Lenin to Stalin and the fight for leadership Flashcards
What was one of the most important actions carried out by Lenin before his death?
The publishment of Lenin’s testament
What did Stalin urge in Lenin’s testament?
He urged comrades to think of ways of removing Stalin from his position as general secretary
Why was Lenin’s testament never made public?
As the damaged other leading members
Who was criticised the most within Lenin’s testament?
Stalin
What actions were carried out by the party following Lenin’s testament?
Nothing was done and no formal steps had been taken to remove Stalin
What was Stalin’s vibe with Lenin?
Stalin was a committed follower of Lenin, totally loyal to his cause
What did Stalin do for the bolsheviks in his early days and how?
Stalin raised funds for the Bolsheviks through bank hold-ups and train robberies
Where (within the party) had Stalin risen to by 1912?
He was one of six members within the Bolshevik, Central committee
What was Lenins view on Stalin at the start? Why?
He was highly regarded by Lenin as Stalin had worked closely and loyally with Lenin
Where did Stalin start within the party, rising to which position?
He started at People’s commissar for Nationalities and slowly rose to become the Secretary of the Communist party
Who was Stalin totally loyal to?
Lenin
What does Stalin mean?
‘Man of steel’
When does Stalin adopt the name Stalin?
It was adopted by Stalin as he entered the Bolshevik party
In terms of leadership what was Stalin?
Stalin was extremely organised and an exceptional leader
What was Stalin not?
He was not a skilled orator
What was the result of Lenins Legacy?
Lenin’s actions and decisions became unchallengeable
Following Lenin’s legacy how would arguments be settled?
Any arguments would be settled through reference to his work.
How could a member establish a formidable claim to power?
If any member could be seen to carry on Lenin’s work
What did the party attempt to to between 1923 and 1925?
The party set out to increase the number of members in the CSPU
What was the increase in the party between 1923 and 1925?
There were 340’000 in 1922 to 600’000 in 1925
Who were the new members loyal to? Why?
All of these members were all loyal to Stalin as he was the one who got them in the party
What caused the ban on factions?
Lenin’s condemnation in 1921 of divisions within the party
What was the result of the ban of factions?
It would be extremely difficult to mount any form of legitimate opposition to the CPSU
How did Stalin make use of the ban of factions?
He would use of this policy to resist challenges to his authority
What was the permanent revolution?
That the revolution was a continuous process
What was the first step in the permanent revolution?
The Russian revolution
What was the goal of the permanent revolution?
An international proletarian revolution
Under the theory of permanent revolution how would the USSR be safe?
Only if international risings occurred
What was Socialism in one country?
Modernisation by USSR’s own efforts
What was the priority of Socialism in one country?
Survival of the USSR
What was suspended as a result of Socialism in one country?
Efforts at international revolution
What do Kamenev and Zinoviev do at the CPSU congress in 1925?
They used their influence to create a pro-Stalin, anti Trotsky viewpoint
At the CPSU congress in 1925 what happens to Trotsky as a result of Kamenev and Zinovievs actions?
Trotsky was votyed against and he was dismissed as War commissar
Once Trostsky is removed who does Stalin turn his attention to?
Zinoviev and Kamenev
How do Zinoviev and Kamenev respond to Stalins challenge?
They form the ‘United Opposition’
Why do Trotsky and the ‘United Opposition’ join forces?
As the policies of the United Opposition matched Trotsky’s
At the 1926 congress who provides the votes to defeat the ‘United Opposition’?
Stalin used the Right communists
What was the result of the defeat of the ‘United Opposition’?
- Kamenev and Zinoviev being dismissed as Soviet chairman
- Trotsky was expelled from both the Politburo and central committee
Who were the leading figures of the Right? (3)
Tomsky, Bukharin and Uglanov
What were the issues raised by the right? (3)
- When to end NEP?
- How were the peasants to be treated?
- What was the pace to be for Industrialization?
Why were the right never a threat?
Due to their weaknesses
What were some weaknesses of the right? (4)
- Lacking appealing ideas
- Poor organisation
- Leaders inability to rally support
- Easily outmanoeuvred by Stalin
When had the right been defeated?
By 1929
What was the result of the defeat of the right? (3)
- 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
