Power Vacuum and power struggle Flashcards
How was the party in theory supposed to be controlled?
through collective leadership
When was Stalin made General Secretary of the Party?
April 1922
Who was in the Triumvirate, formed in May 1922
Stalin, Kamenev and Zinoviev
When was Lenin’s testament suppressed at the Party Congress
May 1924
What had Lenin introduced to dispell democracy?
the 1921 Ban on factions
What had replaced the ‘power to the soviet’ idea by 1924?
a centralised control from the party
What was a key issue with Leninist government by 1924?
had created a huge state bureauceracy, carrying out orderse from superiors
When did Lenin write his 600-word testament?
December 1922
What changes did he propose to the Central Committee?
double the members from 50 to 100
Who did Lenin’s testament criticise?
everyone in the party - especially Stalin.
Why did Lenin treat Stalin harshly?
Because he had been rude to Lenin’s wife - used brute force to supress Georgian independence
Who did Lenin endorse as his successor?
Nobody
Who wanted Lenin’s testament to be read at the Twelfth party congress?
Lenin’s wife - Nadezhda Krupskaya
Who didn’t want Lenin’s testament to be read out?
Kamenev, Zinoviev and Stalin - as well as Trotsky
Who initially seemed like the most likely person to succeed Lenin?
Trotsky - he played key roles in Bolshevik seizure of power and the Civil War
What was the Triumvirate’s main goal?
to block Trotsky’s rise to power
Who joined the left in 1924-25, to combat Stalin?
Zinoviev and Kamenev
Who joined Stalin after the Triumvirate fell apart?
Bukharin - Stalin resented him due to his popularity
Who opposed Bukharin?
Rykov and Tomsky
What are the key strengths of Stalin?
General Secretary - could appoint supporters to key roles in the Party,
underestimated by opponents,
Placed himself close to Stalin,
Didn’t seem like a threat
What was Stalin’s weaknesses?
Not prominent in Oct/Nov revolution or Civil War,
Seen as rude, crude and illeducated.
Seen as ‘a grey blur’
Others knew he’d fallen from Lenin’s favour
What was Trotsky’s strengths?
Recognised as hero for Oct/Nov Rev + MRC.
War hero for Civil War
inspirational speaker and intellectual
known for formidable political skills
Was was Trotsky’s weaknesses?
Arrogant and dismissive of less smart people,
indecisive and inconsistent,
feared by many Bolsheviks,
Didn’t try to build follower base,
Strengths of Zinoviev?
An ‘Old Bolshevik’ - Lenin’s closest and most trusted assistant,
Had a strong Leningrad powerbase,
one of best speechmakers
Weaknesses of Zinoviev?
opposed Lenin in Oct 1917 - briefly left party
vain and unpredictable
Underestimated Stalin.
Strengths of Kamenev?
‘Old Bolshevik’ - close to Lenin,
Strong power base in Moscow,
Effective team player.
Weaknesses of Kamenev?
Opposed Lenin in Oct 1917,
Viewed as Zinoviev side-kick
underestimated opponents
Bukharin strengths?
Popular in party,
regared as best theoretician,
expert on economics and agriculture
Bukharin weaknesses?
Cooperative - avoided in-fighting,
popularity made him target
underestimated Stalin,
Rykov Strength?
‘Old Bolshevik’
Good administrator
supported by Sovnarkom - Deputy Chairman 1923, Chairman 1924
Rykov weaknesses?
taxation on vodka unpopular,
opposed Lenin over timing of revolution,
Lacked power base
Tomsky strengths?
respected in party as ‘Old Bolshevik’
Strong support base
Natural ally of moderates
Tomsky weaknesses?
Hated Trotsky - couldn’t see Stalin threat
power base in trade union - Stalin resentment
support for NEP used against him - 1927 grain crisis
