Stalins Defeat Of Trotsky And The Left

Question 1

How did Stalin oust Kamenev and Zinoviev?

Answer 1

. In response for calls for NEP to be abandoned Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinoviev formed the United opposition against Stalin and the right.
. Stalins’s control of the party machine proved critical in this situation.
. Stalin used the ban on Factionalism to isolate Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinoviev and as a result was able to remove them from the picture.

Question 2

How did Stalin manage to oust Trotsky?

Answer 2

. Trotsky failed to question Stalin on the suppressant of Lenin’s testament, which if released would have painted Stalin in a very bad picture.

. Trotsky failed to turn up for Lenin’s funeral, a sign to many that he was not loyal and close to Lenin.

. Trotsky believed he was above politics and as a result made no effort to gain support from members. He openly attacked the bureaucracy, corruption and patronage of the party and so lost support