Stalin in power - early years.

Question 1

What did Stalin portray Trotsky as?

Answer 1

Someone who wanted to damage in one country.

Question 2

Socialism in one country - what was it?

Answer 2

1) The priority was Russia. They needed to consolidate the Communist revolution there first.
2) Modernise the USSR so it can defend itself (so it was equal to other nations). They wanted to catch up with the West and build their own weapons, so that they could defend themselves.
3) it was important to solve the industrial and agricultural in the USSR, unaided.
4) Survival of revolution in USSR was the top priority before spreading communism/socialism.

Question 3

What were some of the positivives of ‘Socialism in one country’?

Answer 3

• Long standing problems have been addressed. Sounds very optimistic: he’s found a problem, he’s creating a solution.
• Patriotic: the focus was on Russia before anything else. This was not very Communist, but Nationalism/Patriotism was a very appealing concept and something people were used to.

Question 4

What were some of the negatives of ‘socialism in one country’?

Answer 4

• It wasn’t strictly Marxist as an idea. According to Marx, Communism should be spread to other countries, so should Stalin be promoting this?
• Left Wing Bolsheviks might oppose this ideaology because it was not strictly Marxist. They want to promote communism everywhere and spread revolution.

Question 5

What was Trotsky’s ‘Permanent Revolution’ idea?

Answer 5

• This was the belief that Revolution was a continuous process - risings take place in one country after another - a Marxist idea.
• October revoltuon 1917 was the step to worldwide revolution.
• Individual nations didn’t matter. The international community of the working class did.
• True revolution in the USSR was only possible if the revolution spread.

Question 6

What were some of the positives of ‘Permanent Revolution’?

Answer 6

• It was more Marxist than Stalin’s idea.
• It was easier for Communism to survive on the long term as it is spread to the surrounding nations.

Question 7

What were some of the negatives of ‘Permanent Revolution’?

Answer 7

• Stalin’s idea was practical and bringing attention to the problems in the country. Perm Rev wasn’t practical.
• It wasn’t appealing at it referred to other countries. All neighbouring countries were capitalist/hostile and revolution to them didn’t seem appealing.

Question 8

There were other (failed) Communist uprisings in other countries - what were they?

Answer 8

• Germany - Spartacist uprising.
• Hungary.
• Russo-Polish war 1920-1921.

Question 9

Why couldn’t Russia borrow money?

Answer 9

• Foreign nations didn’t trust the USSR.
• When Lenin came to power, he said he would not repay the debts Russia owed to other nations.

Question 10

What did different sides of the party think about NEP?

Answer 10

• Left Wing wanted it gone ASAP.
• Right Wing thought it should go on a little longer, but temporarily.

Question 11

What did both sides of the party agree on?

Answer 11

Both the Left and Right side of the Party agreed that the most practical way of financing industrialisation was using the peasants and agriculture.

Question 12

But both sides of the Party disagreed on methods!

Answer 12

• The Left (Trotsky) wanted to FORCE the peasants to produce more grain.
• The Right (Bukharin, Rykov, Tomsky) thought it would be better to PERSUADE the peasants to produce more grain via payment - NEP paid them!

Question 13

Did Trotsky and Stalin back Lenin on NEP?

Answer 13

• Trotsky did, but rumour said he was reluctant.
• Stalin’s position on NEP was not clear, but he did suppport Lenin in the introduction of it in 1921, showing his loyalty.

Question 14

Stalin wanted to establish a ‘war economy’.

Answer 14

He wanted to make war on backwardness, class enmies and to prepare for war against capitalist enemies.

Question 15

What was public response to Stalin’s FYPs?

Answer 15

It was genuinely hopeful and ethusiastic for a better communist future, where urban workers hoped for better employment prospects and higher living standards.

Question 16

Were there negative responses to FYPs?

Answer 16

There was some pessimism. Some people saw the kulaks as the backbone of the agricultural backbone of the industry. They were worried that the harsh policies would actually result in less production of food. Criticism from those who managed industrial production stemmed from not believing that a new emphasis on central planning would not be the solution to the problems of industry.