Russia: DP2 - the power struggle between Stalin, Trotsky and other leading Bolshevik figures in the 1920’s

Question 1

Summary

Answer 1

Lenin’s ill health led to the decline of his role in the Communist Party, allowing for members like Stalin to grow influence and power. Lenin’s death in 1924 left a power vacuum which sparked competition for leadership, the struggle that was to come addressed the direction for the party and the aftermath of the revolution, initially the Politburo members vowed to act in collective leadership. Stalin’s political and administrative talents ensured he emerged as the leader out of the fierce leadership struggle.

Question 2

Details of Trotsky’s personality faults and ideological values and their significance towards the power struggle

Answer 2

• Historian Lynch: Trotsky’s personal failings impacted his attempts to ultimately secure power and “serious weaknesses undermined his success”
• Arrogant and rude individual
• Wrong date to Lenin’s funeral
• Permanent Revolution wasn’t adapted to the social climate post C.W.
• 14th Party Congress of 1925 supported “Socialism in one country”, Trotsky was forced to resign as Commissar for War.
• Trotsky alienated and outmanoeuvred

Question 3

The attack on the left details

Answer 3

•Troika (Z, K, S) blocked Trotsky claiming his disloyalty as he was an ex-Menshevik

Question 4

Scissor Crisis (1923) details

Answer 4

• Grain + livestock approached pre WW1 levels, industrialisation required capital, expertise and infrastructure
• Agricultural prices > halved, manufactured goods rose to scarcity, >3x between 1913-1925
• 1923 Party Congress, Stalin persuaded delegates to support troika

Question 5

Cult of Lenin details

Answer 5

•Stalin misrepresented Lenin to gain support.
•Stalin created the cult of Lenin: erecting a mausoleum, Petrograd became Leningrad, speeches on Lenin’s ideology
People thought Stalin would continue the doctrine of Lenin
•Stalin was chief mourner at Lenin’s funeral, appeared to carry on his work
•S. suppressed Lenin’s “Testament” keeping the illusion alive

Question 6

The NEP and the peasants

Answer 6

• Stalin and Bukharin targeted T, Z and K over the NEP: Z, K and T argue it was a temporary measure while S and B argued long term preservation
• Party meeting 1927: Stalin denounced Z, K and T as anti-Leninist + accused them of factionalism + attempting to undermine the unity of the party. They were expelled, Z and K reemitted for acknowledging errors

Question 7

Attack on the right details

Answer 7

• Stalin and Bukharin targeted Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev over the NEP: Zinoviev, Kamenev and Trotsky argue it was a temporary measure while Stalin and Bukharin argued long term preservation
• Party meeting 1927: Stalin denounced Zinoviev, Kamenev and Trotsky as anti-Leninist + accused them of factionalism + attempting to undermine the unity of the party. They were expelled, Zinoviev and Kamenev reemitted for acknowledging errors.
• Stalin disagreed with Bukharin during the procurement crisis (1927), confiscating peasant produce
• With the left wing removed, Stalin sided with B to eliminate the kulaks, further isolating the right-wing faction.
• Stalin manipulated the vote, in 1929 the right wing was defeated, and Bukharin dismissed

Question 8

Further events

Answer 8

• Trotsky banished (1929)
• Nomenklatura in the 20’s
• By 1928, Party purged of Stalin’s political opponents

Question 9

Concluding statement

Answer 9

Stalin’s success in the power struggle was due to his political genius and ability to manipulate as well as mistakes his Bolshevik rivals made. He continually sidelined opponents and manipulated them.

Question 10

Historian Lynch

Answer 10

Trotsky’s personal failings impacted his attempts to ultimately secure power and “serious weaknesses undermined his success”

Remember: Trotsky was lynched (hung)