AS FP3 : How did Stalin become the sole leader of the USSR? Flashcards
(26 cards)
Historiography
What did J.N Westwood say about Stalin’s rise to power?
“It is unlikely that Stalin followed a long-term plan. He did not need to, he could stand back and watch his rivals dig their own graves, occassionally offering his spade to one or two of them.”
Stalin’s strengths
What was Stalin’s power base?
Stalin began building his power base in the party from 1922 onwards, it was Stalin’s position in all key party organisations - in the Politburo, in the orgburo, the Secretariat and as General Secretary - that gave him control of the party organisation and membership and such enormous amounts of power.
Stalin’s strengths
Why was Stalin’s position as general secretary important for his rise to power?
As party secretary he had control, to some extent, of the business of the politburo. For example, drawing up agendas and papers for the Politburo meetings gave him control over what was discussed and who recieved what information.
Stalin’s strengths
Why was Stalin’s position in the Orgburo and Secretariat important for his rise to power?
These gave him control of appointments of responsibility in the party structure. He could put his supporters in key positions, particularly the regional and local party secretaries were increasingly Stalin’s men. He was able to build up a “Nomenklatura” through the Secretariat and had an iron fist on bureaucracy.
Stalin’s strengths
Why was Stalin;s control of the party organisation and membership important for his rise to power?
His control of party organisation meant that he could influence the selection of delegates who were sent to the annual party congress where major issues of policy were decided. He could pack the congress full of his supporters ; this accounts for the increasing hostility Trotsky recieved at conferences from 1924 onwards.
His control of the party membership allowed him to get rid of more radical elements who were more likely to support trotsky. The new members tended to be young urban workers, poorly educated ex-peasants, who were not interested in ideological debates. Stalin’s practical policies, such as Socialism in One Country, based on nationalism were likely to appeal to them.
Historiography
What does Reed Brett say about Stalin’s use of Nomenklatura?
“He promoted thousands od mediocre men from the provinces who owed their careers to him and sided with him against the talented figures of Trotsky and Bukharin.”
Historiography
What does Bullock say about Stalin’s rise to power?
Bullock says that Stalin “owed his rise to power to his success, not in exploiting, but concealing his personality ; and was underestimated for the opposite reason - because many failed to recognise his ambition and ruthlessness.”
Historiography
What does Deutscher say about Stalin’s rise to power?
Deutscher says that “Trotsky did not attack Stalin because he felt secure, it seemed to Trotsky almost a bad joke that Stalin, the wilful and sly but shabby and articulate man in the background, should be his rival.”
Stalin’s strengths
How did Stalin exploit Lenin’s funeral to his own advantage?
Lenin’s funeral enabled Stalin to entrench his position further, Stalin was placed in charge of arrangements for the funeral and siezed the opportunity to promote the “cult of leninism”, by making the funeral a state occassiona. Stalin insisted that Lenin’s body be embalmed and placed in public view, making Leninism into a religion of which loyal comrade Stalin was the high priest. He additionally told Trotsky the incorrect date for the funeral, severly damaging Trotsky’s reputation when he does not show.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 2 : What occurs at the Thirteenth Party Congress?
At the thirteenth party congress Krupskaya gives Lenin’s testament to the Central Committee in May 1924, however the Triumverate blocks the motion for it to be read aloud.
The Power Struggle, Course
How was the thirteenth party congress significant to the power struggle?
The reason that Kamenev and Zinoviev didn’t let the testament become general knowledge was due to their belief that Stalin presented no real threat to them and they knew that the testament would ruin his career. By doing this, they enabled Stalin’s to continue to remain in power.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 3 : What was displayed at the thirteenth party congress?
The Thirteenth party Congress saw hostilities out in the open. Trotsky mistakenly criticised the party bureaucracy and was easily defeated in the votes due to Stalin’s delegates, as well as the powerful blocs created by Kamenev and Zinoviev.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 3 : How did the Thirteenth Party Congress impact the power struggle?
Trotsky hesitated to oppose Stalin as there was an inbuilt majority against him. However, Trotksy never found a better opportunity to oppose Stalin whereas Stalin continued to show a single-minded focus on building up a personal following of loyal supporters such as Molotov, Kaganovich, Voroshilov and Kirov.
Robert Service “gang members”.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 4: What occured between Kamenev, Zinoviev and Trotsky in 1924?
In 1924, Zinoviev and Kamenev mounted a vicious campaign against Trotsky, raising questions about his loyalty and past as a Menshevik. In response, Trotsky retaliated with the “lessons of October” which criticised them for their opposition to the October Revolution.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 4 : How was the left-wing infighting significant to Stalin’s rise?
Stalin stayed in the background, happy to see the left tearing itself apart while he continued to build his power base. He continued to place himself in the Golden Middle, a ‘moderate peacemaker’ ancious to maintain party unity. Zinoviev and Kamenev, still frightened of Trotsky, allowed Stalin to bring more of his supporters into key positions.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 5 : What occured as a result of Stalin’s ‘socialism in one country’ policy?
IN 1925, Stalin’s policy of ‘Socialism in one country’ proved very popular with party members, attracting the right-wing of the party as it alligned with the NEP. A new alliance emerged between Stalin and Bukharin.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 5 : How did Kamenev and Zinoviev react to Stalin’s alliance with Bukharin?
Kamenev and Zinoviev became increasingly frustrated with their inability to control Stalin. Bukharin quickly became an ally of Stalin against the others ; Stalin again placed himself in the ‘Golden Middle’ in party debates about economics and socialism in one country.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 5 : What occured at the Fourteenth Party Congress?
At the fourteenth party congress in 1925, Zinoviev and Kamenev attacked Stalin, calling for a vote of no confidence. They were painted as factionalists endangering the USSR’s stability.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 5 : What happened to Trotsky in 1925?
In January of 1925, Trotsky was forced out of his position as People’s Commissar for War and he was further isolated.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 5 : What was formed in 1926?
In 1926, Kamenev, Zinoviev and Trotsky formed the “United opposition” and made a direct appeal to the party masses and the workers, trying to organise demonstrations in Moscow. Despite this, however, Stalin’s line of socialism in one country appealed to the majority of the party and he remained in a poweful position.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 5: What happened in 1927?
After the United Opposition, Kamenev, Zinoviev and Trotksy could all be accused of factionalism. In November they were all expelled from the party. In December, the expulsions were confirmed and dozens of other “oppositionists” were expelled from the party.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 6 : What occured in 1928?
Stalin turned against the right and the NEP. He advocated for rapid industrialisation. The Grain Procurement Crisis of 1927-1928 allowed him to mount criticism of Bukharin’s policies and Bukharin found himself increasingly outvoted in the Politburo.
The Power Struggle, Course
Round 6 : What occured in 1929?
In April, 1929, Bukharin was deprived of several government posts and was expelled from the Politburo.
The Power Struggle, Course
What is the argument for Stalin being opportunistic?
- Promoted himself as chief mourner at Lenin’s funeral, 1924, manipulating the ill-health of Trotsky.
- Controlled the Politburo
- Manipulated people by exploting the party debates at the time.
