The Power Vacuum and Struggle Flashcards
In Marxist-Leninist ideology, what was leadership supposed to be?
Collective Leadership. There shouldn’t be any dominating figure, which is odd because Lenin proved to be quite a forceful leave himself.
Did Lenin elect a successor before his death?
No, that’s why there was a power vacuum.
Lenin’s dictational style of leadership led to which belief amongst the Bolshevik Party.
That the Party could never be wrong. Lenin refused to admit he’d made mistakes.
Why did the 1921 Ban on Factions prove to be a problem after Lenin’s death?
Some Bolsheviks wanted Party Democracy, whereas others wanted an authority figure who could command obedience and loyalty.
Which big questions did the Bolsheviks face after Lenin’s death?
LEF = Leadership, Economic Direction and Foreign Relations
What was the Triumvirate?
Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin.
Who did the Triumvirate dislike?
Trotsky. They did not want him to become the next leader.
Why did Stalin ally with Zinoviev and Kamenev?
Because, as General Secretary, he was disliked and unpopular amongst the Party. He needed support to push his way through other contenders, so he buddied up with two old Bolsheviks: Zinoviev and Kamenev.
Who, apart from Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin, disliked the left?
Bukharin.
What was Lenin’s Testament? What did it speak of?
In the last year of his life, Lenin dictated a Testament. Speaking was difficult for him, so it took time. The Testament spoke of future ambitions and challenges of the Bolshevik Party. It harshly criticised his colleagues.
Which 5 of Stalin’s colleagues did his testament focus on?
Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev, Bukharin and it was particularly harsh about Stalin.
What did Stalin do in Georgia when he was Commissar of Nationalities during the Civil War? This is what pissed Lenin off.
Stalin lied and said that a mass uprising in Georgia, supported by the Georgian people, led to the Bolsheviks seizing control from the Mensheviks. However it turns out he’d just crushed Georgian independence using brute force.
He also insulted Lenin’s wife.
What was the main problem with Lenin’s Testament?
It did not specify who Lenin wished to succeed him as leader of the Party. Could it be that he was hinting at collective leadership? If so, he did not make this clear.
Who persuaded the Politburo not to publish Lenin’s Testament?
Stalin, Kamenev and Zinoviev. They were bitter because they’d been heavily criticised.
