Powerbases

Question 1

How was someone going to become Party Leader?

Answer 1

• contender needed the support of the majority of the Politburo
• also importantly needed support from the party congress - elected the central committee which elected the politburo

Question 2

What position did all the contenders hold?

Answer 2

members of the Politburo

Question 3

What positions did Stalin hold?

Answer 3

General Secretary: 
- controlled Politburo agenda 
- Selected delegates for the Party Congress 
Head of Rabkrin:
- controlled party discipline

Question 4

How significant were Stalins positions?

Answer 4

• He could influence what was discussed at Politburo meetings
• He could fill the party congress with his supporters
• Had the power to reward those who were loyal to him

Question 5

What positions did Trotsky hold?

Answer 5

Head of the red army

Question 6

How significant were Trotsky’s positions?

Answer 6

• Seen as a threat - Party members thought he might use the army to seize power
• Gained loyalty of members of the army - some were also members of the party
• However - many members of the army were not members of the party and therefore could not attend the party congress

Question 7

What positions did Bukharin hold?

Answer 7

• Head of media, editor of Pravda

Question 8

How significant were Bukharin’s positions?

Answer 8

• could publish own views and criticise views of others

- considering Russian population had no say party election - control of media useless

Question 9

What positions did Zinoviev hold?

Answer 9

Head of Petrograd party

Question 10

How significant were Zinoviev’s positions?

Answer 10

had loyalty of large section of the party

Question 11

What positions did Kamenev hold?

Answer 11

Head of Moscow party

Question 12

How significant were Kamenev’s positions?

Answer 12

had loyalty of large section of the party

Question 13

What did Stalin start doing in 1923 that slowly increased his power over important decisions?

Answer 13

• appointed approx. 30% of delegates to party congress
• figure grew every year - gave him more power
• people failed to realise significance of Stalins position until it was too late

Question 14

What was the problem for Trotsky of being head of Red Army?

Answer 14

• his role in reality commanded little power

- role made him appear threatening to many in party

Question 15

Why was Stalins position much more important than other contenders?

Answer 15

• power of patronage extended throughout party - could undermine opponents even within their own power bases