AS FP2 : Historiography

Question 1

Lenin’s legacy

What is the ‘Great Man’ theory of history?

Answer 1

The ‘Great Man’ theory of history is the idea that certain people occupying positions of power make decisions that change the course of history.

Question 2

Lenin’s legacy

What are some arguments for Lenin being a ‘Great Man’?

Answer 2

• Outstanding party leader who held it together when it should have fragmented.
• Lenin was flexible and pragmatic building a government from scratch.
• Concept of “vanguard of the revolution”
• Dictatorship of the Proletariat carried the October Revolution.
• Trotsky “If Lenin had not managed to come to Petrograd in April 1917, the October Revolution would not have taken place.”

Question 3

Lenin’s legacy

What did Chris Read say about Lenin’s leadership?

Answer 3

“The Bolshevik structure of the party boiled down to Lenin’s domination of it… after his death … the divisions were no longer able to be healed and the leadership fell into purging and eventually bloodletting.”

Question 4

Lenin’s legacy

What are the arguments for Lenin not being a ‘Great Man’?

Answer 4

• Corin and Fiehn, “the opportunity to sieze power fell into the Bolsheviks’ lap” it seems that the Soviet would have taken power anyways and a socialist government would have formed even if Lenin hadn’t intervened.
• Isaac Deutscher believes that the revolutionary trend will find or create its leader from whatever human material is available.
• Robert Service, “great historical progresses are wrought not only by individuals. There were other mighty factors at work in Russia in 1917.”

Question 5

What does S.A Smith say about the period of Civil War in Russia?

Answer 5

“The civil war brutalised social life to an unimaginable degree, yet as an epic struggle between the new and old worlds it inspired idealism and heroism among the dedicated minorities who supported the Red and White causes.”

Question 6

What does S.A Smith say about Trotsky’s role in the civil war?

Answer 6

“Trotsky proved to be an inspirational figure as he toured the front in his famous headquaters train; but he was npt infaalible as a military commander and his authoritarian methods alienated many. This led to the formation of a Military opposition of which Stalin was a supported, that opposed the ruthless centralisation of the Red Army.”