The Power Struggle Following Lenin's Death

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The Power Struggle Following Lenin's Death

Advantages

  • Trotsky: Inspirational military leader; support of the red army, support from some because he was responsible for peace after WW1
  • Stalin: His position as general secretary meant that he was able to put his supporters into positions of authority, had support in the party because of Lenin enrolment and the cult of Lenin, had a humble background, promoted socialism in one country, stayed out the NEP arguments, he was a skilled politician
  • Bukharin: He was popular within the party, particularly with Lenin, editor of the Pravda after Oct. 1917; his views spread
  • Kamenev: Had a wide support base because of the Moscow Soviet
  • Zinoviev: Had a wide support base because of the Petrograd Soviet, he was a close associate with Lenin

Disadvantages

  • Trotsky: The amount of losses after WW1 meant that he had some opposition, he promoted World Revolution, had been a Menshevik, wasn't a natural politician
  • Stalin: Lenin had said in his testament that Stalin had too much power and had wanted him removed from his position as General Secretary
  • Bukharin: He wasn't a natural politician and had headed the first communist opposition group
  • Kamenev: He had voted against the October uprising and had clashed with Lenin
  • Zinoviev: He had voted against the October uprising and he had many political enemies because of his level of ambition

Evaluation

Stalin became leader of the communist party because he was simply a better politician; he promoted the cult of Lenin and policies which he knew that the people of Russia would become receptive to. He was also able to play his opponents off against each other, in the meantime ensuring that Lenin's testament was never published. He as also able to use his position as an administrator (which his opponents had underestimated) to his advantage, as he was able to place his supporters into some of the best positions in the party.

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