Stalin’s Russia

The Struggle for Power

Exam Skills

• Marks will be awarded for demonstrating the following skills:– Focusing on the requirements of the question (the topic,

the period, the key concept)– Remembering, choosing and using key information (such as

dates, names, places, stats)•When you have chosen the material you will use you need to decide on 4 to 6 relevant factors.•These must be arranged in a logical order.•ALWAYS link your points and evidence back to the question- think about PEA.

Describe Russia in the early 20th century to me in no more than 5 words on your whiteboard.

Did you get:• Feudal (king rules with

help of nobility)• Tsar• Aristocracy• Peasants (80%)• Farming• Backwards• Chaotic• No rights

WW1

• World War One exposed the weaknesses in the tsar’s government and Russia’s economy because:– The country could not supply the weapons needed.– Civilian population could not be fed.– Government could not organise war effort.

–By 1917 the Tsar had been forced to abdicate and a Provisional Government was in charge. By late 1917 the Communists had grown in popularity and had seized power in the October revolution.

What did the Communists believe in?

Lenin thinks Russia is here

It all goes down hill....

• Popular at first, why did Lenin start to lose support?– Brest-Litovsk– No democracy– Civil War (between Communist Reds and opposing

Whites, made up of people who want a return to tsarism, democracy or a different form of socialism)

Survival

• During the Civil War Lenin imposes War Communism, which included:– Requisition of grain from peasants (peasants

expected to work without making a profit)– Government control of industry– Abolition of money and introduction of rationing.– Red Army is reorganised by Trotsky (discipline,

death penalty reintroduced)– Unpopular, so how does it keep control: terror

Leading up to the power struggle

• By early 1921 the Communists had won the Civil War but the country was in ruins.

• Famine• To combat this Lenin introduces NEP which ends

rationing and requisition and allows peasants to make a profit. Government taxed them on this and put money into industry.

• Seen as temporary measure to stay in power, many Communists don’t like it.

Leading up to the power struggle

• In 1921 any opposition that survived the Civil War was banned.

• Communists retained control of the press.• Ban on factions introduced- Closed debate within

the party. No criticism of Lenin’s policies allowed.• By 1921 no opposition and no debating policies

within party.• Lenin dies in January 1924.

Leadership struggle

• By 1923 Communists had realised Lenin would not recover so power struggle was already underway.

• Key point: Russia was not a democracy so popularity amongst the people is irrelevant.

• The power struggle is fought with the party and therefore influence inside of it is the key to power.

• Lenin is seen as a God so all contenders aim to show that they understand Lenin and his policies best.

• What’s the problem with this: Clue, what is Leninism?

The Problems

• Lenin’s death in 1924 left behind two problems:

– He had not named a successor.– Fearing his death, Lenin had dictated his Letter to

Congress, now known as Lenin’s Testament. Basically his will. His aim was to point out the dangers of a split party. He also considered the strengths and weaknesses of leading members of the party. Whilst he praised many, he also made their weaknesses clear.

Match the descriptions with the Contenders.

Also in Politburo: Tomsky &Rykov

The two debates over the countries future.

The struggle for power was fought out through 2 debates: its economic policies and its role in

the world.

The person who won these debates would emerge as the leader of Russia.

So, why did Stalin emerge victorious?

Try to brainstorm the 4 factors you would use in an essay to answer this.

• Ideology: The ideological debates over the economy (Stalin switched at key points to gain more support.)• Roles: The positions he held in the party

• Stalin exploited the framework left behind by Lenin (ban on factions to get rid of opposition, used Lenin’s writings

to represent himself as his heir)• The use of alliances (He used these to pick of opponents

one by one rather than deal with them all at once.)

The IssuesThe economy• The Right (headed by Bukharin) wanted to keep the NEP as it

had ended famine and by 1926 industry was recovering. Bukharin argued that Lenin was committed to the NEP so his ideas reflected Leninism.

• The Left (headed by Trotsky) wanted to see the end of the NEP. He said it was dangerous and wanted to see policies like War Communism. This would entail having collective farms and all money should be driven into rapid industrialisation.

• Initially, the left wing policies were unpopular. Many were worried that collective farms could start a civil war.

The Issues

The position of Russia in the world• The Right and centre wanted ‘Socialism in One Country’

they argued that Russia had to concentrate on itself and strengthen its position.

• The Left wanted ‘Permanent Revolution’. They argued that Russia was not safe in a Communist world and that Russia should send aid to foreign Communist parties to inspire other revolutions.

• ‘Socialism in one Country’ was much more attractive to the party. It appealed to nationalism and promoted the idea that Russia could achieve great things.

The positions Stalin had

Stalin’s power over political institutions gave him a great advantage over his rivals. Unlike the others, Stalin had a huge influence over the

lower ranks in the party.

The positions Stalin had

Title What the job entailed How he used it

General Secretary of the Communist Party

Power of patronage: he was responsible for appointing people to key positions within the party and was able to promote people.

Recruitment

Younger ambitious members keen to impress Stalin. Stalin can decide who attends Party Congresses (meeting of delegates who represent party). Eventually Stalin effectively appoints delegates. This means he has an influence over who is in the Central Committee (group who manage party affairs elected by congress.)

In 1921 one quarter of members of party were in Red Army and are loyal to Trotsky. But Lenin enrolment (1923-25) extended membership and allowed Stalin to select members. This decreased support for Trotsky. By contrast Zinoviev and Kamenev have local leadership roles and Trotsky is head of Red Army and not a leader within Party.

Head of Central Control Commission

Set up to eradicate corruption party.

Gave Stalin power to discipline & investigate members. Stalin could use it to discipline those who opposed him.

Head of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Inspectorate

Ability to sack people Can sack those who criticise him.

Lenin’s LegacyBetween 1917 and 1921 Lenin had created a very central and

authoritarian system. Stalin used this to gain power.• Stalin used the an on factions to reprimand first Trotsky, then

Zinoviev and Kamenev, and finally Bukharin for factional activity.• Lenin had also created a very bureaucratic party: Stalin was a gifted

administrator and was able to use this to achieve his own goals. He could control the flow of information and hire and fire individuals.

• Lenin’s policies were often unclear and contradictory- Stalin used this to say that his policies were true representation of Leninism and the rest was against Lenin’s will.

• He used religious symbolism and language to signify his devotion to Lenin- i.e. the speech at Lenin's funeral.

AlliancesIn order to command power you had to have a

majority in the Politburo, the contenders for power would therefore have to make alliances

to gain a majority. There are 3 different stages of alliances that

Stalin used to get to power:The Triumvirate vs The Left Opposition 1923-25

The Duumvirate 1925-27Stalin vs Bukharin 1928-29

The Triumvirate vs the Left Opposition

• Zinoviev, Kamenev and Stalin act quickly when it appears obvious that Lenin won’t recover and create a triumvirate (a three person alliance). This gives them a majority over their greatest rival: Trotsky.

• Stalin is seen as little threat so K&Z pick him to create the majority. In return for his support Stalin asks that K&Z help him deal with Lenin's testament. They do and argue to the party that Stalin has learned his lesson and should be allowed to stay. They also argue that the document is damaging to the authority of the government and should be kept a secret. The Central Committee agree and Stalin keeps his job.

The Triumvirate vs the Left Opposition

• Their main aim is to keep Trotsky and the left out of power.• They do this with a dirty tricks campaign. First, Stalin tells

Trotsky the wrong date for Lenin's funeral. They then claim T’s absence is disrespectful.

• Next, Z&K publish histories of the revolution and Civil war which imply that T did not play a big role.

• Finally, Stalin implements Lenin Enrolment- increases party membership. Too young to know of Trotsky’s heroism and too poorly educated to understand his complex ideas.

• It works! In 1925 the economic policies of Trotsky and the Left are rejected.

The Triumvirate vs the Left Opposition

• Their main aim is to keep Trotsky and the left out of power.• They do this with a dirty tricks campaign. First, Stalin tells

Trotsky the wrong date for Lenin's funeral. They then claim T’s absence is disrespectful.

• Next, Z&K publish histories of the revolution and Civil war which imply that T did not play a big role.

• Finally, Stalin implements Lenin Enrolment- increases party membership. Too young to know of Trotsky’s heroism and too poorly educated to understand his complex ideas.

• It works! In 1925 the economic policies of Trotsky and the Left are rejected.

The Duumvirate 1925-27• After the defeat of Trotsky the Triumvirate no longer have a reason to work

together. Stalin and Bukharin become united in idea of Socialism in One Country but Z & K reject it.

• Stalin and Bukharin become the Duumvirate, supported by Rykov and Tomsky, become the majority in the Politburo. Z, K and T remain but are the minority.

• Z&K argue that Lenin always championed Permanent Revolution, S&B argue that this is unpatriotic.

• In 1926 Z, K &T form an alliance called the United Opposition. Z&K move to left and abandon support of NEP. Many aren’t convinced by this new alliance as Z&K have spent past years fighting off Trotsky- now it look like they’ll do anything for power.

• Stalin and Bukharin win against opposition due to B’s excellent public speaking at 1927 Congress and Stalin’s ability to pack congress full of supporters.

• Z, K & T are sacked from Politburo and expelled from party. Z&K are allowed to apologise and re-join but T refuses and is exiled.

Stalin vs Bukharin 1928-29• Three new members are elected to Politburo to replace T,

Z &K. All three support Stalin. Stalin now has majority of support and doesn’t need Bukharin, Rykov or Tomsky.

• Stalin uses new power in bold move- rejects NEP and moves left!! Very clever for 3 reasons

1. Still advocates popular policy of Socialism in One Country2. Now appeals to left who have just lost their three leaders

and need a new one….3. NEP has just started to fail as peasants are producing less

grain to force the price up. NEP no longer popular and pragmatists starting to look for alternatives.

Stalin vs Bukharin 1928-29• Stalin’s first move against NEP is to send govt agents to

countryside and seize grain. Bukharin uses his power to block this. S backs down to avoid controversy.

• By 1928 S orders collectivisation of countryside. S blocks B’s efforts to stop this by appointing his supporters to important posts.

• B is believed to consult with Z &K and B, Z and K are accused of breaking Lenin’s ban on factions.

• By 1928 B has lost and the first 5YP is launched. B remains in Politburo but has no power to block S, by the end of the year he has been expelled.

Conclusion• By 1928 Stalin is vozhd. His victory is a combination of

personal, institutional, historical, ideological and tactical factors.

• His lack of brilliance worked in his favour as he wasn’t seen as a threat.

• His simplicity appealed to new recruits- his works were easy to understand.

• Never had a public disagreement with Lenin- LT kept secret.• Adept at manipulating bureaucratic party machine Lenin

had created.• His vision appealed to nationalists.

How far were personalities responsible for Stalin’s victory

On the one hand they were because….

• Stalin ruthless, but threatened no-one

• Trotsky underestimated Stalin

• Z&K made bad choices• Bukharin fooled by Stalin

On the other hand there were other reasons…

• Stalin’s position• Use of alliances• Ideological battle• Use of Lenin