Power Struggle Flashcards
What were the three issues which divided the party?
- Bureaucracy vs rule of the proletariat
- Permanent revolution vs Socialism in One Country
- the role of the peasants and rapid industrialisation
What did those who wanted bureaucracy want?
A centralisation of power
What did those who wanted the rule of the proletariat want?
An end to the extension of the bureaucratic government and a return to the ideals of the revolution with a broad based government guided by the will of the people
Did Trotsky want bureaucracy or rule of the proletariat?
The rule of the proletariat
Did stalin wan bureaucracy or the rule of the proletariat?
Bureaucracy
Why did Stalin want a bureaucratic government?
Because as general secretary he would gain more influence
What is the theory of permanent revolution?
The idea that a socialist country could not be built in Russia unless the revolution spread to other parts of the world
What is “socialism in one country”?
The idea that Russia, with its vast resources could build a socialist country alone. There was no need for a world revolution
Did Trotsky believe in permanent revolution or socialism in one country?
Permanent revolution
Did Stalin want permanent revolution or socialism in one country?
Socialism in one country
Who won the debate between permanent revolution and why?
Stalin
The masses and the party, after enjoying stability since 1922 desired normality
What did Stalin believe the role of the peasants was?
To produce sufficient food for the industrial workers
Why did Stalin think Russia needed to industrialise rapidly?
They were surrounded by capitalist enemies and needed to catch up with them
Who was in the triumvirate against Trotsky?
Kamenev, Zinoviev and Stalin
What were Trotsky major mistakes in the first stages of the power struggle? (4)
- he under estimates Stalin
- doesn’t go to Lenins funeral
- doesn’t go to twelfth party congress to defend himself
- resigns as commissar for military and naval stuff
What was formed in July 1926?
The united opposition
When did the united opposition form?
July 1926
Who was in the united opposition?
Kamenev, Zinoviev and Trotsky
What was the united opposition?
An anti Stalinist bloc which aimed at opposing the policies of the right
Which significant person backed the united opposition?
Krupskaya (Lenins widow)
What was the outcome of the united opposition for Trotsky?
- expelled from the party
* exiled
What is the outcome of the united opposition for Kamenev?
He loses his seat on the central committee
What are the outcomes of the united opposition for Zinoviev?
- lost position as head on Comintern
- expelled from party
- removed from politburo
When are Trotsky and Zinoviev expelled from the party?
December 1927
Who is expelled from the party in December 1927?
Trotsky and Zinoviev
Where is Trotsky exiled to?
First to Alma Ata in Kazakhstan and then to Turkey
What issue where the right opposition concerned with?
The treatment of the peasants
Who was in the right opposition?
Bukharin, Tomsky and Rykov
What happened to Tomsky after being invoked in the right opposition?
- replaced as leader of trade unions
* not re-elected to politburo
What happens to Bukharin after opposing Stalin from the right?
- forced to resign as editor of Pravda
* expelled from central committee
What happened to rykov after opposing Stalin from the right?
Expelled from the central committee
Strengths of Trotsky (4)
- intellectual and theorist
- key role in revolutions
- leadership skills (organisation)
- helped win civil war
Weaknesses of Trotsky (5)
- late convert to Bolshevism
- disliked by colleagues due to arrogance
- feared by party members (may seize power with red army)
- no base within party
- errors of judgment
Strengths of Stalin (5)
- general secretary of the party
- theorist
- understood opponents
- close to Lenin at time of his death
- triumvirate
Weaknesses of Stalin
- colleagues saw him as cruel and violent
- played minor rule in revolutions
- Lenin turned against him
Strengths of Kamenev (3)
- an old Bolshevik
- power base in Moscow
- thoughtful and intelligent (could soothe disputes among colleagues)
Weaknesses of Kamenev (4)
- flip flipper
- linked to Zinoviev who was more popular
- lacked drive and ambition
- underestimated enemies
Strengths of Zinoviev (4)
- old Bolshevik
- in Lenins favour
- party boss in Leningrad
- member of politburo and spokesperson for the central committee
Weaknesses of Zinoviev (3)
- opposed coup in October
- underestimated rivals
- late to go against Stalin
Strengths of Bukharin (3)
- popular within party
- best theoretician
- expert in economics and agriculture
Weaknesses of Bukharin (2)
- tactical mistakes
* no power base
Strengths of Rykov (3)
- respected
- administrative ability
- support from savnarkom
Weaknesses of Rykov (3)
- argued with Lenin
- overshadowed by Bukharin
- lacked power base
Strengths of Tomsky (3)
- old Bolshevik
- general secretary of trage unions
- ally of moderates
Weaknesses of Tomsky (3)
- handed power to Stalin by helping him purge the left
- targeted by Stalin
- supported NEP during grain crisis
