The Power Vacuum and Power Struggle Flashcards
What, according to Marxist-Leninist ideology, should have happened after Lenin’s death?
There should have been collective leadership by a committee of equals. A single strong leader may have been justified in the Civil War but was no longer needed in 1924
What was the Triumvirate?
Formed in 1922-23 (before Lenin’s death but he had been incapacitated by a stroke) with Stalin, Kamenev and Zinoviev to block the ambitions of Trotsky
What was Lenin’s Testament?
It was a ‘political will’ setting out his view of future dangers. He was critical of all who might succeed him but particularly critical of Stalin. Finished in January 1923, meant to be read at the Party Congress after his death, however it was never published
What were the strengths of Stalin in the power struggle?
- held a crucial position as General Secretary when party bureaucracy was expanding rapidly
- mastered the theory of Marxism-Leninism
- underrated by opponents and good at concealing intentions
- deliberately placed himself close to Lenin before his death enabling him to claim he knew and understood what Lenin wanted
- fear of Trotsky allowed Stalin to join the Triumvirate alliance
What weaknesses did Stalin have in the power struggle?
- most colleagues saw him as crude and violent
- only played a minor role in the 1917 revolution so overshadowed by others like Trotsky
- Lenin’s Testament was not published but his colleagues knew Lenin turned against him
What were the strengths of Trotsky in the power struggle?
- brilliant intellectual and theorist and inspiring speechmaker
- energetic man of action during the revolution and civil war, second only to Lenin
- formidable political skills, ruthlessness, authority and organisational ability
What were Trotsky’s weaknesses in the power struggle?
- many Bolsheviks feared Trotsky, thought he might use his hold over the Red Army to seize power
- Trotsky was a Menshevik and a late convert to Bolshevism so ‘Old Bolsheviks’ were suspicious
- colleagues disliked his arrogance and disdain for those he thought less clever than him (underrated Stalin due to this)
- made no serious attempt to build a base of support in the party
- seen as inconsistent and an opportunist, e.g. opposed the Triumvirate but later allied with Kamenev and Zinoviev against Stalin
- indecisive and fell ill in critical moments
- made serious errors of judgement
What were Kamenev’s strengths in the power struggle?
- as an ‘Old Bolshevik’ he had great influence
- had a strong power base in Moscow where he ran the local party
- regarded as thoughtful and intelligent
What were Kamenev’s weaknesses?
- reputation for inconsistency and opportunism
- too closely linked to Zinoviev who was more popular
- many regarded him as too soft to be a sole leader
- underestimated rivals like Stalin
Who formed the Left opposition?
Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinoviev
What was the Duumvirate?
Close working partnership between Bukharin and Stalin. Bukharin supported Stalin against the Left opposition
What were Bukharin’s strengths?
- popular within the party, close to Lenin and friendly with Trotsky, also respected by Stalin
- best theoretician in the Party
- expert on economics and agriculture when debates about the peasantry were of major concern
What were Bukharin’s weaknesses?
- tried to remain on good terms with everyone and avoided factional in fighting so lacked a power base
- underestimated Stalin and was a target for Stalin due to his popularity
- made tactical mistakes like allying with Zinoviev and Kamenev too late
Who was part of the Right opposition?
Bukharin, Rykov, Tomsky
