Power Struggle

Question 1

From left to right wing: name the leadership contenders

Answer 1

Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev, Stalin, Rykov, Tomsky and Bukharin

Question 2

What characteristics of Trotsky were unpopular?

Answer 2

He was arrogant, aloof and dismissive of others. This meant he was unable to build popularity and good working relationships with senior members of the party

Question 3

What was unfortunate for Trotsky between 1923-1926 which reduced his chances of taking power?

Answer 3

He was ill, unable to deal with political attacks and was therefore incapable of attending some politburo meetings with key votes

Question 4

Which policy aims of Trotsky did other party members fear?

Answer 4

They feared he would set up a military dictatorship and rely heavily on repression. Likewise, he dreamed of an international revolution which could lead to more internal distress and international conflict

Question 5

Where was Zinoviev party secretary?

Answer 5

Leningrad

Question 6

How did E.H.Carr describe Zinoviev?

Answer 6

“weak, vain, ambitious”

Question 7

Where was Kamenev party secretary?

Answer 7

Moscow

Question 8

Why was Kamenev an attractive candidate for being leader?

Answer 8

He was seen as able, reliable and intellectual (unlike Zinoviev). He was a longstanding member of the party and viewed as moderate.

Question 9

What two names were given to Stalin? (show underestimating his capabilities)

Answer 9

“Comrade Card Index”

“Grey Blur”

Question 10

What was Rykov’s position on the NEP and War communism? What features reduced his chances of becoming party leader?

Answer 10

• Proponent of the NEP and opponent of War Communism

- He was less powerful within the party and a notorious drinker - his loyalty to communism was questioned by some

Question 11

What was Tomsky mainly involved in and passionate about?

Answer 11

Trade Unions and Workers

He was not an intellectual.

Question 12

How did Lenin describe Bukharin? (his popularity)

Answer 12

As the “golden boy”

Question 13

What was the name of Trotsky’s faction, who, in 1923, called for a huge increase in state subsidised and planned industrial development?

Answer 13

The Platform of 46

Question 14

Where was Trotsky for Lenin’s funeral in January 1924?

Answer 14

He was convalescing at the Black Sea

Hence, he was unable to demonstrate his inheritance of Lenin’s power

Question 15

What was Stalin’s role at Lenin’s funeral? How did this help his aim of becoming leader of the party?

Answer 15

He led the procession and gave the main speech. This framed himself as the successor of Lenin - since he was seen to take a leading role in his absence. During his speech, he repeated that “Comrade Lenin’s” command would be carried out and hence his succession seemed natural and a continuation of Lenin’s legacy (unlike with Trotsky)

Question 16

What was set up to preserve Lenin’s memory after his death? What was required in every city? What was Petrograd renamed as? How did this influence who became the next leader?

Answer 16

The Immortalisation Committee was set up to preserve Lenin’s memory. A statue of Lenin was required in every city and Petrograd was renamed Leningrad. This showed that the person who was most likely to show himself to be Lenin’s heir would be more likely to get to power and emphasised the need for a single leader.

Question 17

What was the recruitment drive following Lenin’s death called? Who oversaw this and how did he appeal to the new recruits(mainly workers)?

Answer 17

The Lenin Enrolment 
Overseen by Stalin who appealed to the new recruits through nationalism and patriotism. He also cited his own working-class background to relate to their interests and struggles

Question 18

What did Lenin’s political testament do?

Answer 18

Carry a criticism on the members of the Politburo although Trotsky and Stalin were targeted in particular

Question 19

Who agreed to supress the testament? What did they form in 1924?

Answer 19

Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin - the Triumvirate

Question 20

What is the name given to the conflict between the Triumvirate and Trotsky in 1924?

Answer 20

The Literary War

Question 21

Why were Trotsky’s criticisms defeated at the 13th PC (such as his opposition to the NEP and promotion of a permanent revolution)? What prevented him from continuing to oppose following policy decisions?

Answer 21

Since he lacked the supporters in the congress whereas Zinoviev and Kamenev had significant blocs and Stalin had been appointing loyal local party secretaries who in turn chose more supportive delegates to go to the congress.
The Ban on Factionalism prevented Trotsky from continuing with his ideas without fear of expulsion

Question 22

How did Zinoviev and Kamenev challenge Trotsky? What was his response? Why did this left wing in-fighting strengthen Stalin’s position?

Answer 22

Zinoviev and Kamenev challenged Trotsky’s loyalty and policy aims, citing the fact that he was a former Menshevik. Trotsky responded with the ‘lessons of October’ which highlighted the pairs reticent and almost defeating role in the October revolution. Stalin grew in strength since he acted as the mediator, grew in legitimacy and was allowed to keep bringing in more of his own supporters to party positions as Zinoviev and Kamenev feared Trotsky too much.

Question 23

What two pieces of writing did Stalin write in 1924 to attack Trotsky?

Answer 23

“On the Foundations of Leninism” and “Comrade Trotsky’s Theory of Permanent Revolution”

Question 24

When was Trotsky removed as Commissar for Military Affairs?

Answer 24

January 1925

Question 25

Why did Zinoviev and Kamenev challenge Stalin at the 14th PC in 1925? What vote occurred which was defeated?

Answer 25

Since they did not want the NEP any longer - they felt it benefitted the peasants lots but not the proletariat i.e. the workers. Likewise, it was becoming harder to buy enough grain off peasants at fair prices. Likewise, they felt there should be a collective leadership instead of Stalin’s increasing individual power.
Vote of No Confidence in Stalin was defeated

Question 26

Which policies brought Stalin the support of the more rightist elements of the party?

Answer 26

Socialism in One Country and the NEP

Question 27

Who replaced Dzerzhinsky after his death? Why is this significant?

Answer 27

Kuibyshev – He was appointed by Stalin and close with him. This gave Stalin influence over the secret police and more power in the politburo.

Question 28

What did Zinoviev, Kamenev and Trotsky form in 1926? Why did this lead to their expulsion in 1926 (Trotsky) and 1927 (Zinoviev and Kamenev)?

Answer 28

The United Opposition - this was however a faction which was banned.

Question 29

How did Stalin turn against the right wing he had formed an alliance with in 1928? Why was Bukharin’s defence for the NEP defeated at the PC in Jan 1929? Which right-wing leaders were removed following this?

Answer 29

He revoked his support for the NEP and argued for greater state control, including grain requistioning, and industrialisation.
Bukharin’s defence for the NEP was defeated because he did not have quite enough votes to defeat Stalin’s supporters.
Tomsky and Rykov were removed along with Bukharin following this

Question 30

Who was in the Politburo in December 1924? December 1926?

Answer 30

1924 – Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev, Stalin, Rykov, Bukharin

1926 – Bukharin, Rykov, Tomsky, Rudzutak, Kuibyshev, Molotov, Stalin, Voroshilov

Question 31

When did Trotsky resign as war commissar? Why? When was he first criticised for this?

Answer 31

January 1925 because he saw that he lacked the backing within the party to lead such an important position. He had alienated the party through (amongst others) supporting factionalism and forced socialist reconstruction.
13th PC in January 1924