The rule of Stalin Flashcards
What was the ideological divide between Trotsky and Stalin expressed as?
A clash between their opposing notions of ‘permanent revolution’ and ‘socialism in one country’
Trotsky’s politics were inspired by his belief in ‘permanent revolution’ which was made up of what key ideas?
- Revolution was not a single event
but a permanent (continuous)
process in which risings took place
from country to country. - Events in Russia since 1917 simply a
first step towards worldwide
revolution of the proletariat. - Individual nations did not matter.
Interests of the international
working class were permanent. - True revolutionary socialism could
be achieved in the USSR only if an
international uprising took place.
What did Trotsky believe was a problem with the vast peasant population and undeveloped proletariat?
- The USSR could not survive alone in
a hostile world. Russia would prove
incapable of holding its own against
conservative Europe. - He argued unless their was an
international revolution the soviet
union would go under.
Summarise Trotsky’s ‘Permanent revolution’.
- Revolution a continuous process
- Russian revolution only first step
- Goal was international proletarian
revolution. - Individual nations did not matter
- USSR safe only if international rising
occurred.
Stalins politics were inspired by his belief in ‘Socialism on one country’ which was made up of what key ideas?
The nations first task was to consolidate Lenin’s revolution and the rule of the CPSU by turning the USSR into a modern state, capable of defending itself against its internal and external enemies. The Soviet union must therefore work to:
- Overcome present agricultural and
industrial problems by its own
unaided efforts
- Build a modern state, the equal of
any nation in world.
- Make survival of Soviet Union
priority, even if this meant
suspending efforts to create
international revolution.
How did Stalin portray Trotsky as an enemy of the Soviet union?
- Used the contrast between the
ideologies. - Trotsky’s ideas were condemned as
an affront to Lenin and the
Bolshevik revolution.
Summarise Stalin’s ‘Socialism in one country’.
- Modernisation by USSR’s own
efforts’ - Survival of the USSR an absolute
priority. - Suspension of efforts at
international revolution.
Who were the leading figures in the leadership struggle?
Stalin, Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev, Bukharin, Rykov, Mikhail Tomsky.
Who was Stalin as a figure in the leadership struggle?
- Not played a key role in events of
1917. - Made editor of Pravda + given seat
in executive committee of the
Petrograd soviet. - Initially pro war, but then become
devoted Lenin follower. - Following 1917 rev, made
commissar for nationalists, Gained
Lenin’s trust. - Stalin disobeyed orders during civil
war when he was sent defend city of
Tsaritsyn. Removed from post. - Showed tendency to disobey orders
from centre. - Elected into Politburo.
- May 1919 Lenin puts him in charge
of Orgburo. - 1922, appointed as parties first
general secretary, at head of
secretariat, in charge of general
organisation.
Who was Trotsky as a candidate in the leadership struggle?
- Could rival Lenin in intellect. Great
writer and orator. - Popular with younger, more radical
elements of party. - Large contributions, 1917-24. near
enough equal to Lenin. - Played crucial role in effective
organisation of red army in CW. - Often arrogant and alienated other
Bolsheviks. - Many regard him as outsider, only
joined 1917. - This was wrong, He was loyal, often
accepted decision he disagreed with
to avoid damaging party. - Liked to hammer out argument in
writing or verbally. - From late 1923 suffered bouts of
fever, absent for crucial politburo
votes.
Who was Zinoviev as a candidate in the leadership struggle?
- One of the earliest Bolsheviks.(1903)
- Worked closely with Lenin before
1917 rev, arrived with Lenin at
Finland station 1917. - Opposed the armed uprising in
October, fell out with Lenin,
preferred idea of socialist coalition. - Not given position in Sovnarkom,
given party secretary title in
Leningrad. - Made chairman of Comintern.
Became full member of Politburo
1921. - Good orator, not an intellectual.
- Not popular, seen as vain,
incompetent and cowardly.
Who was Kamenev as a candidate in the leadership struggle?
- Able and early Bolshevik (1903).
- Close collaborator with Lenin while
abroad from 1907 - 1917. - Major contributor to party doctrine
and had heated debates with Lenin
who regarded him as able and
reliable. - Opposed October rev, wanted
socialist coalition, lost influence. - Became commissar for foreign
trade, becoming a member of
politburo. - Too soft to become real leader, but
was party secretary in Moscow =
strong support base in Moscow.
Who was Bukharin as a candidate in the leadership struggle?
- One of the younger generation of
Bolsheviks. - Important theorist, argued with
Lenin about political strategy. - Leading role in Pravda 1917.
- Led left-wing opposition to signing
of treaty of Brest-Litovsk. 1920-21
criticized Lenin and Trotsky in trade
union contreversy. - Became full member of Politburo in
1922. - Intellectually inquisitive.
- Lenin called him the ‘golden boy’ of
party and ‘biggest and most
valuable theoretician in party’ - Enjoyed life and very popular.
Who was Rykov as a candidate in the leadership struggle?
- Chairman of Veshenhka (supreme
economic council), later succeeded
Lenin as chairman of Sovnarkom
having been his deputy from 1921. - Outspoken, frank, direct and did
not always endear himself to
colleagues. - Strong supporter of NEP and
opposed any return to war
communism. - Notorious drinker.
Who was Mikhail Tomsky as a candidate in the leadership struggle?
- Factory worker, trade unionist, and
Bolshevik leader. Soviet leader of
the all Russian Central Council of
trade unions. - His labour activities radicalized him
politically and led him to become a
socialist and join the SD’s party in- Eventually joining Bolshevik faction of party.
- Sentenced to 5 years of hard labour
for political activities. Freed by prov
gov after Feb rev 1917. He then
participated in October rev. - 1920, General secretary of the red
international of labour unions. - Elected into central committee in
March 1919 and then Orgburo in
1921.
What was the position of Stalin before the power struggle?
- General secretary from 1922 +
member of Orgburo and
secretariat = enormous power over
policy and personnel of the party. - Ban of factions in 1921 potentially a
devastating weapon in hands of
man who could control votes at
party congress.
How did Stalin strike two knockout blows at Lenin’s funeral?
- Tricked Trotsky into not turning up
for the funeral, severely damaged
Trotsky’s reputation and political
prestige. - He made most of funeral, setting
himself as Lenin’s disciple, the
person who would carry on Lenin’s
work.
How did Stalin dodge a knockout blow in 1924?
- Krupskya gave Stalin’s secret
testament to the central commitee
in May 1924, just before 13th party
congress. - If read out at congress it would have
spelt the end of Stalin’s career. - But, Zinoviev and Kamenev argued
that it should not become general
knowledge because: It was not very
flattering to them, due to opposition
to Lenin in 1917, believed Stalin was
no real threat, needed his help to
defeat Trotsky, They thought the
testament might help Trotsky.
