Stalin and His Rivals for Power in the 1920s

Question 1

Pros/cons Stalin as leader

Answer 1

• +Control over key appointments. Presented as true follower of Lenin. Pragmatism and willingness to align with different factions
• -Bad orator, lacked intelligence. Relied on manipulation/coercion (distrust). Ruthless purges alienated many

Question 2

Pros/cons Trotsky as leader

Answer 2

• +charasmatic/intellectual. Military genius, inspired loyalty. Leadership during rev and intellectual contribution. Visions aligned with Lenin’s economic policies
• -Abrasive/elitist attitude alienated many. Too intellectual/disconnected for daily concerns of peasants/workers. Failure to form effective alliance

Question 3

Pros/cons Zinoviev as leader

Answer 3

• +experienced revolutionary. Close ally of Lenin. Years of service in rev: credibility. Skilled speaker, astute political strategist
• -Lacked compelling economic/ideological vision. More pragmatic than visionary. Allied with different factions: unreliable

Question 4

Pros/cons Kamenev as leader

Answer 4

• +Skilled politician. Key role in October rev. Deep ties to Lenin. Moderate figure, bridged gaps between factions
• -Early opposition to October rev. Moderate views and willingness: weak. Indecisive, lacked political cunning

Question 5

Pros/cons Bukharin as leader

Answer 5

• +Influential intellectual. Economic vision with continued use of NEP appealed to peasants. Charm/optimism/intellect
• -NEP support conflicted with growing call for rapid collectivisation. Moderate policies out of step with Stalin. Lacked political manoeuvring

Question 6

Pros/cons Rykov as leader

Answer 6

• +Experienced administrator. Vital in stabilising economy after civil war. Support for NEP appealed to peasants
• -Lacked charisma/ideological depth to build base of support. Moderate views of economic policy out of step with Stalin. Lack of strong political faction left him vulnerable