SECTION THREE, ch9: power vacuum and struggle Flashcards
(21 cards)
what was collective leadership?
marxist theory - never envisaged a single leader as necessary in a socialist state.
what was the party view towards collective leadership after Lenin’s death?
many felt it was now time to abandon the strong central leadership principle. whilst this was justifiable in the civil war to safeguard their rule it was no longer required. they wanted a committee of equals. it was mainly advanced by those who feared Trotsky.
what was the power vacuum like in the 2 years before Lenin’s death?
after Lenin’s first stroke in 1922 left him seriously incapacitated, 1922-3 triumvirate of Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin formed to block ambitions of Trotsky and prevent his ascendancy.
what was Lenin’s testament?
political will setting out his view of future dangers, supposed to be read at party congress after death. assessment of colleagues of inner circle, cast doubt over all men who might’ve succeeded him.
how is Stalin described in the testament?
should appoint a new G.S who is “more tolerant, more loyal, more polite and more considerate”
how is Trotsky described in the testament?
“exceptional abilities”, “most able man in the CC”, “too far-reaching self confidence”
how is Bukharin described in the testament?
“most valuable and greatest theoretician”, views not fully marxist
stalin’s strengths
- crucial position of g.s at time when bureaucracy growing allowed him to gain loyalty of trusted subordinates
- underrated by opponents and good at concealing intentions
- deliberately placed himself close to lenin in 1922-3, could claim he knew his desires and aims
stalin’s weaknesses
- most colleagues saw him as crude and violent, supported be lenin’s criticism of him as people’s commissar for nationalities
- played only minor role in 1917 revolution, overshadowed by those of greater prominence or popularity
- colleagues knew lenin had turned against him even though testament wasn’t revealed
trotsky’s strengths
- brilliant intellectual and theorist, inspiring speechmaker
- energetic man of action during revolution and civil war
- formidable political skills: ruthlessness, authority and organisational ability
trotsky’s weaknesses
- many bolsheviks feared him, could use hold over red army to seize control
- had been a menshevik, late comer - suspicious
- no serious attempt to build base of support
- inconsistent and opportunist, opposed triumvirate but later allied with z+k
- tended to fall ill at critical moments eg lenin’s funeral
kamenev’s strengths
- one of old bolsheviks who had helped form party policy and close to lenin: 1922 after stroke entrusted personal papers to him
- strong power base in moscow
- regarded as thoughtful and intelligent, good at smoothing out difficulties, got things done
kamenev’s weaknesses
- gained rep for inconsistency and opportunism by opposing lenin in 1917 and later switching alliances between s+t
- closely linked to zinoviev whose popularity overshadowed him
- seen as too soft, lacked drive to be a leader
zinoviev’s strengths
- as an old bolshevik commanded respect for contribution to revolution
- been high in lenin’s favour, “close and most trusted assistant”
- strong political base in leningrad, 2nd to moscow
zinoviev’s weaknesses
- opposition to lenin over coup timing and joint resignation with k+r nov 1917 held against him
- left it too late before allying with trotsky
bukharin’s strengths
- popular within party: close to lenin, friendly with trotsky , close associate of and respected by stalin
- widely regarded as best theoretician
- expert on economics and agriculture at a time when debates over peasantry a major concern
bukharin’s weaknesses
- tried to remain on good terms with everyone, avoided factional infighting: no power base
- tactical mistakes like leaving it too late to make alliance with z+k
rykov’s strengths
- widely respected in party for experience as old bolshevik
- shown administrative skills in implementing war communism and managing switch to nep
- extensive support from sovnarkom: chose him as deputy chairman and then chairman
rykov’s weaknesses
- conciliator more than a plotter, among moderates - overshadowed by bukharin’s abilities and popularities
- largely ceremonial position in collective leadership, lacked power base
- argued with lenin over revolutionary tactics 1917, held against him
tomsky’s strengths
- respected as old bolshevik, working class background meant he was popular in party
- natural ally of moderate leaders
- role as chief spokesman for trade unions = strong position in party
tomsky’s weaknesses
- intense hostility to stalin blinded him to trotsky’s danger
- power base in trade unions made him target of stalins
- support for nep used against him when grain crisis of 1927 occured
