Q (bs) How did Stalin gain and hold on to power? Flashcards
(6 cards)
(b) Why did Trotsky lose the leadership struggle with Stalin? [6]
- As the Secretary of the Party, Stalin could affect who got important party jobs. While Trotsky had been away fighting in the Civil War, Stalin had been in Petrograd being very friendly to all the people that mattered, including Lenin. Lenin however did not like Stalin and did not think he would make a very good leader. He wrote a letter to the rest of the party when he got very ill explaining these sentiments, but the letter was never made public to the Politburo.
- Stalin was a clever man and knew how important a good image was/ he planned bid for power carefully. He made sure that he had an important role at Lenin’s funeral while Trotsky did not even make it on the day! Trotsky was actually in Southern Russia at this time recovering from malaria and it is said that he phoned Stalin to find out when the funeral was and Stalin gave him the wrong date! Stalin, along with Zinoviev and Kamenev emerged quickly as strong leaders within the Politburo and together they accused Trotsky of trying to split the communist party. He was so unpopular by this time that very few of his colleagues were prepared to defend him against these charges. So, from 1924, Trotsky lost more and more of his jobs in the party. He got Trotsky sacked as war commissioner and in 1927 got Zinoview and Kamenev and Trotsky removed from the communist party. Trotsky exiled to Siberia.
Trotsky was arrogant and assumed he would be next leader after Lenin. He did not take Stalin seriously and offended other senior party members. He referred to Stalin as the “grey blur” and in 1923 the party’s “most eminent mediocrity”. Trotsky didn’t build a bloc of supporters in the communist party, frightened many people in the USSR with his radical policies about spreading communism across the world and they were worried about him causing further conflicts for USSR and splitting the party. Meanwhile Stalin quietly built up support in the communist party by putting his supporters in positions of power.
(b) Why were the Purges an effective way for Stalin to control the Soviet people?[6]
- Purges effective because Stalin by 1938 had removed all Bolsheviks capable of challenging his leadership - everyone spared knew their lives depended on obedience and he destroyed people’s ability to think independently.
- 1934 Stalin was becoming increasingly concerned about opposition to himself and his reforms. So he introduced the purges to remove opponents – or those who he thought were opponents.
- By introducing a widespread series of purges, Stalin made it known that he would accept no opposition to his policies of industrialisation, collectivisation and modernisation.
- At the height of the purges in 1937/38 it is believed that as many as 700,000 people were executed. People were simply too frightened to speak against Stalin and his policies. Anyone suspected of being an enemy was arrested - up to 500,000 communist officials arrested, executed / sent to labour camps. Those left were obedient to Stalin as they were frightened of being sent to the labour camps.
- He used the show trials where leading Bolsheviks confessed to crimes - Kamanev and Zinoviev tried in 1936 along with 14 others. Bukarin tried in 1938.
- Stalin also used the purges to secure his own position as head of government. He had defeated Trotsky to become undisputed leader, but by 1934 he was concerned that there were plans to remove him.
- When Kirov was murdered because he suggested that the pace of industrialisation should be slowed, Stalin used this as an opportunity to turn on his supposed enemies. In all sixteen ‘Old Bolsheviks’ were tried for treason and being involved in the death of Kirov. He even purged the Red Army to ensure it was totally obedient to him and could play no role in overthrowing him.
(b) Why were the NKVD a feared organisation? [6]
Feared organisation because of role in implementing Stalin’s political purges and the widespread use of torture, repression, and execution of perceived enemies of the state:
(1) The Great Purge:
During Great Purge (1936-1938), NKVD carried out mass arrests, imprisonment, torture, and executions of hundreds of thousands of Soviet citizens on Stalin’s orders. NKVD or secret police was the instrument that Stalin used to crush any potential opposition. They arrested and shot hundreds of thousands of people in all walks of life. The NKVD prepared lists of victims for Stalin to authorise. All Soviet people lived in fear of the NKVD because there was no rule of law and no human rights. Once arrested by the NKVD, prisoners could be beaten, tortured or murdered. Some just disappeared.
(2) Targeted Ethnic Minorities:
NKVD specifically targeted certain ethnic minorities, such as Volga Germans and Poles, with forced deportations and severe repression.
(3) Repression and Violence:
NKVD’s actions included the use of torture and summary executions, creating an atmosphere of fear and terror.
(4) Overseas Operations:
NKVD’s intelligence unit organized assassinations of political enemies, including leaders of nationalist movements and individuals perceived as threats to Stalin.
(5) Gulag System:
NKVD was responsible for maintaining the political regime within the Gulag, a vast system of labour camps, where political dissidents were incarcerated.
(6) Internal Security and Military Support
NKVD played a crucial role in maintaining internal security, often supported by the Red Army in carrying out political repressions.
(7) Enforced by Special Troikas:
Simplified and often unjust investigations and sentences were handed down by NKVD “troikas” (groups of three officials), further contributing to the fear and the lack of legal recourse,
(b) Why were some Bolsheviks suspicious of Trotsky’s qualities as a potential leader? [6]
Some Bolsheviks suspicious because:
(1) His Arrogance and Self-Assurance:
Lenin himself noted Trotsky’s “excessive self-assurance” and preoccupation with paperwork over leadership. This, combined with Trotsky’s perceived superior intellect and dedication to communism, made him appear arrogant to some party members. During Lenin’s illness, Kamenev, Zinoviev and Bukharin acted as triumvirate, but Trotsky thought they had no plan for the future and no vision. The three, with Stalin, worked together to prevent Trotsky from becoming leader. Some thought he lacked judgement for wanting to persist with War Communism when NEP
was introduced.
(2) Focus on Administration:
Lenin also criticized Trotsky for being too focused on the administrative side of things, rather than on leading the party.
(3) Lack of Commitment: Some Bolsheviks felt that Trotsky’s dedication to communism wasn’t as strong as theirs, further contributing to their skepticism. Trotsky was not popular with the Politburo because they mistrusted him for not joining
the Bolsheviks until 1917. Before, he had been a Menshevik. On Lenin’s death, Trotsky was accused of trying to split the Communist Party and take
power for himself. Stalin promoted ‘Socialism in One Country’ so that Communism could become established at home and the country could become prosperous. Trotsky believed in permanent or world revolution. He felt Communism would not survive unless the Communism revolution spread to other countries.’ The Bolsheviks preferred Stalin’s ideas.
(4) Jewish Background: Despite not practicing Judaism, Trotsky’s Jewish heritage was used against him, as some within the party harboured anti-Semitic sentiments. The country had a long tradition of anti-Semitism and Trotsky was a Jew.’
(b) Why was Stalin able to defeat Trotsky to become Lenin’s successor? [6]
(1) Trotsky unpopular
Trotsky was not popular with the Politburo and the old Bolsheviks as he had not joined the party until 1917, having been a Menshevik. He was mistrusted.’
‘Kamenev and Zinoviev disliked Trotsky and disagreed with his political views.’
(2) Stalin ability to win support
Stalin’s ability to win support allowed him to win the power struggle after Lenin’s death. Stalin had built a support base before Lenin’s death. Trotsky underestimated Stalin because he appeared dull and hard working. But Stalin had built up a power base. He was General Secretary and appointed officials who supported him.
(3) Stalin chief manipulator
Between 1924 and 1929, Stalin manipulated the left and right of the party to remove his political rivals. Stalin successfully presented himself as Lenin’s close follower such as chief mourner at his
funeral. Stalin tricked Trotsky into not attending.’
‘Stalin was a clever tactician, playing one group off against the other in the Politburo.’ Stalin’s idea for the future was more popular. He promoted ‘socialism in one country’. Trotsky believed in ‘permanent, or world revolution’. Trotsky’s approach was less favoured.’ This ability to manipulate allowed Stalin to win the leadership contest. This is because he managed to isolate Trotsky, limiting his influence on other party members. Stalin’s tactics meant that, by 1927, Trotsky was no longer a threat.
(b) Why was there a struggle for power after Lenin’s death? [6]
(1) Trotsky unpopular
Trotsky was not popular with the Politburo and the old Bolsheviks as he had not joined the party until 1917, having been a Menshevik. He was mistrusted.’
‘Kamenev and Zinoviev disliked Trotsky and disagreed with his political views.’
(2) Stalin ability to win support
Stalin’s ability to win support allowed him to win the power struggle after Lenin’s death. Stalin had built a support base before Lenin’s death. Trotsky underestimated Stalin because he appeared dull and hard working. But Stalin had built up a power base. He was General Secretary and appointed officials who supported him.
(3) Stalin chief manipulator
Between 1924 and 1929, Stalin manipulated the left and right of the party to remove his political rivals. Stalin successfully presented himself as Lenin’s close follower such as chief mourner at his
funeral. Stalin tricked Trotsky into not attending.’
‘Stalin was a clever tactician, playing one group off against the other in the Politburo.’ Stalin’s idea for the future was more popular. He promoted ‘socialism in one country’. Trotsky believed in ‘permanent, or world revolution’. Trotsky’s approach was less favoured.’ This ability to manipulate allowed Stalin to win the leadership contest. This is because he managed to isolate Trotsky, limiting his influence on other party members. Stalin’s tactics meant that, by 1927, Trotsky was no longer a threat.
