Why did Stalin succeed Lenin and not Trotsky? Flashcards
(10 cards)
Why was Trotsky seen as Lenin’s obvious successor?
He organized the October 1917 seizure of power and led the Red Army in the Civil War.
Who supported Trotsky within the Bolshevik Party?
He was popular with younger Bolsheviks.
Why were Politburo members afraid of Trotsky?
They feared he would become a dictator like Napoleon due to his military influence.
What position did Stalin hold that gave him power in the party?
General Secretary (Gen Sec), which allowed him to appoint loyal supporters.
How did Stalin use Lenin’s death in 1924 to his advantage?
He organized the funeral, put Lenin’s body on display, and changed Petrograd to Leningrad to associate himself with Lenin’s legacy.
What did Stalin do to undermine Trotsky at Lenin’s funeral?
He gave Trotsky the wrong date, making him miss it and appear disrespectful.
How did Stalin promote a ‘cult of Lenin’?
He displayed Lenin’s body, had his brain studied by scientists, and renamed Petrograd to Leningrad.
How did Trotsky react to Stalin’s actions following Lenin’s death?
He was appalled but powerless to stop it.
Between 1924 and 1928, what did Stalin achieve politically?
He outmanoeuvred all his rivals, including Trotsky.
What two major ideological debates defined the power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky?
The NEP and ‘Socialism in One Country’ (Stalin) vs. ‘Permanent Revolution’ (Trotsky).
