Making and breaking alliances

1923-25

1925-28

1928-29

Government

Triumvirate

• Zinoviev

• Kamenev

• Stalin

Duumvirate

• Bukharin

• Stalin

Stalin

Opposition

Left opposition

• Trotsky

United opposition

• Trotsky

• Zinoviev

• Kamenev

Right opposition

• Bukharin

Triumvirate vs Left Opposition

• Formed to prevent Trotsky seizing power
• In 1924, at the 13th Party Congress, the Triumvirate defended the NEP against Trotsky's left-wing alternative - this was repeated a year later at the 14th Party Congress
• Trotsky's failure to win the vote appeared to be…