How did Stalin gain and hold on to power?

Question 1

(a) What was Lenin’s political testament? [4]

Answer 1

• e.g. ‘It was his will which he dictated before he died.’
• ‘In it he criticised Bolshevik leaders like Stalin/Trotsky.’
• ‘It said that Stalin should be removed as General Secretary of the Communist Party.’
• ‘He warned about a split developing in the party between Stalin and Trotsky.’ ‘
• It was not published for some time because the Bolshevik leaders had been criticised in it.

Question 2

(a) In what ways were official culture and censorship used to maintain Stalin’s control of the Soviet Union? [4]

Answer 2

• All forms of media were strictly censored.’
• ‘Only approved newspapers and magazines could be published.’
• ‘Books, films, art and plays were only allowed if they matched Stalinist beliefs.’
• ‘Stalin believed that all of the arts should portray the working man’s struggle to achieve communism.’ ‘Stalin’s image was everywhere.’
• ‘Statues and pictures of Stalin increased and made Stalin appear god-like.’
• ‘Children were taught that he was ‘the wisest man of the age’.’
• ‘Famous photographs were changed to make him a hero and to remove purged people.’ ‘Propaganda was used.’

Question 3

(a) What were the main features of the labour camps (gulags)? [4]

Answer 3

• ‘They were situated in the most remote and inhospitable parts of the Soviet Union.’
• ‘The harshest were inside the Arctic Circle and Siberia.’
• ‘The prisoners were used as slave labour on prestige projects.’
• ‘A quarter of a million convicts worked on the White Sea Canal.’
• ‘Prisoners were expected to work in all weathers.’
• ‘Prisoners did not receive enough food.’
• ‘Camp guards often used violence against the inmates.’
• ‘Prisoners could not receive any visitors.’
• ‘Conditions were so bad that several millions died in the camps.’
• ‘They died from hunger, cold and exhaustion.’

Question 4

(a) What views did Lenin express in his ‘Political Will’ (Testament)? [4]

Answer 4

• ‘A warning against Stalin as Lenin thought Stalin had too much power in his own hands.’ ‘It suggested Stalin should be removed from his post as General Secretary.’
• ‘Lenin was not sure Stalin was capable of using his authority with sufficient caution.’
• ‘Lenin stated that he thought Trotsky was the most capable man in the present committee.’ ‘Lenin thought Trotsky was too preoccupied with the administrative side of the work.’
• ‘Lenin was not sure Stalin was capable of using his authority with sufficient caution.’
• ‘Lenin said he thought that Trotsky was the most capable man in the present committee.’
• ‘Lenin thought Trotsky was too pre-occupied with the administrative side of the work.’
• ‘Lenin thought Bukharin was rightly considered the favourite of the whole Party.’
• ‘Lenin thought Zinoviev and Kamenev had both wavered at the time of the revolution.’
• ‘A warning against Stalin as Lenin thought Stalin had too much power in his own hands.’ ‘It suggested Stalin should be removed from his post as General Secretary.’ ‘Lenin was not sure Stalin was capable of using his authority with sufficient caution.’ ‘Lenin stated that he thought Trotsky was the most capable man in the present committee.’ ‘Lenin thought Trotsky was too pre-occupied with the administrative side of the work.’

Question 5

(a) What qualities did Trotsky have which enabled him to be considered as Lenin’s successor? [4]

Answer 5

• ‘Trotsky was a brilliant organiser.’
• ‘He was intelligent.’
• ‘Trotsky had organised the Bolshevik takeover in 1917.’
• ‘He organised the Red Army during the Civil War.’
• ‘He proved to be an excellent commander.’
• ‘He was a great motivator.’
• ‘He promoted men on ability rather than on their class.’
• ‘He had a reputation outside the Soviet Union, having been Commissar for Foreign Affairs.’ ‘He was a brilliant speaker, writer and thinker.’
• ‘He was the hero of the October Revolution and the Civil War.’
• ‘He had been considered by many as second to Lenin.’
• ‘He was popular with/liked by Lenin.’

Question 6

(a) What qualities did Stalin have which enabled him to be considered as Lenin’s successor? [4]

Answer 6

• ‘Stalin was clever at using his power within the Communist Party. He was General
• Secretary and had put many supporters in top Party posts to guarantee support.’
• ‘Stalin was a good political schemer. He associated himself with Lenin whenever possible.
• He was chief mourner at Lenin’s funeral because he misinformed Trotsky of the date of the
• funeral.’
• ‘Stalin had a ruthless streak, picking off rivals one by one or posting opponents to remote
• positions.’
• ‘Stalin understood what the people wanted. They preferred his ‘Socialism in One Country’
• rather than Trotsky’s world revolution.’