Lenins death in 1924 and the power struggle

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  • Created by: robear
  • Created on: 21-03-23 20:23

Lenins death in 1924 and the power struggle

Causes

  • Lenins health declines in 1921
  • Lenin has the first of many strokes in 1922
  • in 1923 lenin writes his testement
  • In 1924 Lenin dies and his testement is given to the poliburo
  • Lenin's testament insulted all of the party members and left no room for any indication of who was to be the next leader. The party was not democratic and the politburo was the most powerful body within the party

Effects

  • Other prominent party members look for the new leader. The most notable options being - trotsky, stalin, zinoviev, kamenev and bukharin
  • Another clear indication of his health beginning to decline
  • it is made clear that Lenin cannot return to power and will not be back in government
  • Lenin's death turned him into a sort of diety, his ideals and leadership has underpinned the communist party and he was seen by many to be the reason for revolution. Upon his death petrograd was renamed leningrad and his statues put up everywhere
  • Lenin's death made the power struggle more evident and his testament was meant to be publicized but was not to it's offensive nature to all possible leaders. There was a belief that if this was made public it would damage the party image significantly.
  • Lenin described Stalin as incompetent, Trotsky as arrogant and to prone to violence. Zinoviev and Kamenev were accused of being disloyal to the party and Bukharin was said to be not understanding of party views
  • The Politburo was left to judge who would be the next party leader and struggled to be impressed by all possible candidates

Overall summary

Lenin's death sent shockwaves through the party and allowed for competition to brew in the face of no leader. There was rivalries beginning within the party and the need for new leadership advanced. The only way forward was to be a decision made under the politburo.   

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