Unit 4a - Europe of the Dictators, 1918-1941 (9489)
Institution
CIE
Book
Russia Under Tsarism and Communism 1881-1953
Stressed about the exam? Worried that Cambridge will throw you a curveball question?
These extensive essay plans helped me not only to get an A* but also the TOP IN THE WORLD award for A Level History and they can help you too.
They cover every point of the syllabus that can be asked as the...
Unit 4a - Europe of the Dictators, 1918-1941 (9489)
All documents for this subject (59)
2
reviews
By: freddie_alexander • 1 week ago
By: aaronkark6 • 1 year ago
Seller
Follow
nathanzhang
Reviews received
Content preview
A2 History Paper 4: Stalin’s Russia, 1924-41
1. Leadership struggle
To what extent does Stalin’s use of his position as General Secretary of the Communist Party explain his rise to
power by 1928? (15MJ42)
How far was Lenin responsible for Stalin’s rise to power? (16MJ41)
‘Brilliant opportunism rather than careful planning.’ To what extent does this explain Stalin’s rise to power?
(16ON42)
Assess the reasons why Stalin was able to accumulate so much power. (17MJ42)
How far was Stalin’s rise to power in Russia dependent on his skilful planning? (18ON41)
To what extent was Trotsky responsible for Stalin’s rise to power? (19MJ41)
Analyse the reasons why Trotsky was unable to win the struggle for power with Stalin. (19ON43)
‘He was underestimated by his opponents.’ How far does this explain Stalin’s rise to power? (20ON42)
Analyse the reasons for Stalin gaining power by 1929. (21ON41-9489)
Analyse the reasons why Stalin had gained control of the Communist Party in the USSR by 1928. (22FM-9489)
‘Stalin came to power because Lenin failed to plan for his succession.’ Assess this view. (22MJ43-9489)
Causes of Stalin’s victory in the leadership struggle
● Lenin created conditions = foundation – St. advantages
○ appointments to positions of power, 1917-22
○ ban on factions, 1921
○ cult of personality – after 1918 assassination attempt & strokes
● Stalin’s opportunism & pragmatism = contingent – St. strengths
○ exploit General Secretary role 1922 – Lenin enrolment 260k
○ ‘Socialism in One Country’, 1924
○ ‘Great Turn’, 1928
● Stalin’s careful planning – St. strengths
○ took advantage of Lenin funeral, 1924 → successor to Lenin
○ cover up own failures & weaknesses – Georgian question, failures in S-P war
○ wife = a secretary for Lenin
● Trotsky’s mistakes = gifted St. opp. – others mistakes
○ absence at Lenin funeral, 1924
○ criticise party bureaucratisation, 1925
○ ‘Permanent Revolution’ weaknesses
● underestimated by other Bol. – others mistakes
○ did not publicise Lenin’s Testament, 1924
○ did not take advantage of arguments after Georgian question, 1921
○ United Opposition blindly disagreed w/ Stalin in NEP, 1926 → defeated in 1927 PC
● Trotsky’s weaknesses = undermined his credibility – others weaknesses
○ seen as dangerous ∵ control over RA & war hero in RCW
○ ex-Menshevik, Jewish background
○ complex personality → both confident & diffident – rejected Lenin offer for Dep. Chairman of
Sovnarkom 1917
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller nathanzhang. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for $11.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
