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Booklet 3 (Stalin's rise to power, )
Mind maps covering The power vacuum and power struggle, ideological debates and issues in the leadership struggle, economic developments, and government propaganda and foreign relations.
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14th Party Congress - NEP maintained 15th Party Congress -'industrialisation congress', called though concerns were announcement of end of NEP &
for transformation of the country start of 1st FYP for rapid
raised.
from agricultural to industrial, industrialisation (known as 'The
capable of self-sufficiency. Great Turn').
Dec 1927
1925 1926
The NEP had been a key issue in the power struggle; Stalin
recognised that Trotsky's attitude could be used to indicate he
was deviating from Marxist thinking. (In 1923, he had criticised
Gosplan for its 'flagrant radical errors' & disliked NEPmen, Reasons for Great Turn
wanting a return to tighter state control. Said NEP 1. Increase military strength - an unindustrialised country was a weak one, needed to fight a modern war (By 1930 Stalin
undermined gains of rev & War Communism. convinced West would attack him.
2. Move towards a socialist society - According to Marxism, socialism could only be achieved in a highly industrialised state
(in 1928, only 28% of population were workers).
3. To improve standards of living - Industrialisation created societal wealth, Stalin wanted to create a 'worker's paradise' to
promote communism to the world. Also couldn't afford resistance from workers.
4. Achieve self-sufficiency - reduce reliance on Western goods & strengthen USSR.
What was it? 5. Increase grain supplies - Urban workers needed food. Food could also be sold abroad to raise £ for industr. investment.
- In 1924, economy based on continuation of NEP which had achieved a degree of economic stability, but had 6. To prove himself as successor & equal to Lenin - by economically transforming USSR & taking the revolution forward it
struggled, e.g. Scissors crisis 1923. would give him prestige.
- The Great Turn (1927-1929) saw a dramatic shift in economic policy - NEP abandoned, new policies of rapid 7. NEP was failing to to produce the growth many leading communists had expected.
industrialisation & brutal enforcement of collectivisation of agriculture. 8. Huge crisis in grain procurement winter of 1927-28/'Crisis of the NEP' - (amount of grain purchased by gov. 25% down
- Industrial economy badly hit by WWI and Civil War. Industrial recovery after 1921 had been slow & patchy on previous years' total) A poor harvest in 1927 saw a grain reserve targets missed by 2.1 million tonnes.
despite Gosplan & Veshenka efforts. Production weakened by strikes, low levels of mechanisation etc...
Reasons for and impact of the 'Great Turn' of 1928-29
Payed a wage
- combined small directly by State Labourers classified as
individual farms in
In some larger Similar to peasant workers, not peasants
cooperative structure
Trotsky Zinoviev & Kamenev
Rykov & Tomsky
ones, schools
& clinics est.
communes in tsarist
Russia
From 1932, they could sell Often operated on land
surplus produce in a Seen by communist confiscated by state from estate
Kolkhozes Average Kolkhoz
collective farm market
(only free market allowed People's farm made up of c.75
purists as 'ideal'
form of farming
Sovkhozes owners, given to landless
peasants (became state-controlled
in USSR)
(majority of
families & their
State Farms workers)
livestock
collective
farms) collective agriculture Usually larger
was a key aspect of than Kolkhozes
communist ideology
Kolkhozes & Sovkhozes
Had to deliver a set Deemed particularly
quota of produce to Official expectation that all
suited to grain areas of
state (high, up to Kolkhozes would turn into
Lenin died 21st Had to share any Ukraine & Southern
SOME QUOTES
- Trotsky: "distinguished not only by outstanding ability" "perhaps the most
Stalin Bukharin Jan 1924, but the profit/goods left over 40% of crops) Russia Farms organised Sovkhozes
amongst all according according to industrial
capable man in the present C.C." "he has displayed excessive self-assurance - Lenin's succession was complicated: in Marxist-Leninist ideology power was to be shared by a collective leadership by a power vacuum
to their 'labour days' principles for large-
and...excessive preoccupation with the purely administrative side of the work" committee of equals. But, Lenin had proved a very forceful leader & a future without a single figure of authority was hard to had started to
that year scale production
- Stalin: "has unlimited authority concentrated in his hands" (General Secretary) imagine. form in 1922 (his
"too rude and this defect...becomes intolerable in a Secretary-General" "I - The 1921 ban on factions had cemented this idea of a leader. Clashed with those who believed in 'party democracy' (allowing first stroke) Each family can have a plot up
Develop heavy industry (coal,
dissent within inner circle of party elite), which is what Trotsky believed in. Stalin against 'factionalism' to maintain party unity. to 1 acre of land, rest of grain
suggest...a way of removing Stalin from that post" [we need someone] "more iron, steel, oil & machinery)
- Political ambitions & intense ideological differences caused a power struggle/vacuum after/around Lenin's death/illness. requisitioned
tolerant, more loyal, more polite...less capricious"
- Bukharin: "not only a most valuable and major theorist of the party" "also rightly - In 1922/23 'Triumvirate' of Z, K & Stalin had formed to block Trotsky.
Economic developments
considered the favourite of the whole party" "his theoretical views can be classified
Boost overall
as fully Marxist only with the great reserve" "something scholastic about him"
Big increase in agricultural production by 300%
- K & Z: "I shall just recall that the October episode with Zinoviev and Kamenev was,
of course, no accident" production to feed urban
- Lenin attempted to guide the transition from beyond the grave. Launch of the first Five Year Plan 1928 What was the vision?
Ideology and the nature of leadership workers
- In last year of his life, he made his Testament, a 'political will'. - Envisaged as only the beginning of a sustained industrial transformation through a series of
- It was supposed to be read out at the Party Congress after his death - BUT WASN'T. Stalin, K & Z who had all been heavily criticised FYP's.
persuaded their colleagues not to publish it (contained the political damage) but it was used as an underground threat when the power - Centralised planning maximised, setting systematic targets for ambitious increases in
STRENGTHS
1. good at gaining loyalty.
WEAKNESSES
1. Most saw him as
struggle developed after '24.
- Basically an assessment of his colleagues, he cast doubt over all (Z, K, B, T) but was especially harsh to Stalin (bc of his brutal actions in
output.
- Accompanied by lots of propaganda full of grandiose predictions of future success to
AIMS Improve transport
crude/violent generate enthusiasm.
2. Powerful as GS Georgia & he insulted Lenin's wife). Georgia: Stalin had lied about the defeat of the Georgian uprising during civil war, he said there'd been Lenin's testament system (esp. railways)
3. Underrated by his opponents/good at 2. Had only played a minor
a massive uprising in favour of the Bv's supported by Georgian people, but he had really just crushed them by force. Also verbally abused - Vast new industr. complexes planned (Magnitogorsk)
concealing his intentions
4. Had placed himself close to Lenin
role in 1917 rev Light industry, e.g.
during his illness (strategic) 3. Although Testament not Lenin's wife when he tried to stop her from seeing him. chemicals, household
5. Fear of Trotsky allowed him to fly
under radar/ride powerful alliances until published, people knew - goods (low priortiy), but
it was too late (Triumvirate) Lenin had turned against
STALIN expected to double its
him The power vacuum & power struggle
WEAKNESSES Position in the party: output
1. Many Bv's feared him (had a - At Lenin's death (1924), he was already in a strong position (part of Triumvirate & Transform society & economy
hold over Red Army) Divisions and contenders for power: character, strengths and weaknesses of Stalin, Trotsky, by electrification (target was 6x
General Secretary)
2. Had been a Mv, late convert to
- Had a vast knowledge of the expanding party machinery & had been wise in placing more by 1933)
Bv, Old Bv's suspicious.
TROTSKY
3. Badly underrated Stalin loyal supporters in key positions.
(arrogant). Position in the party:
How was he seen by party members? Decision to collectivise
4. Made no serious attempt to - In 1924, he was widely regarded as the most important man in the party, aside from - Collective farms had existed to a limited extent since 1918 (key aspect of communist ideology)
- More experiences members regarded him as intellectually inferior (son of a cobbler,
build support base in the party. Lenin. - Party debated between late 1927 - Dec 1929 culminated in decision to massively accelerate
basic education)
- He had played a major role in the Oct/Nov 1917 rev, organising the Red Guards & collectivisation (by force if necessary). Bukharinists vs. Stalinists
- Many of his allies (inc. Bukharin) used his pet nickname Koba and regarded him as In dealing with the grain procurement crisis, Stalin had focused on
the MRC & his role in the civil war (power & prestige). 3 factors behind the drive to collectivise
reasonable & reliable west Siberia & Urals (good harvests, but procurement down by 1/3.
- Many feared him, or disagreed with his philosophy, so tried to limit his power 1. Grain procurement crisis of 1927-28
- Jealous of others, but patient & good at keeping long-term aims hidden Kamenev - His officials & police went across the region closing free markets,
(Triumvirate). 2. Need for increased food supply to support urban workers in 1st FYP.
- Gained a reputation of being violent, immensely hard-working & expert in the details of using the criminal law to stop speculation (hoarding grain until prices
How was he seen by party members? 3. Ideological arguments that it was the right socialist path & 'rich peasants' were an obstacle. - During 1929 drive for forced collectiv. gained mom
bureaucratic organisation. STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES went up) & seizing grain by force.
- Extraordinary organiser, exceptional ideologist, speechmaker. 1. 'Old Bv' had helped form party Bukharin, Kamenev, Rykov, Tomsky and Zinoviev popularity from party members & local officials.
1. Gained a reputation for Stalin convinced this had been successful & was going to use it
- Arrogant & dismissive of those he saw as having lesser abilities. policy - member of 1st Politburo. - C.C. sent 25,000 workers to countryside to speed
2. Close to Lenin (L entrusted
'flip-flopping', during collectivisation.
- Prone to sudden bouts of illness & inaction (Lenin's funeral?) of collective farms.
many personal papers to him inconsistency, opportunism
- In December 1929 Stalin announced to the Par
1922) (1917 rev, then Trotsky to
3. Very strong power base policy of forced collectivisation/ 'deKulakisation
Stalin.
Tomsky in Moscow (ran the local party)
4. Regarded as capable,
2. Zinoviev more popular in Bukharin
them as a class'
intelligent, good at managing their parternship.
people. 3. Understimated Stalin
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
1. One of few 'Old Bvs' from a 1. Hated Trotsky so much, 1. Very likeable amongst all
working-class bg (popular) blinded him to Stalin (gave him
1. Had no power base (on
in party.
Rykov 2. Chief spokesman for trade power). good terms with everyone)
unions (powerful) 2. Power base in trade unions - Zinoviev 2. Close to Lenin (He called
him 'darling of the party').
2. Seriously Russia Booklet 3
3. Elected to C.C. & Politburo obvious target for Stalin's underestimated Stalin.
(1922) jealousy. 3. Widely regarded as best
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES STRENGTHS 3. Made tactical mistakes,
4. Allied with other moderates, 3. Support for NEP used against 1. Intelligent, one of Party's best theoretician in party.
1. Widely respected as an 'Old 1. Overshadowed among
Rykov, B... him in Grain Crisis (1927). WEAKNESSES e.g. left it too late to make
Bv' moderates like B. speechmakers. 4. Particular expert on
1. Opposition to 1917 Oct/Nov an alliance with Z & K.
2. Had shown administrative 2. Lacked a real power base - 2. Powerful - chairman of economics & agriculture.
rev & resignation (with K &
ability in War Communism & ceremonial position. Comintern Congress, Politburo
Rykov) held against him.
managing switch to NEP 3. Heavily taxing vodka policy member.
2. Underestimated Stalin & left it
3. Had support of Sovnarkom politically unwise - annoyed 3. 'Old Bv'
too long before switching their
(Deputy Chairman in 1923, party. 4. Close to Lenin pre-1924, he
support to Trotsky.
Chairman in 1924) 4. Underrated Stalin & had trusted Z.
3. Flipflopper also.
4. Politburo member. argued against L in 1917 rev. 5. Strong power base - party
boss in Leningrad (PG).
HIS STYLE OF GOV
- He had shown great political skill in the power struggle & had always understood the advantages of his central position
& his grip on the bureaucracy as General Secretary.
- Bureaucratic centralism was the key to his style of gov. (gov controlled from centre & factionalism was a crime against
the Party).
- His gov. was always presented as a continuation of Lenin's legacy; he painted himself as Lenin's closest comrade
(propaganda).
- He had a strategy of building up a group of loyal supporters in lower levels of Party who owed their position to him to
outmanoeuvre high-placed rivals.
- Fear was the driving force of Stalin's gov; the role of the secret police became more pervasive under Stalin, now OGPU
Stalin's style of gov & propaganda/start of Stalinist cult
under Menzhinsky (since 1926).
- Lenin's introduction of the NEP in 1921 had been a radical divergence from Marxism - Propaganda & repression also prevalent.
(allowed private enterprise to continue).
- He had called it a necessary compromise, to be implemented 'seriously and for a long
Broke with Marxism-Leninism ideology that assumed it time'
was impossible for revolution to survive in a single
- Party members now disgareed on whether to discard the NEP, or keep it going (build NEP and industrialisation
country. Said international rev was essential.
up the backwards economy as a precursor to full socialism).
(Had been contradicted by events like failed rev's in
Germany & Hungary, Russo-Polish war defeat blocked - Leftists (Trotsky, Z & K) wanted to abandon the NEP. - Chinese Co
path West. In 1920s, Russia only communist state in the - Rightists (Rykov, Tomsky, B) believed it should continue. - Wanted to
world - Stalin inconsistent: - BUT, Stalin
(for rapid movement)
abandon support the abandon
industrialisation Ideological debates and issues in the leadership struggle Stalin's chief representatives in foreign affairs borders (S w
NEP NEP NEP & collectivisation) Stalin's attitude to foreign powers: China were Chicherin & Litinov (moderates - useful in - Stalin push
Socialism in One Country maintaining 'safe' relations abroad.
- Argued by Stalin from 1923 in response to PR. 1924 1925 1928 1929
Stalin's main aim
- Bv Russia should aim to build a 'workers' paradise in the Soviet
in foreign affairs
Union as an example to the world. Russia had to be a powerful Permanent Revolution Government, propaganda and the beginning of the Stalinist cult was keeping Instability in China
socialist country first, irrespective of world affairs. - Trotsky (& leftists) 'Permanent revolution' versus 'Socialism in One Country' Russia safe while Very unstable after collapse of old Imperial GMD m
- Appealed to many in the party who wanted stability & feared - All resources & effort should be directed following 'Soc in 1 China in 1911, flared up again in 1925 & rise workers
the revolutionary turmoil advocated by Trotsky. towards spreading communism & revolution country' of an industrial working class led to mass dictator
across the world in order to solidify the Soviet strikes in big cities.
Union & USSR's survival.
March
Defeat of Bhukarin & the Right
- In 1928, political tensions in the Duumvirate began to emerge, Stalin didn't want to share power & disagreed with B's NEP
How and why Stalin became party leader - First breakthrough in 'normalising' relations between USSR & wider world had been Treaty of Rapallo (1922).
& peasant stance. Defeat of the Left Opposition (1924-27)
- Since then, relations had been good between the two & prosperity & peace seemed to be returning to Europe, e.g.
- Start of 1928, serious food shortage: difficulty buying enough grain from peasants (increased party dissatisfaction with - At the time that the treat of Stalin was starting to be perceived, Trotsky hesitated at the 13th Party Congress in May 1924 (he
Locarno Treaties (1925) which ensured the post-war peace settlement wouldn't be altered by force.
NEP). Undercurrent of criticism of B - seen as 'soft' on peasant issue. never found a better opportunity).
- Stalin personally supervised stern measures in western Siberia in Jan/Feb 1928. (didn't discuss with B, tensions grew) - The Triumvirate seemed strong. Lenin's funeral enabled Stalin to
- Stalin was also preparing for rapid industrialisation, B wanted slow - friction. - Stalin had also been gradually putting loyal supporters in key positions: Molotov, Kaganovich, Voroshilov, Kirov. become more powerful
- Treaty of Berlin (1926) - It talked about trustful cooperation between the Germany & the Soviet Union, stating that if
- In April 1928, B protested against 'excesses' by officials - not supported by Party. - After the 13th PC, tensions in the Triumvirate grew - K & Z angry they couldn't control Stalin. - Placed in charge of the arrangements Germany and the Treaty of Berlin
either country was attacked by a 3rd party, the other would remain neutral & neither would take part in any economic
- The two clashed in the Politburo (B now isolated TOO) - (After May 1924) Bukharin became an ally of Stalin and people were starting to agree with 'Soc in 1 country'. (also arguments - Promoted the cult of Leninism by
SUCCESSFUL!!! boycott launched against the other. It was to remain in force for 5 years.
- Stalin was now reverting to leftist policies again, e.g. war against Kulaks, aggressive support for Comintern, rapid ind. over NEP) making it a state ocassion
- USSR also gained economic benefits from the treaty; in June 1926 they received large financial credits from German
- B now an enemy, along with Rykov & Tomsky & in Feb 1929 he even considered aligning with Trotsky. - In the midst of shifting alliances, Stalin hid in the middle, biding his time. - Insisted L's body was embalmed & put
banks.
- April 1929, deprived of several gov. posts, inc. editorship of Pravda - At the C.C. in January 1925 Trotsky was forced out of his post as 'People's Commissar for War'. (isolated). on display to public
Good relations continued until death of German foreign minister in 1929, coinciding with world economic crisis
- Nov 1929, expelled from Politburo. - K & Z launched a direct attack on Stalin in the 14th PC in Dec 1925. - Trotsky was also absent (recovering
& Stalin's more radical policy on the role of the Comintern.
- FAILED, easily painted as factionalists (also isolated). from influenza), damaged his position. Outcomes for the other contenders
- Stalin then formed a Duumvirate with Bukharin, virtually ran the country in 1926/27.
In Dec 1929, Stalin made a speech revealing
- K & Z joined Trostky mid 1926 (United Opposition). Lots of theoretical infighting as well as political 'Literary Discussion' (war of
harsh nature of his policies ab to follow -
words) ensued & Trotsky lost to Stalin too.
HE'S IN CONTROL NOW
- There was a continuous struggle between Trotsky&co and Stalin&co, but at the 15th PC in Dec 1927 Trotsky, Z & K were
expelled.
- None of the other contenders lived beyond 1940.
- Some, like Trotsky went into exile, most tried to reconcile themselves to Stalin's rule, e.g. Z & K gave into
Stalin in 1928, but lost their high posts in Politburo.
- Rykov sacked & replaced by Molotov in 1930, Tomsky removed from role with trade unions.
Changes in the Comintern
- Even B (most commited opponent of Stalin admitted 'my mistakes' in Nov 1930 to keep some limited
influence on party.
To Stalin, the
- Many died in the show trials/purges of 1930s, with signed confessions. He erased many of their
Comintern was a
contributions' through falsifications of photos, documents etc...(censorship)
nuisance & - Stalin's actions in China (1925-27) had been typical of his approach to the
hangover from
priority.
failed dreams of
All other contenders
'Permanent rev' - But, as his grip on power domestically tightened during 1929, he moved t
fatally
He had strategically
foreign policy as part of his 'Stalin Revolution'.
underestimated him He placed loyal
positioned himself close to and his abilities. supporters in key - At 6th Cominterm Congress in July 1928, S announced the time was righ
Lenin during his illness, positions gradually and social democratic parties in Europe 'social fascists'. He pushed the Com
could claim he knew what (power base)
Trotskyists & prepare to spread world revolution.
Lenin wanted. Also
organised his funeral - Soviet control over Comintern became tighter, he put loyal yes-men in cha
He took the communist parties in France, Germany & Italy.
moderate/middle ground - Comintern as an international brotherhood dropped, now a tool of Stalin'
so he could hide amidst
the infighting and appeal
Was tactically smart - made
Why Stalin won the power struggle... to all party members
many well-timed alliances,
e.g. Triumvirate, Duumvirate.
Used his enemies to take Everyone else had been blinded
down others, then them (Z, K, by their fear/dislike of Trotsky &
B) worked with Stalin (Triumvirate),
allowing Stalin to gain power
without attention being drawn to
Lenin's Testament had
this until it was too late
talked badly of the other He bided his time &
opponents too, and Stalin hid his personal
made sure it wasn't agenda
published as intended His position as General
Secretary (1921) had
given him immense
control/power in the
bureaucracy, e.g.
appointed local party
secretaries, controlled
OGPU.
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