 6

Stalin was a committed follower of Lenin, totally loyal to his cause

Question 7

What did Stalin do for the bolsheviks in his early days and how?

Answer 7

Stalin raised funds for the Bolsheviks through bank hold-ups and train robberies

Question 8

Where (within the party) had Stalin risen to by 1912?

Answer 8

He was one of six members within the Bolshevik, Central committee

Question 9

What was Lenins view on Stalin at the start? Why?

Answer 9

He was highly regarded by Lenin as Stalin had worked closely and loyally with Lenin

Question 10

Where did Stalin start within the party, rising to which position?

Answer 10

He started at People’s commissar for Nationalities and slowly rose to become the Secretary of the Communist party

Question 11

Who was Stalin totally loyal to?

Answer 11

Lenin

Question 12

What does Stalin mean?

Answer 12

‘Man of steel’

Question 13

When does Stalin adopt the name Stalin?

Answer 13

It was adopted by Stalin as he entered the Bolshevik party

Question 14

In terms of leadership what was Stalin?

Answer 14

Stalin was extremely organised and an exceptional leader

Question 15

What was Stalin not?

Answer 15

He was not a skilled orator

Question 16

What was the result of Lenins Legacy?

Answer 16

Lenin’s actions and decisions became unchallengeable

Question 17

Following Lenin’s legacy how would arguments be settled?

Answer 17

Any arguments would be settled through reference to his work.

Question 18

How could a member establish a formidable claim to power?

Answer 18

If any member could be seen to carry on Lenin’s work

Question 19

What did the party attempt to to between 1923 and 1925?

Answer 19

The party set out to increase the number of members in the CSPU

Question 20

What was the increase in the party between 1923 and 1925?

Answer 20

There were 340’000 in 1922 to 600’000 in 1925

Question 21

Who were the new members loyal to? Why?

Answer 21

All of these members were all loyal to Stalin as he was the one who got them in the party

Question 22

What caused the ban on factions?

Answer 22

Lenin’s condemnation in 1921 of divisions within the party

Question 23

What was the result of the ban of factions?

Answer 23

It would be extremely difficult to mount any form of legitimate opposition to the CPSU

Question 24

How did Stalin make use of the ban of factions?

Answer 24

He would use of this policy to resist challenges to his authority

Question 25

What was the permanent revolution?

Answer 25

That the revolution was a continuous process

Question 26

What was the first step in the permanent revolution?

Answer 26

The Russian revolution

Question 27

What was the goal of the permanent revolution?

Answer 27

An international proletarian revolution

Question 28

Under the theory of permanent revolution how would the USSR be safe?

Answer 28

Only if international risings occurred

Question 29

What was Socialism in one country?

Answer 29

Modernisation by USSR’s own efforts

Question 30

What was the priority of Socialism in one country?

Answer 30

Survival of the USSR

Question 31

What was suspended as a result of Socialism in one country?

Answer 31

Efforts at international revolution

Question 32

What do Kamenev and Zinoviev do at the CPSU congress in 1925?

Answer 32

They used their influence to create a pro-Stalin, anti Trotsky viewpoint

Question 33

At the CPSU congress in 1925 what happens to Trotsky as a result of Kamenev and Zinovievs actions?

Answer 33

Trotsky was votyed against and he was dismissed as War commissar

Question 34

Once Trostsky is removed who does Stalin turn his attention to?

Answer 34

Zinoviev and Kamenev

Question 35

How do Zinoviev and Kamenev respond to Stalins challenge?

Answer 35

They form the ‘United Opposition'

Question 36

Why do Trotsky and the ‘United Opposition' join forces?

Answer 36

As the policies of the United Opposition matched Trotsky's

Question 37

At the 1926 congress who provides the votes to defeat the 'United Opposition'?

Answer 37

Stalin used the Right communists

Question 38

What was the result of the defeat of the 'United Opposition'?

Answer 38

- Kamenev and Zinoviev being dismissed as Soviet chairman | - Trotsky was expelled from both the Politburo and central committee

Question 39

Who were the leading figures of the Right? (3)

Answer 39

Tomsky, Bukharin and Uglanov

Question 40

What were the issues raised by the right? (3)

Answer 40

- When to end NEP? - How were the peasants to be treated? - What was the pace to be for Industrialization?

Question 41

Why were the right never a threat?

Answer 41

Due to their weaknesses

Question 42

What were some weaknesses of the right? (4)

Answer 42

- Lacking appealing ideas - Poor organisation - Leaders inability to rally support - Easily outmanoeuvred by Stalin

Question 43

When had the right been defeated?

Answer 43

By 1929

Question 44

What was the result of the defeat of the right? (3)

Answer 44

- Tomsky was no longer the national trade union leader - Uglanov had been replaced in the Moscow party organisation - Bukharin loses his place in the Politburo