Stalin’s rise to power Flashcards
What was meant to follow Lenin’s death?
A period of collective leadership, this was unlikely to last long owing to disputes over policy and a clash of personalities.
Why did Stalin have an advantage over other leading Bolsheviks?
He had used his position as general secretary of the CPSU to promote officials loyal to him. He held positions in the orgburo, politburo and secretariat.
When did splits first begin to emerge?
Trotsky and the left opposition attacked bureaucracy within the party, saying that it was destroying the party and the economy.
What did Trotsky want?
Permanent revolution, the idea that the ussr should commit itself to spreading revolution.
What did Stalin want?
Socialism in one country, the ussr should focus on building socialism within its own boarders. His ideas were more popular then Trotsky’s.
What did the left opposition want and who were they?
Trotsky, zinoviev and kamenev, they wanted to abandon the NEP and start rapid industrialization.
What did the right opposition want and who were they?
Continuation of the NEP and slow industrialization. Bukharin and rykov, Stalin initially sided with them.
What resolution did stalin have passed at the 15th party conference in 1926?
It said that Leninism was socialism in one country and anyone who opposed this idea was attempting to create a faction. Kamenev, zinoviev and Trotsky were removed from their CPSU posts.
What did Stalin do in 1928?
Went against the ideas of the right opposition and introduced policies for industrialization and the rapid collectivization of agriculture. There was little Bukharin and rykov could do even though they opposed this.
Which two positions had been crucial to Stalin gaining power?
- Commissar for nationalities- allowed him to appoint officials outside of the Russian Republic. 2. General secretary- allowed him to appoint loyal personal to key party positions, these men owed their careers to stalin and this support allowed him to outmaneuver and outvote opposition. This position was unpopular with other Bolsheviks as it was seen as bureaucratic, but Stalin used it to his advantage.
