The Power Struggle - Russia 1924

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  • Created by: LucyLaa
  • Created on: 22-04-18 15:08
What was the political situation after Lenin's death?
No obvious successor, and because of Lenin's cult of personality, whoever followed would be expected to follow Lenin's work.
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What were the main ideological causes of debate?
Purist Communism (e.g. Idealistic War Communism) vs. Pragmatic accomodation of Communism with Capitalism (e.g. NEP and a more gradual change)
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What was Socialism in One Country?
The idea to consolidate Socialism in Russia first, before spreading it globally.
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What was Permanent Revolution?
The global spread of Communism.
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State the Left-wing's ideology (3 things)
Reject NEP; Committed to immediate industrialisation; Permanent Revolution
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State the Right-wing's ideology (3 things)
Acceptance of NEP; Committed to industrialisation in the distant future; Socialism in One Country
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Why did the NEP cause a divide in the party?
Dilution of socialism --> Temporary in 1921, but for how long should it run? Became an issue of party loyalty e.g. Trotsky sceptically supported NEP in 1921, and openly criticised Gosplan in 1923. Stalin used this to criticise Trotsky.
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Why was the Left worried about 'bureaucratic degeneration'?
Trotsky believed that Lenin Enrolment had made the Communists bureaucrats and not revolutionaries.
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Why was the Right worried about 'Bonapartism'?
Believed Trotsky to be a threat, as there were significant parallels between him and Napoleon Bonaparte. Many were concerned that he would become a military dictator (in 1927, Trotsky had said he would become dictator if Russia were attacked)
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How did Stalin accumulate power within the Communist Party?
Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party in 1912, made editor of Pravda, given a seat on Executive Committee of Petrograd Soviet, Commissar for Nationalities --> then in charge of Orgburo, and elected to Politburo, General Secretary 1922
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How did Stalin use Lenin's funeral to advance his position?
He told Trotsky the wrong date, so he arrived the day after.
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Who were the other key contenders?
Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev, Rykov, Tomsky, Bukharin
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Who was in the Triumvirate against Trotsky?
Kamenev, Zinoviev, and Stalin
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Why did Stalin win the power struggle?
1. Socialism in One Country was easy to sell. 2. Stalin was underestimted. 3. Trotsky was overconfident. 4. Stalin kept his views private, making him more agreeable. 5. Trotsky unable to persuade intellectual equals.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What were the main ideological causes of debate?

Back

Purist Communism (e.g. Idealistic War Communism) vs. Pragmatic accomodation of Communism with Capitalism (e.g. NEP and a more gradual change)

Card 3

Front

What was Socialism in One Country?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What was Permanent Revolution?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

State the Left-wing's ideology (3 things)

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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