KT3 — Stalin's Rise and Dictatorship, 1924–41: 19

"What was the situation after Lenin's death (1924)?

There was no clear successor, so a power struggle began among the leading Bolsheviks, chiefly between Stalin and Trotsky."

"What were Stalin's strengths in the power struggle?

As General Secretary he controlled party appointments and membership, building loyal support; he was patient and cunning, and rivals underestimated him."

"What were Trotsky's weaknesses in the power struggle?

He was seen as arrogant and a latecomer to Bolshevism, was feared as a possible military dictator, and was repeatedly outmanoeuvred by Stalin."

"Who were Stalin's main rivals?

Trotsky, plus Kamenev and Zinoviev (the 'Left') and Bukharin (the 'Right') - all defeated by Stalin one after another."

"How did Stalin remove his rivals (1924-28)?

Through shifting alliances: he first sided with Kamenev and Zinoviev against Trotsky, then with Bukharin against them, then dropped Bukharin too - leaving himself supreme by 1929."

"What were the purges?

Stalin's 1930s campaign to remove suspected 'enemies' - party members, army officers and ordinary people - through arrest, imprisonment or execution."

"Why did Stalin launch the purges?

To destroy rivals and possible threats, secure total control, and spread fear that prevented any opposition; the murder of Kirov (1934) was used as a trigger."

"What were the consequences of purging the armed forces?

Around three-quarters of senior officers were removed, severely weakening the Red Army just before the Second World War."

"What was the NKVD?

Stalin's secret police, who arrested, tortured and executed suspects and ran the system of labour camps."

"What were the gulags?

Brutal forced-labour camps where millions of prisoners were sent in terrible conditions; huge numbers died from cold, hunger and overwork."

"What were the show trials (1936-38)?

Public trials in which leading Old Bolsheviks (such as Kamenev, Zinoviev and Bukharin) were forced to confess to invented crimes and were then executed."

"What was socialist realism?

The official Stalinist art style - paintings, films, books and posters that glorified Stalin, heroic workers and the achievements of communism."

"How did Stalin control education and religion?

Schools taught communist ideas and Stalin's rewritten version of history, while religion was attacked, churches were closed and priests were persecuted."

"What was media censorship under Stalin?

The state controlled all newspapers, radio and books; nothing critical was allowed, and history was rewritten to glorify Stalin - even editing Trotsky out of photographs."

"What was the 1936 Constitution?

A constitution that looked democratic, promising rights and elections, but in reality kept the Communist Party in total control - it was largely propaganda."

"What was the Cult of Stalin (Cult of Personality)?

The deliberate creation of an image of Stalin as a god-like, all-wise and heroic leader to be admired and obeyed by the people."

"Why did Stalin create his Cult of Personality?

To strengthen and justify his power and make people loyal through admiration as well as fear."

"How was the Cult of Stalin achieved?

Through constant propaganda: portraits and statues everywhere, cities renamed (e.g. Stalingrad), rewritten history, and films, songs and poems praising him."

"EXAM SKILL: How would you answer 'Explain why Stalin was able to become leader of the USSR' (12 marks)?

Three reasons, each explained: (1) his role as General Secretary controlling the party machine, (2) the divisions and weaknesses of his rivals, (3) Trotsky's personal mistakes and unpopularity."