Stalin's Rise to Power and Dictatorship (1924-1939)

Question 1

What impaired Lenin’s ability to work after 1922?

Answer 1

A series of strokes.

Question 2

When did Lenin suffer a series of strokes which impaired his ability to work?

Answer 2

From 1922 onwards

Question 3

What happen to Lenin in 1922 which affected his ability to work?

Answer 3

A series a strokes.

Question 4

At which stage in Lenin’s life/career did the Politburo agree to act as a collective leadership?

Answer 4

During his illness and after his death.

Question 5

What caused the Politburo to act as a collective leadership?

Answer 5

Lenin’s illness (strokes) and death.

Question 6

When did the Politburo act as a collective leadership over Russia?

Answer 6

During’s Lenin’s sickness and after his death in 1924.

Question 7

How early did a succession struggle begin?

Answer 7

As early as 1923.

Question 8

Who formed a triumvirate against Trotsky in 1923?

Answer 8

Stalin, Zinoviev and Kamenev

Question 9

Who were Stalin, Zinoviev and Kamenev politically positioned against?

Answer 9

Trotsky

Question 10

Who were the 5 Politburo members who had a reasonable chance of succession?

Answer 10

Trotsky, Stalin, Bukharin, Kamenev, Zinoviev

Question 11

Who were the two MINOR contenders involved in succeeding Lenin?

Answer 11

Rykov and Tomsky

Question 12

What 3 things did the contenders believe proved their right to succession?

Answer 12

(1) Their revolutionary record, (2) their relationship with Lenin and (3) appeal within the party.

Question 13

Who was the obvious candidate for Lenin’s successor?

Answer 13

Trotsky.

Question 14

Was Stalin the obvious choice for Lenin’s successor?

Answer 14

No.

Question 15

What were Trotsky’s positive attributes?

Answer 15

An outstanding writer and orator, a war hero, worked closely with Lenin on many policies.

Question 16

What were Trotsky’s negative attributes?

Answer 16

Arrogant, a Jew, a Menshevik until July 1917 and refused to fight for leadership.

Question 17

What were Zinoviev’s positive attributes?

Answer 17

A Bolshevik since 1905 and was close to Lenin.

Question 18

What were Zinoviev’s negative attributes?

Answer 18

Criticised Lenin during the October Revolution and favoured socialist coalition. Given an unwanted position as Party Head in Leningrad. Lacked intellectual credentials and disliked by many.

Question 19

What were Kamenev’s positive attributes?

Answer 19

Collaborator of Lenin since 1905. An intellectual who could debate Lenin. Well liked in Politburo and in the Party. Had power base in Moscow.

Question 20

What were Kamenev’s negative attributes?

Answer 20

Opposed April Thesis and agreed with Zinoviev during Oct ‘17. Given an unwanted position as Party Secretary of Moscow. Lacked strong will.

Question 21

What were Bukharin’s positive attributes?

Answer 21

Great theorist and policy-maker. Thought beyond Marxism. A favourite of Lenin who saw him as the party’s favourite. Very popular. Could debate Lenin/

Question 22

What were Bukharin’s negative attributes?

Answer 22

Lacked political cunning. Perhaps too inexperienced. Debated Lenin on Brest-Litovsk Treaty.

Question 23

What were Rykov’s positive attributes?

Answer 23

High position as Chairman of Sovnarkom.

Question 24

What were Rykov’s negative attributes?

Answer 24

Not popular.

Question 25

What were Tomsky's positive attributes?

Answer 25

Had power base as important figure in the trade union movement.

Question 26

What did Lenin's final testament clearly state for successor leadership?

Answer 26

The Soviet Union to be run by a collective leadership.

Question 27

Was there ever a collective leadership as Lenin wished?

Answer 27

Yes, for a short time. Divisions in Politburo caused alliances to form.

Question 28

What three main issues divided the Politburo?

Answer 28

(1) Nature of leadership, (2) NEP and Industrialisation and (3) Perm. Revol. VS Socialism

Question 29

Who stood to the LEFT of the three main issues which divided the Politburo?

Answer 29

Trotsky, Kamenev and ZInoviev

Question 30

Who stood to the RIGHT of the three main issues which divided the Politburo?

Answer 30

Bukharin, Rykov and Tomsky

Question 31

Between which years were Party congresses held to debate the issues which divided the Politburo (Post-Lenin)?

Answer 31

1924-1929

Question 32

What did the Party debate between 1924-1929?

Answer 32

(1) Nature of leadership (2) NEP and industrialisation (3) Perm. Rev VS Socialism

Question 33

Who won more votes after speeches in congress? Why?

Answer 33

Stalin, due to his large power base.

Question 34

At which stage was Stalin's position at its weakest?

Answer 34

The days after Lenin's death.

Question 35

What did Lenin's testament openly criticise Stalin for?

Answer 35

For being 'too rude': an edit he made to his testament after Stalin's disrespectful call to Lenin's wife. For him to be removed from his post as General Secretary as he was 'too powerful'.

Question 36

Why did Lenin call Stalin 'too rude' in an edit of his last testament?

Answer 36

Due to Stalin's disrespectful call to Lenin's wife.

Question 37

What happened to the edit of Lenin's testament in which he criticises Stalin?

Answer 37

Stalin did not read it to the party.

Question 38

Who supported Stalin's disobedience to Lenin's last wishes? Why?

Answer 38

Kamenev and Zinoviev who Lenin criticised for Oct Rev. opposition

Question 39

What did Stalin do as orator of Lenin's funeral?

Answer 39

He exploited the funeral for his own benefit and announced himself successor whilst Trotsky was absent.

Question 40

Why was Trotsky absent from Lenin's funeral?

Answer 40

Trotsky was either recovering from sickness and purposefully given the wrong date by Stalin or he made no effort to arrive.

Question 41

What were Stalin's positive attributes?

Answer 41

Bolshevik since 1912, member of the original Central Committee. Took on jobs no one wanted - gained power, modest and was relied on by Lenin in his later years

Question 42

What were Stalin's negative attributes?

Answer 42

A mundane and mediocre reputation of disobedience. Extremely paranoid and trusted no-one.

Question 43

What mundane jobs did Stalin take on?

Answer 43

(1) Commissar for Nationalities (2) Liaison Officer of Politburo/Orgburo (3) Head of the Workers' and Peasants' Inspectorate (Rabkrin) (4) General Secretary of the Central Committee

Question 44

What did Stalin do as Head of Rabkrin?

Answer 44

Oversaw all government departments.

Question 45

When did Stalin become General Secretary (Central Committee)?

Answer 45

1922

Question 46

Which government position allowed Stalin to rise to power?

Answer 46

His time as General Secretary for the Central Committee from 1922.

Question 47

Who was the only Orgburo member on the Politburo?

Answer 47

Stalin

Question 48

As the only member of both the Orgburo and Politburo, what could Stalin do?

Answer 48

Promote friends and dismiss opponents.

Question 49

What was the Lenin enrolment?

Answer 49

Between '23 and '25, the party increased number of proletarian members.

Question 50

How many provincial officials were appointed during 1922?

Answer 50

10,000, most of which were recommended by Stalin himself.

Question 51

Who was responsible for vetting new members of the party by 1922?

Answer 51

The Secretariat, working directly under Stalin.

Question 52

What did Stalin do as General Secretary of the Central Committee?

Answer 52

Built personal files on all members of the party. Recorded party policy.

Question 53

What did the triumvirate do to Trotsky?

Answer 53

Began a smear campaign on the basis of his Jewishness and arrogance, a leader who cared more about Europe than Russia.

Question 54

When did the Stalin-Trotsky rivalry begin?

Answer 54

During the Russian civil war (1912-'23) when Stalin disobeyed Trotsky. Trotsky lacked a genuine following and failed to build a power base.

Question 55

What did Stalin do at the 1925 Party Congress?

Answer 55

Turned against Zinoviev and Kamenev by supporting the Right policy of continuing the NEP. Won the support of Bukharin and the Right.

Question 56

How was Stalin able to accuse Zinoviev and Kamenev of factionalism?

Answer 56

In 1925, after Stalin turned against them, Kamenev and Zinoviev asked for Trotsky to promote their Left policies. Appeal to the workers to end NEP failed.

Question 57

Who was removed from their positions and expelled from the party in 1927?

Answer 57

Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinoviev

Question 58

When were Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinoviev expelled from the party?

Answer 58

1927

Question 59

After jumping to the Right, when did Stalin turn against them and the NEP?

Answer 59

1928

Question 60

What did Stalin do to the Right in 1928?

Answer 60

Turned against them and advocated for the end of NEP and rapid industrialisation.

Question 61

Who tried to defend the NEP in a 1929 conference?

Answer 61

Bukharin, who was later outvoted.

Question 62

What did Bukharin try to do at a 1929 conference?

Answer 62

Defend the NEP, but was outvoted.

Question 63

How did Stalin emerge as an undisputed leader by 1929?

Answer 63

Turned against and defeated both the Left and the Right and so there was no opposition left.

Question 64

When was the first national party purge?

Answer 64

1921

Question 65

What were Party purges?

Answer 65

A form of reviews of all party members. A judgement of loyalty, competence, background and connections. If unworthy, a member was expelled from the party.

Question 66

Who said, "We have internal enemies. We have external enemies. We cannot forget this for a moment"?

Answer 66

Stalin

Question 67

When did the Ryutin affair take place?

Answer 67

1932

Question 68

What did former Bolshevik, Ryutin do to cause the Ryutin affair?

Answer 68

Openly criticised Stalin. Him and his supporters were expelled from the party.

Question 69

Between 1933-34, how many members were expelled for being 'Ryunites'?

Answer 69

Almost 1 million (1/3 of the party).

Question 70

Which bodies did Stalin centralise into the NKVD during 1934?

Answer 70

(1) Civilian Police (2) Secret Police (3) Labour Camp Commandants/Guards (4) Border/Security Guards

Question 71

What was the NKVD?

Answer 71

People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs

Question 72

When was the NKVD formed?

Answer 72

10 July 1934

Question 73

Who did the NKVD answer directly to?

Answer 73

Stalin himself.

Question 74

Who dealt with 'serious' crimes within the NKVD? What did they handle?

Answer 74

A special military court. Any 'anti-revolutionary activity'.

Question 75

What happened at the 17th Party Congress, Jan 1934?

Answer 75

A split occurred between leaders. Sergei Kirov wanted to slow down industrialisation and improve worker conditions. Stalin wanted to continue industr. Kirov secured more votes.

Question 76

Why did Stalin's position seem less secure at the beginning of 1934.

Answer 76

He was outvoted by Kirov on industr. matters.

Question 77

What happened to Kirov in late 1934.

Answer 77

He was murdered and used as an example for later purges.

Question 78

Which three major party members were arrested on weak claims?

Answer 78

Bukharin, Zinoviev and Kamenev

Question 79

What did Bukharin, Zinoviev and Kamenev confess to during their show trials?

Answer 79

(1) Spying for foreign powers (2) Being counter-revolutionaries (3) Being complicit in Kirov's murder (4) Plotting Stalin's murder

Question 80

Who was the only remaining original 1919 politburo member by 1934?

Answer 80

Stalin. All others had been purged.

Question 81

What period do the 'Post-Kirov' purges take place?

Answer 81

1934-1936

Question 82

When did 'The Great Purge' take place?

Answer 82

1936-1939

Question 83

By which year did Stalin achieve absolute power over the party?

Answer 83

1936

Question 84

What was 'The Great Purge'?

Answer 84

A period between '36-'39 when Stalin targeted the party, armed forces and general population. He inflicted mass terror.

Question 85

What was the damage caused by a mass purge on the army, inflicted by Stalin?

Answer 85

11 war Commissars and 3 of 5 Marshals removed. 75 of 80 in the Supreme Military Council shot. 35,000 officers imprisoned/shot.

Question 86

By the mid 1930s, how many people had been arrested in these purges.

Answer 86

1 in every 8