(U2) Stalin’s Rise To Power And Dictatorship 1924-41 Flashcards
1
Q
How did Stalin meet Lenin
and
Eventually join the Central committee
A
- December 1905 met Lenin at the RSDLP he was impressed by Stalin’s organizational ability and dedication
- shaped his outlook while writing pamphlets between 1907-1912
- 1912 Lenin nominates Stalin to a position in communist party central committee
2
Q
How did Stalin increase his standing during the July Days
A
- after most of the Bolshevik leaders left after being either arrested or forced into exile Stalin assumed role of party leader on the ground
- Became and editor for the newspapers Pravda
- stayed loyal to Lenin after he faced opposition
3
Q
How was Stalin rewarded for his loyalty to Lenin
A
- Lenin made Stalin commissar of nationalities and member of the politburo
- many nationalities in the Russian empire wanted independence
- Stalin adopted policy of centralization and crushed all separatists by 1921
- many leaders of the Bolsheviks shocked by Stalin’s ruthlessness
- USSR established December 1922
4
Q
How did Stalin secure his position in the USSR (2)
early days
A
- made himself indispensable to the party by holding a seat in all 4 committees in the USSR Central Committee, Secretariat, Politburo, Orgburo
- April 1922 Lenin appointed Stalin general secretary which Stalin exploited using patronage
5
Q
How did Stalin use the role as general secretary to strengthen his position? (3)
A
- gave him effective control over the Orgburo and decisions about personnel and organisational structures
- he appointed his supporters to key local and regional posts within the party, and he could rely on those supporters to be loyal to him
- Through this system of patronage, helped him exercise an increasing degree of influence over the party
6
Q
How did Stalin benefit from the ban on factionalism? (2)
A
- Groups within the party found it almost impossible to dissent from questioning Lenin’s word.
- That situation was of great benefit to Stalin made it easy for him to silence most of his opponents.
7
Q
How did Lenin’s enrolment help Stalin? (3)
A
- The number of party members almost doubled, from 340,000 in 1922, to 600,000 in 1925
- most of the new recruits drawn from the proletariat. Therefore more likely to identify with Stalin, whose hard work had allowed him to rise through the ranks
- While Trotsky’s middle class intellectual background as well as Unpredictable nature made him seem untrustworthy
8
Q
Why was Trotsky unpopular in the party? (3)
A
- demonstrated considerable skill as an administrator and a military strategist during the civil war
- however he could also be very arrogant and slightly aloof. Members were also wary of his Jewish background
- had neglected to build up support within the party
9
Q
How did Stalin take advantage of Lenin’s poor health? (4)
A
- Lenin had taken his first serious stroke in May 1922. He had recovered fairly well by October, but he had a second stroke on 15 December
- there was virtually no one to keep Stalin in check, he became general secretary
- he appointed more and more of his supporters to key positions throughout the party.
- Stalin used his position as general secretary to take charge of Lenin’s doctors and restrict his visitors – essentially controlling who could and couldn’t see him - restricting possibility of Lenin condemning his actions publically
10
Q
Who was part of the ‘troika’ (triumvirate)?
And
Why was it formed?
A
1.
- Lev Kamenev
- Gregory Zinoviev
- Joseph Stalin
- For temporary governance of Russia after Lenin’s death
11
Q
What was the term given to the hierarchical approach of the communist party?
A
Democratic centralism
12
Q
How did Stalin politicise Lenin’s funeral? (3)
A
- organised it and appointed himself chief mourner
- Trotsky was abroad and couldn’t make it
- used this to imply that stalin was Lenin’s natural successor, not Trotsky
13
Q
What were the 2 broad threats to Stalin’s control after Lenin’s death?
A
- Lenin’s testament which recommended removing him as general secretary
- political rivals such as Trotsky and Bukharin
14
Q
Why did the communist party not publish Lenin’s Testament?
A
The leadership viewed it as being too critical
15
Q
Why was the suppression of Lenin’s Testament important for Stalin?
A
Allowed him to strengthen his image as Lenin’s natural heir
16
Q
Give 3 aspects of the ‘Lenin cult’ created by Stalin
A
- early 1924, Stalin gave lectures on ‘the foundations of Leninism’
- 5 days after Lenin’s death, Petrograd renamed Leningrad
- Lenin’s body preserved and put on display in the Red Square
- statues erected of Lenin
17
Q
Why did Trotsky become more unpopular within the party from 1924 to 1925?
A
- members of the Triumvirate disliked Trotsky and feared his influence
- they began a whisper campaign dubbing him a ‘political bonaparte’ who was anti-Leninist and threatened party unity
- he was made to look like a critic of Lenin who was disloyal, particularly as opposed to Stalin
- 7th anniversary of Oct revolution - publishes ‘Lessons of October’ which undermined the roles of Kamenev and Zinoviev, 2/3 of the Triumvirate
18
Q
What was Socialism in One Country?
A
- economic policy introduced by Stalin
- government focus on building industry and continuing the NEP
19
Q
Who opposed Socialism in One Country and why? (2)
A
- The left of the party, including Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev (who formed the united opposition)
- they believed in ‘permanent revolution’ where the USSR would fund worldwide revolution
20
Q
Why did Stalin act against Zinoviev and Kamenev? (2)
A
- both were members of the troika and threatened his control
- Zinoviev knew a lot of information on Stalin which could potentially threaten his position
21
Q
What were the main aims of the United Opposition? (3)
A
- overturn of ‘Socialism in One Country’ and to oppose Stalin’s leadership
- promote global revolution
- gain greater party democracy
22
Q
What happened to the leaders of the United Opposition in 1927? (3)
What happened in the years that followed?
A
1.
- October, Kamenev removed from the central committee, soon expelled from the party
- October, Trotsky removed from the central committee, expelled in November
- December, Zinoviev expelled from the party
- Kamenev and Zinoviev admitted being ‘wrong’ and severed links to Trotsky, were restored
- expelled again in 1932
23
Q
Outline the aims / views of the leaders of the Right Opposition (4)
A
- sought continuation of the NEP instead of the new 5 year plans
- criticised the party’s bureaucracy and some aspects of Stalin’s central committee
- criticised Mikhail Tomsky, chairman of the Council of Trade Unions
- keep taxation low
24
Q
Why was Bukharin opposed to the 5 year plans?
A
- the NEP allowed for private agrarian businesses to make profits which he supported
- 5 year plans involved moving from agrarian production to industrialisation and the profits were not collected
25
What had happened to *most* **Right Opposition leaders** by **1929**? (**3**)
- leaders were **publically named and removed** from all positions of power
- *Bukharin and Tomsky* were **removed from the Politburo**
- the *Moscow branch* of the party had been *purged of Right Opposition supporters*
26
**Why** did Stalin *act against Right Opposition leaders*?
In order to consolidate his control of the party
27
What *actions* did the **leaders of the Right** make between *1928 and 1929*? (**2**)
- largely went about *issuing statements* supporting **continuation of the NEP** and condemning the 5 year plans
- upon being *removed from the politburo, Bukharin* declared “**Stalin will strangle us!**”
28
**Why** was *Stalin successful* in the power struggle by 1929?
- he *outmanoeuvred* his opponents and *exploited the limitations* of his rivals
- **last** of the **1917 leaders** in the party
29
*How* did *Stalin* deal with his **political opponents** between **1924 and 1929**?
- *tens of thousands* of counter-revolutionaries were labelled ‘*anti-bolsheviks*’, ‘*bourgeois nationalists*’ or ‘*deviationists*’ and were **imprisoned**
- between **1927 and 1929**, Stalin routinely targeted his opponents through the **OGPU** (secret police)
## footnote
1930s had far harsher treatment
30
**How** did *Stalin change his tactics* in dealing with *opponents* from **1929-34**?
1929 - 1934 tactics got far harsher:
- **1930-34**, the *Gulag system was expanded*, increasing fear of denouncing the regime —> **1m prisoners by 1934**
- **1933 and 34**, *35% of party members* were *expelled*
- *kulaks* were *eliminated* as a class
- **1934**, Stalin’s govt began conducting **show trials** for ‘wreckers’
- also the *OGPU became harsher*
31
What were the *main features* of **Stalinist propaganda**? (**3**)
- *glorify* the USSR
- tell the Russian people how much his *govt has achieved*
- seen in *most forms of media*
32
Why was propaganda used as a means of control? (**4**)
(In the eyes of the state)
- inspiring people and gaining their approval and assistance for projects
- continually reinforcing the message that Stalin was always right
- making all forms of dissent against Stalin appear abnormal or harmful
- portray the USSR as a bastion of socialist virtue
33
In what ways was **history rewritten** by *Stalin’s* regime? (**2**)
- **exaggerating** the parts played by **Lenin and Stalin** in the *Bolshevik struggle*
- **altered photos** and **paintings** from **1917-24** to *strengthen his image* and *remove* traces of *political rivals* like Trotsky
34
**Why** did **Stalin** *emphasise* his *links* with **Lenin**?
In order to reinforce the idea that he was his natural successor
35
**Why** did *Stalin* develop a **cult of personality**?
How did *mass media* impact it?
- In order to try and **gain the loyalty of the masses** during a *period of political and economic change*
- newspapers, cinema etc were **largely state owned** and praised Stalin
36
How did the *media* **portray Stalin**? (**3**)
- deified him, a **godlike figure**
- also portrayed him as a **father like figure**
- also that he was **brave and very smart** - particularly during the *civil war* and *October Revolution*
37
*How* did the **cult of personality** *intensify* after **1934**? (**2**)
Coincided with the peak of the *great purges*:
- **criticism was outlawed** in all forms - punished by the *NKVD* if caught
- propaganda posters portrayed him as **’a man of the people*’* simultaneously
38
What were the **political aims** of the **personality cult**? (**2**)
- gain **approval and trust** of the Russian people
- Instil **obedience**
39
**Why** was *Kirov* a **potential rival** to Stalin in **1934**? (**2**)
**Who** did *Stalin blame* for his **murder**?
What **order** did *Stalin issue* just after?
1.
- Kirov was very **popular** in the party and was **young**
- also **headed** the **Leningrad soviet**, the largest
2. Leonid Nikolaev (a minor member) and other opposition members
3. A **decree** *authorising* a *swift and harsh response* to “terrorist attacks”
40
How did *Stalin* go about creating a ‘**terror state**’ between **1934 and 1936**? (**3 main methods**)
- ordered **purges** (which were *not as widespread* as those after 1936)
- Stalin used **show trials** to remove enemies of the state
- **over a million** in *gulags* too
41
**Why** were *Old Bolsheviks executed*?
What were they **accused of**? (**4**)
1. Ones *such as Zinoviev and Kamenev* were perceived as being **potential threats**
2. Accused of:
- conspiracy with *foreign powers*
- conspiracy to *overthrow or murder stalin*
- conspiracy to *restore capiltalism*
- conspiracy to *break up the USSR*
42
What were the **political effects** of the **post-Kirov purges** by *1936*? (**2**)
- **climate of fear** with *opponents removed*
- a **lull in denouncements and executions in Nov & Dec 1936** (with the *new constitution* which *claimed to guarantee freedoms* like for speech)
43
**Why** were *many party members* **accused** of being ‘**Trotskyites**’ during the **Great Purge**?
In order to **alienate** many party members
| also labelled ‘Zinovievites
44
**Why** did Stalin organise **show trials** of *Old Bolsheviks*? (**3**)
- try to **intimidate them** into *following orders* or to give a *false confession* of guilt
- help **remove them** or *eliminate threats*
- also help **gain info on opponents**
45
**Why** were the **armed forces purged** from **1937 onwards**?
What were the **main effects** of these purges? (**6**)
1. *minimize the threat* of a possible coup against Stalin
2. By 1939, Army was unprepared for WWII, but Stalin had total control
By **1938**:
- **8 leading generals** arrested, tried and executed
- **3 of 5** *field Marshalls* removed
- **14 of 16** *army commanders* removed
- **37,000** *other officers*
- **all** *flag officers* lost
- replacements usually *not as skilled*
46
**Why** did *Stalin* **purge** the leaders of the **secret police** by **1938**? (**2**)
- emphasize his **control**
- instill **fear** to discourage potential attempts on his life
47
How many people did the **NKVD execute** from **1937-38**?
**681,692** - killed in prisons before reaching Gulags
| (round if u can’t learn)
48
By **1939**, how had the **purges** *affected ordinary people*?
Culture of fear:
- friends and neighbors denouncing each other
- **millions of informers**
49
What was the **role** of the **NKVD** in the **Great Purge**?
In charge of:
- confiscating assets
- organising mock trials
50
What were the **main political effects** of the **purges** by **1941**?
Badly damaged the party and caused it to become fractured
51
What were the **social effects** of the **purges** by **1941**?
The populace became deeply **fearful and suspicious** of one another
52
How did **Stalin benefit politically** from the **purges** by **1941**?
Stalin was able to create a *near totalitarian state* with him at the apex of power
53
How did **Stalin** use *different forms* of **media** to **affect Russian culture**?
- **January 1925** - **Russian Association of Proletariat Writers (RAAP)** *ensured writers promoted socialist values* promoting idealised view of Russian workers
- all **works reflect state achievements** and its great *leader*
- paintings of soviet labourers in vast industrial facilities under watchful eye of Stalin or Lenin
- film directors that used complex techniques accused of using techniques only accessible to elite - **state promoted simplified works**
54
How did **literacy rates** improve during **Stalin's** reign
*Adult literacy rate* **rose by 19%** between **1926 and 1937** due to *cheap books*
55
How did **Stalin** *transform* the **Komsomol**? (**3**)
- **1926** it became a **communist party institution** *controlled by central committee*
- **1927** - **~2 million members** all between *14-26*. By **1940** - **10 million**
- *encouraged* to **attack groups** such as the "fellow travelers" and **disrupt performances** which may have opposing messages and **help spread propaganda**
56
How did **Stalin transform education** (**4**)
- *centralized* under the *Peoples commissariat of education* using the **education law of 1935**
- *Literacy* of those *10+* **increased by 30.7%** between **1926 and 1939**
- **number of pupils** in school rose from **12 million to 35 million**
- pupils could stay on *3 more years until 18* but had to **pay a fee** - helped **create elite group** in soviet society
57
What was the **role** of **women and the family** in *Stalin's society*? (**6**)
1. tried *encouraging women into workplace* but female literacy rate lagged behind males
2. by **1930's** USSR had **highest divorce rate in Europe** so *Stalin emphasized* importance of *women as mothers* and homemakers
3. **June 1936 abortion outlawed** *except for medical reasons*
4. **1930 Zhenotdel** (Women's department of CCCP) **dismantled**
5. **1936** creation of '*Obschestvennista*' (**Housewife Movement**) which historian Mary Buckly described as unpaid labour in hostels, schools, hospitals etc.
6. Stalin content to let **women fill vacancies in industry**:
- 1928 - 3 million women in industry
- 1936 - 9 million
- 1941 - 13+ million
58
What was the name of the **Soviet propaganda publications**?
Pravda & Investia
59
What was the name of the **art style** *promoted by* **Stalin**?
What were its **aspects**?
What is the implementation of this known as?
- Socialist realism
- glorified depictions of Stalin and the regime
- top-down cultural revolution
60
What was the **Riutkin Affair** used for?
Stalin going after opponents of the NEP
61
How did **Stalin tackle religion**? (**3**)
- continued **attacks on Orthodox Church**, also targeting other churches e.g. Islam
- **League of Militant Atheists** - mix of protest and violence - **5m members** in *1930s*
- **hundreds of churches burned down** during the *Great Terror*. Only **500 left by 1940**
