Contenders for the Power Struggle

Question 1

Who are the seven key contenders for leadership in the power struggle?

Answer 1

Stalin
Trotsky
Kamenev
Zinoviev
Bukharin
Rykov
Tomsky

Question 2

Fun Mnemonic to remember these by?

Answer 2

Still The Knights Zealously Bellow Rude Tales

Question 3

When was Stalin born and how did he begin in the party?

Answer 3

1878

Stalin began as an agitator and fundraiser for the Party organising bank robberies

Question 4

When is Stalin elected to the Central Committee?

Answer 4

1917

Question 5

When does Stalin become Commissar for Nationalities?

Answer 5

1918

Question 6

When does Stalin become General-Secretary for the Party?

Answer 6

1921

Question 7

What were Stalin’s strengths in the leadership contest? (4)

Answer 7

Underestimated by his opponents - good at concealing his intentions

Mastered theories of Marxism-Leninism

GS at time of party bureaucracy expanding - gained loyalty of his subordinates appointing them in key positions

Lenin once called Stalin, “that wonderful Georgian” and supported his promotion to GS.

Question 8

What were more of Stalin’s strengths during the leadership contest? (3)

Answer 8

Could claim to be loyal from the very beginning (unlike Trotsky) - vocal supporter of Lenin since 1903

Deliberately placed himself close to Lenin so he could claim to know and understand what Lenin wanted

Triumvirate of Stalin, Kamenev and Zinoviev formed in 1922-3 to block Trotsky’s ambitions and was powerful

Question 9

What was another name for the Triumvirate?

Answer 9

The Troika

Question 10

What were Stalin’s weaknesses?

Answer 10

fallen out with Lenin prior to his death (phone call w/ Krupskaya) - his colleagues knew Lenin turned on him despite the testament being kept hidden

Seen as crude and violent - proven by his actions whilst commissar of nationalities

only played minor role in 1917 revolutions and was overshadowed by others like Trotsky

Easily jealous of others, considered abrasive. introverted - trouble making allies.

Question 11

What contenders for power were from the Left of the Party?

Answer 11

Trotsky
Zinoviev
Kamenev

Question 12

When was Trotsky born and how does he begin in the party?

Answer 12

Born 1883, originally a Menshevik but joins Bolsheviks after Feb 1917 revolution.

Question 13

When does Trotsky become the leader of the Petrograd Soviet?

Answer 13

1917

Question 14

When does Trotsky become the Peoples Commissar for Foreign affairs?

Answer 14

October 1917

Question 15

When does Trotsky found the Red Army?

Answer 15

1918

Question 16

What were Trotsky’s strengths in the leadership contest?

Answer 16

seen as a hero of the civil war

inspirational speaker - known for political skills and organisational ability

widely regarded as the most important man in the party second to Lenin - also favoured by Lenin

called the ideal candidate to run in Lenin’s testament

Question 17

What were Trotsky’s weaknesses during the leadership process?

Answer 17

Prone to “freezing” and falling ill in a crisis

Made bad mistakes and errors in judgement - e.g not calling out Stalin at 13th party congress

Faced anti-semitism due to jewish heritage

Unpopular due to his arrogance

made no attempt to build a support base - isolated

Faced suspicion over his past as a menshevik

Question 18

How does Kamenev begin in the party?

Answer 18

Was an “Old Bolshevik” since 1905

Question 19

Does Kamenev support Lenin’s April Thesis in 1917?

Answer 19

No

Question 20

When does Kamenev form the Troika and who with?

Answer 20

Formed in 1922
Himself, Zinoviev and Stalin

Question 21

What does Kamenev do with Zinoviev after the Troika falls apart?

Answer 21

Joins the Left Opposition with Trotsky

Question 22

What were Kamenev’s strengths during the leadership contest?

Answer 22

An “Old Bolshevik” so respected

Close w/ Lenin - After his first stroke, Lenin entrusted Kamenev with many personal papers

Strong power base in Moscow, where he ran the local party

Regarded as thoughtful and able to “get things done”

Effective at reaching compromises

Part of the Troika, which had a majority in the Politburo.

Question 23

What were Kamenev’s weaknesses during the leadership contest?

Answer 23

Reputation of inconsistency, “flip-flopping” between sides and being opportunistic

Too closely associated with Zinoviev who was more popular than him

Regarded as soft and lacking “drive of a leader”

underestimated his rivals - esp. Stalin

Had opposed both April Thesis and Oct. Revolution in 1917

Question 24

What positions did Zinoviev hold?

Answer 24

Chairman of the comintern
Spokesperson of the CC
Member of the Politburo

Question 25

What were Zinoviev's strengths during the leadership contest?

Answer 25

"Old Bolshevik" and good at speeches In the weeks before Lenin's death, Lenin described Zinoviev his "closest and most trusted personal assistant" Was party boss in Leningrad with a strong support base only second to Kamenev in Moscow who was already his ally. Member of the Troika

Question 26

What were Zinoviev's weaknesses in the leadership contest?

Answer 26

Seen as vain, inconsistent and suffered from mood swings - unpredictable Opposed 1917 Oct revolution with Kamenev Underestimated his rivals Him and Kamenev were too late when switching allegiances to Trotsky in 1926

Question 27

What contenders for power were from the Right of the Party?

Answer 27

Bukharin Rykov Tomsky

Question 28

When was Bukharin born and when did he join the party?

Answer 28

Born 1888 Joined Bolsheviks in 1906

Question 29

From what years was Bukharin a prominent figure in the government?

Answer 29

1925-1928 Also a politburo member

Question 30

What were Bukharin's strengths in the leadership contest?

Answer 30

Open, co-operative and friendly w/ most of the party - friends with Lenin, Trotsky AND Stalin. Considered "best theoretician" in the party and was an expert of economics and agriculture at a time of uncertainty regarding peasants and collectivisation Popular in the Left AND Right of the party Trusted by Lenin w/ many tasks - e.g was editor of the Pravda

Question 31

What were Bukharin's weaknesses in the leadership struggle?

Answer 31

He and Lenin had many public disagreements - e.g ending WW1, the NEP Not suited to party infighting - naive, lacked intrigue No power base - tried to remain on good terms w/ everyone Made lots of tactical mistakes Underestimated Stalin - his popularity made him Stalin's target Lenin criticised the extent of his Marxist beliefs

Question 32

What positions did Rykov hold?

Answer 32

Chairman of the government and Sovnarkom

Question 33

What was an advantage Rykov had that many other contenders didn't?

Answer 33

Genuine background in the working class - was born to peasants.

Question 34

What were Rykov's strengths during the leadership contest?

Answer 34

Old Bolshevik Proved his administrative ability when switching from War communism to the NEP Had extensive support from the Sovnarkom

Question 35

What were Rykov's weaknesses during the leadership contest?

Answer 35

His policy of high taxation on vodka made him unpopular Opposed Lenin over timing of the revolutions Lacked a powerbase as he was viewed as "too moderate" Overshadowed by others popularity - esp. Bukharin's

Question 36

What role was Tomsky associated with?

Answer 36

Managing trade unions

Question 37

What was an advantage Tomsky had over other candidates?

Answer 37

Like Rykov, was also from a working class background

Question 38

What was Tomsky's strengths during the leadership contest?

Answer 38

Strong role in the party as chief spokesperson for trade unions Reputation for being practical so was a natural ally of Rykov and Bukharin. Working class background

Question 39

What were Tomsky's weaknesses during the leadership contest?

Answer 39

Hatred of Trotsky blinded him to threat o Stalin His support from the trade unions made him a target of Stalin His support of the NEP was used against him during the 1928 Grain Procurement crisis

Question 40

For how long did the leadership contest and power struggle last?

Answer 40

1929-1929