Stalin's Rise to Power

Nadezha Krupskaya

Lenin's wife, argued with Stalin

Triumvirate (or troika)

The group of Stalin, Kamenev and Zinoviev that worked to block Trotsky

Evidence that Lenin trusts Stalin

Lenin appointed Stalin into the Sovnarkom and Politburo and he was General-Secretary of the party and previously People's Commissar of Nationalities

A Bolshevik for 20 years

Important commander or the Red Army in the Civil War

Evidence that Lenin disliked Stalin

Stalin was strongly criticised in the last testament

Lenin and Trotsky criticised Stalin for crushing Georgian independence by force

Stalin insulted Krupskaya

Strengths of Lev Kamenev replacing Lenin

Old Bolshevik- helped form Party policies

Lenin trusted his personal papers to him

Strong power base in Moscow- ran the local Party

Thoughtful and intelligent

Power base

A position from which a politician can exert control

Alexi Rykov

A key original Bolshevik, victim of Stalin purges

Weaknesses of Lev Kamenev replacing Lenin

Inconsistent and opportunistic

Opposed Lenin in 1917

Switched alliance between Stalin and Trotsky

Soft, lacking drive to be sole leader

Underestimated rivals

Closely linked with Zinoviev who was more popular

Strengths of Grigory Zinoviev replacing Lenin

Party's best speechmaker

Commanded respect due to his contribution to the revolution

Old Bolshevik

Lenin's 'closest and most trusted assistant'

Party boss in Leningrad- power base 2nd important

Influential

Head of Comintern

Part of Triumvirate

Weaknesses of Grigory Zinoviev replacing Lenin

Opposed Lenin over timing of Bolshevik coup was held against him

Underestimated rivals

Switched support to Trotsky too late

Strengths of Nikolai Bukharin replacing Lenin

Popular within the party

Close with Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin- much respect

Best theoretician

Expert on economics and agriculture

Weaknesses of Nikolai Bukharin replacing Lenin

Had no power bases- avoided factional fighting

Underestimated rivals

Popularity made him Stalin's target

Late to make an alliance with Zinoviev and Kamenev

Strength of Mikhail Tomsky replacing Lenin

Old Bolshevik

Chief spokesperson of trade union- high standing

Natural ally of moderate leaders like Rykov and Bukharin

Weaknesses of Mikhail Tomsky replacing Lenin

Hated Trotsky to the point of supporting Stalin

Powerbase in trade union which made Stalin jealous

Support for the NEP used against him in the 1927 grain crisis

Strength of Josef Stalin replacing Lenin

General Secretary of the Party- gained loyal subordinates

Worked hard to master Marxism-Leninism

Underrated by his opponents, good at concealing intentions

Deliberately was close to Lenin during his illness, claiming he knew what Lenin wanted

Fear of Trotsky allowed an alliance with Zinoviev and Kamenev

Weakness of Josef Stalin replacing Lenin

Crude and violent- after his actions as People's Commissar for Nationalities

Minor role in 1917 revolution, overshadowed by others

Colleagues knew that Lenin turned against Stalin

Strength of Leon Trotsky replacing Lenin

Power and prestige from the revolution and the Civil War

Good theorist, speechmaker, organiser and intellect

Man of action

Formidable political skills, ruthlessness, authority and organisational ability

Weaknesses of Leon Trotsky replacing Lenin

Arrogant, dismissive of people with lesser abilities

Uninvolved in Party administration

Underestimated Stalin

Made no serious attempt to build a base of support

Inconsistent and opportunistic, opposed Triumvirate but later joined without Stalin

Serious errors of judgment such as attacking the bureaucracy in 1924 though he needed their support

Prone to illness

Many feared him because he could use the Red Army

Previously a Menshevik

Strength of Alexi Rykov replacing Lenin

Widely respected for being an 'Old Bolshevik'; active since early days of revolution

Shown administrative ability by implementing war communism and switched to NEP

Extensive support from the Sovnarkom; chosen as Deputy Chairman in 1924 and Chairman 1924

Weakness of Alexi Rykov replacing Lenin

Overshadowed as a moderate by Bukharin

A mediator

Held a ceremonial position; lacked a power base

Put heavy taxes on Vodka

Argued against Lenin over revolutionary tactics in 1917 held against him

Underrated Stalin

What was the situation in China in 1926

Chinese Communist Party (CCP) formed in 1921 hoped to carry a communist revolution

What did Stalin do about the revolution in China

Pressured the Politburo into accepting the Guomindang into Comintern

Financially and militarily backed Jiang Jieshi of GMD

What did the GMD do in 1926 and 1927

March 1926- GMD massacred striking workers in Canton, established military dictatorship

April 1927 GMD suppressed communist-led workers' revolt in Shanghai- thousands killed

GMD- 1927 massacred striking workers in Wuhan c30,000

Situation between Russia and Germany 1920s

Russia and Germany had good relations after Treaty of Rapallo

Treaty of Berlin when and what was it

1926

Rapallo as basis of friendly relations; if attacked by third country the other will remain neutral; won't join any economic boycott that may harm the other; remain for 5 years

What did Russia receive from Germany in Treaty of Berlin

Lareg financial credits

Was Stalin's skills & character the main reason

Politically skilful and cunning

He controlled appointments

Stalin's skill and character that lead to victory

Politically skilful and cunning, personal characteristics

Controlled appointments and membership

Genera Secretary in Politburo and Orgburo

Tricked Trotsky into missing Lenin's funeral

Down to earth, practical- suited for managing bureaucracy

Loyal- prolitarian

Stalin's policies which lead to victory

Socialism in One Country more popular

Appointed his supporters to key positions

Responsive to the mood of the time

Moderator

Many supported his rapid industrialisation and anti-NEP later in 1920s

How did mistakes by opponents cause Stalin to win

Trotsky switched from Menshevik to Bolshevik- 'not a true Bolshevik'

Trotsky was rude