Stalin In power Flashcards
What happened by 1928?
Cause of the purges
By 1928 Stalin undisputed leader of communist party
Expelled Trotsky
Placed Zinoviev under house arrest
Party still full of rival supporters thus paranoid
Stalins economics policies created chaos and Sergei Kirov, head of communist party in Leningrad emerged as popular figure
What was the extent of Stalins actions in response to threats?
What is great Terror?
Responded to the threats by launching the Great Terror, a campaign of arrests, torture, mass imprisonments, executions that finally removed his opponents by NVKD
Great Terror peaked at 1935 to 1938
responsible for death of 10M soviet citizens approx 10% of population
assassination of Sergei Kirov in 1934
What were the 2 political consequences of The Great Terror
Eliminated Stalins Old Rivals
Most public aspect was the Show Trials that took place in 1936 - 1938
- Humiliation and execution of Zinoviev Bukharin and Trotskys main supporters
- The Great Terror led to the execution of a whole generation of Communists who had known and worked with Lenin.
Hence Stalin was able to appoint a new generation of party leaders who were loyal to Stalin alone, owing their positions to him.
4 ways Stalin eliminate his opponents?
Who were his opponents
Stalin in struggle for power against Trotsky, Bukharin and Zinoviev
- Stalin had to establish that he was a true Leninist = changed nature of party by establishing a new ideological belief
- Established supremacy within the Politburo expelling rivals and filling it with his own supporters = under Lenin members free to debate
- Stalin used patronage as General Secretary to give well paid and powerful jobs to his supporters. As head of Rabkrin = power to investigate and if necessary sack party members. Loyalty guaranteed.
- established that Stalin had the right to use terror against anyone who was disloyal
Difference between Lenin’s and Stalins rule
Lenin allowed debate at the top of the party
Worked with a range of communists with different radical views, Trotsky and Bukharin
Stalin terrorised Communist Party
Ended Party rule
Under Stalin rule party had very limited authority
By 1935 party nor state can oppose him
What did Stalin form to ensure power
triumvirate a campaign against Trotsky teamed up with Zinoviev
How did Stalin maintain power until 1953?
use of terror and repression to suppress dissent.
Complete control of media
complete control of economy
purges of the Red Army removed any military threat to his power
placing his allies in key political positions and expanding prison and labour camps
Why did Stalin shift power from the party to the state?
- In 1938 the Politburo was the most senior committee in government
- By 1942, the State Defence Committee was the most powerful committee in government
To ensure he alone is in power
Made sure none of the senior committees grew to rival him
What was the last way Stalin held onto power?
LeninGrad Affair 1949 - purge of Leningrad part. Stalin was concerned Andrei Zhdanov created an independent powerbase. Following his death 100 of his supporters shot and 2,000 arrested
What happened 1953?
Stalins death
