To what extent was Stalin’s success in the power struggle after Lenin’s death due to Trotsky’s errors of judgement?

Created by: ClydeandBonnie
Created on: 16-01-24 15:08


	To what extent was Stalin’s success in the power struggle after Lenin’s death due to Trotsky’s errors of judgement?
	Advantages Trotsky assumed his position was secure: 1922, a triumvirate of Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin formed to counter his view that there should be debate over issues (party democracy) within the inner circle of the party elite. (The triumvirate took anti- ‘factionalism’ stance). He relied on his REPUTATION as an excellent theorist and made no attempt to act against opposition. He did not want Lenin's Testaments to be published as it portrayed him as an 'over-confident' man and one who was not always a Bolshevik. He also did not dispel rumours that he was relying on the Red Army to form a coup. He made an error in not attending Lenin's funeral - gave Stalin the opportunity to pose as Lenin's successor. He failed to appreciate Stalin's rise in power as Party Secretary. He hesitated to act against Stalin in the 1924 Party Congress out of fear of splitting the party. He was outspoken and appeared intolerant in economic debates.	Disadvantages The power struggle only came about due to Lenin failing to provide a successor. As Trotsky had done so much for the Civil War, him thinking that he was going to be successor was somewhat justified. The power struggle was largely due to Stalin's own ambition and manoeverings. Stalin's victory was ideological - 'Socialism in one country' Zinoviev and Kamenev also underestimated Stalin so it was dependent on far more than just Trotsky's failings.
	Evaluation As such, there is evidence to suggest that it was Trotsky's failings that lead to the Power Struggle and Stalin as a successor; however, the other mistakes made by the other Party members must also be taken into consideration.

To what extent was Stalin’s success in the power struggle after Lenin’s death due to Trotsky’s errors of judgement?

Advantages

Trotsky assumed his position was secure: 1922, a triumvirate of Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin formed to counter his view that there should be debate over issues (party democracy) within the inner circle of the party elite. (The triumvirate took anti- ‘factionalism’ stance). He relied on his REPUTATION as an excellent theorist and made no attempt to act against opposition.
He did not want Lenin's Testaments to be published as it portrayed him as an 'over-confident' man and one who was not always a Bolshevik. He also did not dispel rumours that he was relying on the Red Army to form a coup.
He made an error in not attending Lenin's funeral - gave Stalin the opportunity to pose as Lenin's successor.
He failed to appreciate Stalin's rise in power as Party Secretary.
He hesitated to act against Stalin in the 1924 Party Congress out of fear of splitting the party.
He was outspoken and appeared intolerant in economic debates.

Disadvantages

The power struggle only came about due to Lenin failing to provide a successor.
As Trotsky had done so much for the Civil War, him thinking that he was going to be successor was somewhat justified.
The power struggle was largely due to Stalin's own ambition and manoeverings.
Stalin's victory was ideological - 'Socialism in one country'
Zinoviev and Kamenev also underestimated Stalin so it was dependent on far more than just Trotsky's failings.

Evaluation

As such, there is evidence to suggest that it was Trotsky's failings that lead to the Power Struggle and Stalin as a successor; however, the other mistakes made by the other Party members must also be taken into consideration.

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To what extent was Stalin’s success in the power struggle after Lenin’s death due to Trotsky’s errors of judgement?

To what extent was Stalin’s success in the power struggle after Lenin’s death due to Trotsky’s errors of judgement?

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To what extent was Stalin’s success in the power struggle after Lenin’s death due to Trotsky’s errors of judgement?

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