Unit 7: Stalin's Rise to Power Source Points

Question 1

Socialism in one country

Answer 1

Stalin had came up with the idea of ‘Socialism in One Country’, the idea of how socialism should be focussed within the USSR without the help of people from the outside. This idea was patriotic as the idea was they would build a society superior to the Capitalist West and attracted the support of many in the party. This helped Stalin become leader as it attracted more supporters for him.

Question 2

Cunningness + Lenin’s funeral

Answer 2

Stalin had his own personal qualities which helped him become leader such as his cunningness. He effectively used Lenin’s funeral and it was said he told Trotsky he would not make it in time back to the country whilst he was abroad. He succeeded in ensuring Trotsky’s absence which damaged his reputation and he lost support. Stalin was able to build his reputation whilst his opponents declines.

Question 3

Cult of Lenin

Answer 3

Stalin had encouraged the establishment of the Cult of Leninism. He insisted the embalmment of Lenin’s body and tomb turned into a shine. Using this Stalin was able to glorify Lenin and transfer some of Lenin’s support and loyalty to himself, and he presented himself as his heir. Helped grow his support from Lenin supporters.

Question 4

“Grey blur”

Answer 4

Many Bolsheviks underestimated Stalin’s ability to be a potential leader. Menshevik Sukhanov had described him as a “grey blur”. This helped Stalin become leader as nobody saw him as a threat until it was too late. He mainly was not targeted by other members as Trotsky was seen as the bigger threat, and when people began to notice him he had already gathered too much political power.

Question 5

Turning on NEP

Answer 5

Stalin turned against the NEP after he eliminated the threats from the left wing of the party. He previously had sided with Bukharin of the right wing, but turned against him to advocate rapid industrialisation. Bukharin was outvoted by Stalin supporters and those on the left who opposed the NEP. The right wing leaders were removed which helped Stalin become leader as his main opposition was removed.

Question 6

Trotsky joined later

Answer 6

Trotsky had joined the Bolshevik party much later and was not seen as a loyal member. This helped Stalin become leader as many Bolsheviks did not trust Trotsky and feared he would become a dictator or figure similar to Napoleon. This allowed Stalin to gain support from those who didn’t support Trotsky.

Question 7

Positions in the Politburo + secretariat

Answer 7

Stalin held positions in the Orgburo and Secretariat. With these positions, he was able to control appointments to positions of the party structure. He appointed members who supported him whilst being able to expel those who supported Trotsky.

Question 8

Testament

Answer 8

Lenin was lucky that Lenin’s final testament was not brought forward by the other Bolshevik members. In the testament, Lenin had expressed his discontent for Stalin, including being “too rude”. If the testament was brought out, it would have ruined Stalin’s career and would not have been able to take power.

Question 9

Fears of party split

Answer 9

Due to fears of the party splitting, the Bolshevik leaders at the time were less willing to expose Lenin’s testament as it had critised most of the members of the Communist Party. This meant that Stalin’s own criticisms were not used against him.

Question 10

Trotsky’s flaws

Answer 10

He failed to successfully compete with Stalin. He failed to build a large enough power base and was outmaneuvered by Stalin who eroded the support Trotsky had.

Question 11

Historiography

Answer 11

• Deutshcher x2
• EH Carr
• M McCauley
• Tucker
• Soviet Writers
• David Renton