Stalins rise to power 1924-1929 Flashcards
(44 cards)
1
Q
When was the Triumvirate established ?
A
1922
2
Q
Who made up the Triumvirate ?
A
Zioniev, Kamanev and Stalin
3
Q
What was the main aim of the Triumvirate ?
A
to block the ambitions of Trotsky
4
Q
Apart from the Triumvirate who was also involved in the power struggle ?
A
Bukharin, Rykov, Tomsky and Radek
5
Q
What was Lenin’s Testament ?
A
this was Lenin’s assessment of his colleagues in his inner circle of the party leadership. He was critical of most men who had hope of succeeded him. However he was most critical of Stalin due to his dissent in Georgia and that he insulted Lenin’s wife. He criticised everyone suggesting that Lenin wanted a collective leadership. The triumvirate hearing of this testament convinced their colleagues to not publish it as it would affect them negatively in the power struggle
6
Q
What were the strengths of Stalin in gaining power ?
A
- held a crucial position as General secretary, therefore gaining the loyalty of trusted subordinates
- worked hard to master the theories of Marxism and Leninism
- good at concealing his true intentions
7
Q
What were the weaknesses of Stalin gaining power ?
A
- many colleagues saw him as rude and violent
- Lenin’s testament
- had only a minor role in the 1917 revolution, overshadowed by others such as Trotsky who played a more prominent role
8
Q
Who made up the left side during the power struggle ?
A
Zinoviev
Kamenev
Trotsky
9
Q
What were the strengths of Trotsky gaining power ?
A
- held power and prestige due to his achievements in the revolutions and civil war
- extraordinary organiser
- exceptional ideologist and theorist
10
Q
What were the weakness of Trotsky gaining power ?
A
- many Bolsheviks feared Trotsky as they believed he use his hold over the red army and seize power
- ‘old Bolsheviks’ disliked him as he was previously a Menshevik who converted to bolshevism
- many disliked his arrogance
11
Q
What were the strengths of Kamenev gaining power ?
A
- he was an old Bolshevik who was close to Lenin, therefore held great influence
- had a strong power base in Moscow, where he ran the local party
- intelligent, good at smoothing difficulties amongst colleagues
12
Q
What were the weaknesses of Kamenev gaining power ?
A
- he was seen and untrustworthy due to at times oppose Lenin and later switching alliances between Trotsky and Stalin.
- underestimated his rivals such as Stalin
- he was too soft lacking the drive to be a sole leader
13
Q
What were the strengths of Zinoviev gaining power ?
A
- he was a chairman of the Comintern congress
- he was an old Bolshevik, had influence due to his contribution in the revolution
- had a strong political power base due to being party boss in Leningrad
14
Q
What were the weakness of Zinoviev gaining power ?
A
- underestimated his rivals
- his opposition of Lenin due to his timing of the Bolshevik coup was held against him
15
Q
Who made up the right during the power struggle ?
A
Bukharin
Tomsky
Rykov
16
Q
What were the strengths of Bukharin during the power struggle ?
A
- popular within the party, close to Lenin and for a while friends with Trotsky and was associated with Stalin who respected him
- best theoretician within the party
- an expert on economics and agriculture
17
Q
What were the weakness of Bukharin during the power struggle ?
A
- he had no power base due to the fact that he was trying to be in good terms with everyone
- underestimated Stalin
18
Q
What were the strengths of Rykov during the power struggle ?
A
- was an old Bolshevik therefore widely respected
- he implemented War Communism and managed the switching policy between War Communism and NEP
- chairman of Sovnarkom
19
Q
What were the weaknesses of Rykov during the power struggle ?
A
- he overshadowed by Bukharin’s ability and popularity
- he had lacked a power base
- he argued against Lenin about revolutionary tactics in 1917 which was held against him
20
Q
What were the strengths of Tomsky during the power struggle ?
A
- he was an old Bolshevik therefore widely respected
- had a strong position within the party due to being chief spokesman for the trade unions
21
Q
What were the weakness of Tomsky during the power struggle ?
A
- underestimated Stalin due to his intense hostility with Trotsky
*
22
Q
What were the main problems arising after Lenin’s death ?
A
- if the NEP should continue. As the NEP has capitalistic aspect such as private trade which went against socialism. However was seen as necessary to build up the Russian economy
- the issue of world revolution. Marxism states that revolution cant survive in just one country and that it has to spread before the capitalist states destroy it. However this theory was contradicted by revolutions in Germany being suppressed and the defeat in the Russo-polish war making Russia the only communist state in Europe.
23
Q
What were the rights views with the NEP ?
A
they wanted to continue it
24
Q
What were the left views with the NEP ?
A
they wanted to abandon the NEP
25
What was Stalin's views with the NEP ?
he was fluctuating between both sides
26
What were the left views with world revolution ?
they still supported permanent revolution
27
What was Stalin's views about world revolution ?
he went against and propose a ' socialism in one country' policy
28
How did Stalin become party leader ?
* due to the fact that he had established a central position in the party leadership
* Lenin's funeral strengthened his position even further. He promoted cult of Leninism and made it into a religion. Made to seem as if he was a close friend of Lenin and the right man to assert power
* Trotsky was not present suffering from influenza, reducing his prominence
29
How was Trotsky defeated in the power struggle ?
* during the 13th party congress was a great opportunity to move against Trotsky. However he hesitated, this potentially because he was scared to be blamed for a split within the party or he believed their could be a better opportunity later.
* he was forced out of his post as Peoples commissar of war and became isolated
* in 1927 the central committee voted for Trotsky to be expelled
30
How was Kamenev and Zinoviev defeated in the power struggle ?
* they became increasingly frustrated with Stalin due to their failure to control him, thus weakening the Triumvirate.
* Zinoviev and Kamenev opposed Stalin at the central committee of 1925 and this led to them initiating a direct attack on him
* Zinoviev and Kamenev were blamed for factionalism
* in 1927 the central committee voted for Trotsky to be expelled
*
31
What happened in 1926 of the power struggle ?
two sides arose. The Duumvirate, this was an alliance with Stalin and Bukharin and the left opposition, consisting of Kamenev, Zinoviev and Trotsky
32
When did the literacy discussion occur ?
1926
33
What was the literacy discussion ?
this was a war of words between the Duumvirate and the left opposition. Which the left opposition lost with Stalin appealing to the majority of party members
34
How was Bukharin defeated in the power struggle ?
he was defeated due to his sympathetic views on peasants and the NEP amidst food shortages. This led to divisions between him and Stalin and Stalin imposed harsher measures on peasants wanting them to increase grain supplies. This led to further conflict with the rapid industrialisation and how Bukharin disagreed with this and wanted it done at a slower pace. He fought he would get the support of the party but didn't leading him to become isolated. He made an alliance with Tomsky and Rykov to take down Stalin and failed leading Bukharin to be expelled from the politburo in 1929.
35
What were the reasons for the Great turn ?
* their needed to be an increase in production to improve the quality of goods. Both peasants and workers were facing unemployment, food shortages and bad living standards
* the NEP was industrialising the Russian economy too slowly, wanted to strengthen USSR's military to be less reliant on foreign imports
* grain production was low, peasants were blamed for hoarding their grain to wait for better prices
36
What was the impact of the Great Turn ?
* led to an economic and social revolution which would have a lasting effect on the soviet economy and its people
* had an impact on the power struggle with the point of the NEP causing a divide between Bukharin and Stalin
37
When did the Stalin Cult arise ?
1929
38
What was the Stalin cult ?
Stalin was seen as a God in society. A 'great helmsmen' steering Russia through the dangers threatening them. Praising Lenin and being viewed as his rightful heir made it easy for people to support his policies
39
What happened in China in 1921 ?
The CCP wanted to carry out a communist revolution in China and wanted Russia's support, however Stalin preferred to back Guomindang, who he believed would bring stability to key areas on Russia's eastern borders. He wanted the CCP to join forces with Goumindang.
40
What happened when the CCP and Guomindang joined forces ?
Guomindang massacred striking workers and establish a working dictatorship. Stalin further supported them by giving them financial backing and military help.
41
What were the effects of Russia's involvement in China ?
the link between the CCP and Russia became weaker, losing a key communist Allie. However even though this was criticised by the left. Stalin's policy of socialism in one country was still popular within the party
42
When was the Treaty of Berlin signed ?
1926
43
What was the Treaty of Berlin ?
it was mainly a continuation of the Treaty of Rapallo and continued peaceful relations with Germany. This came with financial benefits with Russia receiving financial credits from German banks
44
What happened at the sixth comintern congress in 1928 ?
Stalin completely changed his foreign policy from socialism in one country to world revolution. Stating that state capitalism was at a low time low and it was time to attack anti-social democratic parties in Europe also known as social fascists.
