Stalin's rise to power

Question 1

The elimination of opponents

Answer 1

Between 1923 and 1928, Stalin was engaged in a struggle for power against Trotsky, Bukharin and Zinoviev.
In order to win, Stalin used a series of tactics.

Question 2

What tactics did Stalin use?
(elimination of opponents)

Answer 2

• Stalin had to establish that he, rather than the other contenders, was a true Leninist -established a new ideological orthodoxy.
• Established dominance over the Politburo. Under Lenin, members of the Politburo had been free to debate policies. Stalin expelled his main rivals from the Politburo and packed it with his supporters.
• Used patronage to win support in the Party, he could give well paid and powerful jobs to his supporters. He had the power to investigate and, if necessary, sack Party members and government officials.
• Stalin had the right to use terror against anyone who was disloyal.

Question 3

The purges of the 1930s
(causes)

Answer 3

By 1928, Stalin was undisputed leader of the Communist Party and the Soviet Union.
At that time, he expelled Trotsky from the Communist Party and the Soviet Union, and placed Zinoviev under house arrest.
However, the Party was still full of people who had supported Stalin’s rivals - Stalin feared he would lose power.
moreover, Stalin’s economic policies had created economic chaos, and Sergei Kirov, head of the Communist Party in Leningrad, had emerged as a popular figure within the Party.

Question 4

The purges of the 1930s
(extent)

Answer 4

Stalin responded to these threats by launching the Great Terror - a campaign of arrests, torture, mass imprisonments and executions.
The Great Terror was at its height from 1935 to 1938.
It was responsible for the deaths of around 10 million Soviet citizens, approximately 10% of the population.

Question 5

The purges of the 1930s
(political consequences)

Answer 5

Eliminated Stalin’s old political rivals.
The three public show trials that took place in 1936, 1937 and 1938.
They led to the humiliation and execution of Zinoviev, Bukharin and Trotsky’s main supporters.
Led to the death or imprisonment of a whole generation of Communists who had known and worked with Lenin.
Stalin appointed a new generation of Party leaders who owed their positions to him, and were therefore loyal to Stalin alone.

Question 6

Personal dictatorship

Answer 6

Stalin terrorised the Communist Party.
This ended Party rule and established the personal rule of Stalin.
The Communist Party and the state had very limited authority.
By 1935, neither Party nor state could oppose Stalin.