Stalin's Rise - Ideology and Change Flashcards
What was Lenin’s ‘the Testament’?
A letter to be read to the Politburo upon his death. He gave critical opinions on other members, including Kamenev, Bukharin and Trotsky.
Who did Lenin particularly criticise in the Testament?
Stalin partly because of the Georgian Affair and partly because he insulted Lenin’s wife. Lenin suggested Stalin should be removed from his post.
Why was the Testament never publicly read?
It incriminated all members of the Politburo so they collectively decided against it, however this played into Stalins hands.
How was Trotsky a leadership candidate?
Organised the Oct Rev, created Red Army, civil war hero and Sovnarkom member, regarded by Lenin as the ‘most able’. Believed in permanent revolution.
How was Stalin a leadership candidate?
Old Bolshevik but not a senior member until 1912, member of Sovnarkom, Politburo, Orgburo and Secretariat. General Secretary.
How was Kamenev a leadership candidate?
Old Bolshevik and close with Lenin, had opposed timing of Oct Rev and headed the Moscow Soviet so had a powerbase there.
What happened in Stage 1 of the leadership struggle 22-24?
The Triumvirate is formed, ZKS against Trotsky.
At 12th Party Congress, a 40 member CC elected, only 3 favour T.
Lenin dies and Stalin gives Trotsky the wrong funeral date.
What happened in Stage 2 of the leadership struggle 24-27?
Krupskaya released testament.
Trotsky published Lessons of October, criticises ZK
Trotsky removed from Commissar of War
14th P Congress, Stalin supports Bukharin - RW defeat ZK and Z has to step down from Leningrad post.
United Opposition formed - Z&T expelled, K removed from CC.
What happened in Stage 3 of the leadership struggle 27-29?
T deported to Chinese border.
S announced LW economic strategy, Bukharin tries to form an alliance with T but is accused of factionalism.
Trotsky deported agian
Bukharin, Rykov and Tomsky removed from Politburo.
How was Stalin’s opportunistic personality shown in the NEP debate?
The left, ZKT wanted to abandon NEP, the right with BRT wanted to continue it. Stalin moved back and forth dependant on whose support he needed at the time.
How did Trotsky differ in their approach t socialism?
Trotsky - ‘permanent revolution’ throughout Europe until a true socialist society was created.
Stalin - ‘socialism in one country’ so a ‘workers paradise’ should be constructed in the Soviet Union an other countries follow the example.
How was the leadership itself an ideological issue?
Marx had not envisaged a single leader, and some party members wanted to abandon a single leader. They argued this was necessary in CW but not anymore. They sought collective control, and was advanced mostly by those who feared Trotsky’s dominance - worked to Stalins advantage
