A Level History - Russia chapter 9

What is a power vacuum?

when there is no identifiable central power or authority

When was Lenin's death?

January 1924

What was the Marxist-Leninist idea about how a country should be run?

should have collective leadership

When was the ban on factions?

1921

What was the notion of "party democracy"?

allowing dissent and debate within the inner circle of the party elite (but NOT outside this circle - still believed in suppression of rival parties)

When did the power vacuum start and why?

1922 - Lenin started having strokes and was incapacitated

When was the troika/triumvirate formed?

1922

Who was in the troika in 1922-1923?

Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin

Why was the troika formed?

to block the ambitions of Trotsky

When was Lenin's first stroke?

May 1922

Who were the main contenders in the power struggle? (7)

Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev, Stalin, Bukharin, Tomsky, Rykov

What was Lenin's Testament?

his 'political will' setting out his view of the future dangers in the form of a letter

When was Lenin's Testament meant to be read out?

at the Party Congress after his death

When did Lenin write a postscript to his Testament?

January 1923

Why did Lenin write a postscript to the Testament?

was a result of the phone call between Stalin and Krupskaya when Stalin was rude to her

Why was Lenin so critical of Stalin in the Testament? (2)

because of Stalin's brutal actions in crushing opposition in Georgia and his rudeness towards Krupskaya

What did Lenin mention about Zinoviev and Kamenev in the Testament that they didn't want read out?

voting against the October revolution in 1917 (they were the only two to do so)

What did Lenin mention about Trotsky in the Testament that he didn't want read out?

his "non-Bolshevism" - he had been a Menshevik before the July Days

What were Stalin's strengths in the power struggle? (4)

was general secretary, was part of the triumvirate, placed himself close to Lenin in 1922-23 so he claimed he knew what Lenin wanted, he had mastered the theories of Marxist-Leninism

When was Stalin made General Secretary?

April 1922

What were Stalin's weaknesses in the power struggle? (3)

seen as crude and violent by his opponents, had only played a minor role in the October revolution, Stalin's colleagues knew Lenin had turned against him (seen in the Testament)

What did Stalin become commissar for nationalities?

1918

What was Stalin referred to as by his colleagues? (2)

the "grey blur" and "comrade card index"

Who was seen as the biggest threat after Lenin's death?

Trotsky

What were Trotsky's strengths in the power struggle? (3)

was a great intellectual, theorist and orator, did a lot during the revolution (eg MRC) and the civil war(eg agit-prop train), was very politically skilled

What were Trotsky's weaknesses in the power struggle? (6)

was feared by many Bolsheviks for his hold over the red army, some were suspicious as he had been a Menshevik, was arrogant and disdainful, made no real attempt to build a base of support, fell ill at critical moments, seen as an opportunist (switching alliances)

What were Kamenev's strengths in the power struggle? (3)

was an "old Bolshevik" and had great influence, ran the Bolshevik party in Moscow and had a strong power base there, was seen as thoughtful and intelligent

Who were the "Old Bolsheviks"?

those who had been members of the party before 1917

What were Kamenev's weaknesses in the power struggle? (4)

was seen as an opportunist (switching alliances), seen as "too soft" and lacked drive to be a sole leader, seriously underestimated some of his rivals, opposed October revolution

What were Zinoviev's strengths in the power struggle? (4)

respected because he was an Old Bolshevik, was chairman of comintern congress, had been favoured by Lenin, was the leader of the party in Petrograd so had a strong power base

What were Zinoviev's weaknesses in the power struggle? (3)

opposed the October revolution, underestimated his opponents, left it too late before switching to joining Trotsky

Who was on the left of the party? (3)

Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev

Who was on the right of the party? (3)

Bukharin, Tomsky, Rykov

What were Bukharin's strengths in the power struggle? (4)

was popular in the party, was close to Lenin, was seen as the best theoretician in the party, was an expert on economics and agriculture (important because the peasantry was of concern to the Bolshevik party)

What were Bukharin's weaknesses in the power struggle? (3)

had no power base as he wanted to avoid factional fighting, greatly underestimated Stalin, left it too late to make an alliance with Z+K