Reasons for Stalins rise to power

Question 1

Lenin’s last testament

Answer 1

• Lenin said was dangerous and too powerful needed to be removed from the general secretary
• Lenin stated that Trotsky was a better alternative but was arrogant
• also criticised Kamenev and Zinoviev & Bukharin
• Since Lenin criticised all 5 men who hoped to succeed him they were willing to bury the testament
• Fact that the other men agreed to supress Stalin’s side of the testament showed a loss of opportunity to use Lenin’s work against him instead playing into Stalin’s hands

Question 2

Lenin’s funeral

Answer 2

• Stalin made sure he delivered a speech including lots of Lenin sayings/quotes
• Stalin presented himself at the front of the service as well as photographs of Lenin lying in state
• manipulated his speech stating how much he loved Lenin showing what a true disciple of him he was expressing loyalty
• Trotsky doesn’t attend funeral making people think he isn’t loyal to Lenin not caring for his ideology etc so not deserving position as his. successor

Question 3

Stalin’s character

Answer 3

• manipulative: making him ruthless politician being able to control people and the situation
• intelligent, schemer - identified that Trotsky as biggest threat so created triumvirate with Kamenev and Zinoviev to remove Trotsky from running

Question 4

Stalin’s position in Bolsh Party

Answer 4

• commissar of nationalities: involved with networking , building alliances and support.
• Liason officer between politburne and orgburo: hes able to monitor party personnel enabling him to manipulate it
• General secretary of communist party: Gave him access to personal files of all all party members allowing him to understand their weaknesses and appointing people in position within the party establishing a group of strong support (loyal)

Question 5

Stalin’s tactics

Answer 5

• Following Lenin’s death, Trotsky starts to question NEP whereas Stalin didn’t share his views and staying In the background
• he also argued socialism in one could try and that working together to solidify communism in Russia before trying too spread else well.

Question 6

Trotsky’s character

Answer 6

• Had amazing strength but huge flaws
• overly confident , arrogant , self assured
• loner (no alliances) - was a problem as no one could relate to him - didn’t form alliances which meant he had limited power and was secluded - vulnerable to attack
• was Jewish - many people anti sematic so some people were scared of him
• failed to attend Lenin’s funeral allowing people to see him as disloyal to him.
• UNDERESTIMATES Stalin

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Question 7

Trotsky’s position in the Bolsh party

Answer 7

• originally had been a Menshevik and only joined Bolsheviks in 1917 which many old Bolsh saw as evidence that he was ‘turn coat’
• seen as the biggest threat to old Bolsh i.e. Stalin, Bukharin , Kamenev and Zinoviev - creation of triumvirate that saw Trotsky as dangerous as of his army so could seize power.

Question 8

Trotsky’s tactics

Answer 8

• Trotsky decided to attack the bureaucratisation within Bolsh party writing lessons of October where he attacked K/Z - lead to them retaliating pointing out hi Menshevik origin and reminding people he was against NEP.
• Trotsky was a pure socialist vocalising his beliefs in permanent revolution wanting to spread communism across the world - by showing his views he is easier to attack and by putting himself forward makes him vulnerable
• Stalin stays in background at all times not getting involved

Question 9

Kamenev and Zinoviev

UNFINISHED

Answer 9

• They identified Trotsky as main threat so worked with Stalin to remove him

Question 10

Bukharin

Answer 10

• Stalin identified Bukharin as threat to his rise to power leader due to support of NEP and Lenin