The Power Struggle: Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Candidates Flashcards
What were Stalin’s Strengths? (6)
Had a crucial position as General Secretary so he had a strong power base.
Had mastered the theories of Marxism-Leninism.
Concealed his intentions well.
Placed himself close to Lenin during his illness.
Made an alliance with Zinoviev and Kamenev.
One of the original members.
What were Stalin’s weaknesses? (3)
He played a small role in the October Revolution.
Antagonised other leading communists.
His colleagues were aware of what Lenin said about him in his Testament.
What were Trotsky’s strengths? (4)
Excellent speaker, intellectual and theorist.
Had a clear role in the October Revolution and Civil War.
Transformed the Red Army into a disciplined effective unit.
Formidable political skills. ,
What were Trotsky’s weaknesses? (5)
Feared by many Bolsheviks as they thought he would use the Red Army to seize power.
Was previously a Menshevik.
He was arrogant and his colleagues disliked him for this.
Didn’t attempt to build a power base.
He was inconsistent as he was originally against Kamenev and Zinoviev but changed allegiance in the end to oppose Stalin.
What were Kamenev’s strengths? (3)
Lenin’s closest ally after Zinoviev prior to 1917.
He was Lenin’s most trusted assistant in Lenin’s final years.
He was the Moscow party boss and this meant he had a strong power base.
What were Kamenev’s weaknesses? (5)
He was inconsistent as he was originally with Stalin but then changed sides to support Trotsky.
He opposed Lenin in 1917.
Zinoviev was more popular than him.
Was regarded as too soft and lacked the drive to be a sole leader.
He underestimated his rivals.
What were Zinoviev’s strengths? (3)
He was an old Bolshevik.
He was the closest to Lenin out of all of the contenders.
Role as Leningrad boss meant he had a strong power base.
What were Zinoviev’s weaknesses?
Opposed Lenin in 1917.
Underestimated his rivals.
He left it too late to support Trotsky against Stalin.
What were Bukharin’s strengths? (3)
Popular within the party.
Regarded as the best theoretician in the party.
An expert on economics and agriculture.
What were Bukharin’s weaknesses? (4)
Didn’t have a power base.
Avoided confrontation,
Underestimated Stalin.
Made tactical mistakes such as leaving it too late to side with Kamenev and Zinoviev.
What were Rykov’s strengths? (3)
Was an old Bolshevik.
Showed administrative ability in implementing War Communism and then the NEP.
Was supported by Sovknarkom.
What were Rykov’s weaknesses? (3)
Overshadowed by Bukharin.
Underestimated Stalin.
He put high tax on vodka and this turned some Bolsheviks against him.
What were Tomsky’s strengths? (2)
Was an old Bolshevik.
Was chief spokesman of the trade unions so had a strong power base.
What were Tomsky’s weaknesses?
Hated Trotsky and this blinded him to the danger of Stalin.
Trade union based so he was a target for Stalin.
His support of the NEP was used against him in 1927 when the grain procurement crises started.
