Stalin and the struggle power
Stalin and the Struggle for Power
The Communist Party in the 1920’s, Stalin’s Rise to Power and the Defeat of His Rivals.
When Lenin died he left no clear successor to lead the Communist Party.
Lenin’s Testament criticised all the leading candidates e.g. he described Stalin as ‘not being able to use power with sufficient caution’ and Trotsky for ‘excessive self assurance’.
A group of leaders emerged; a ‘collective leadership’.
By 1929 one of these leaders, Stalin had become a dominant force.
His success was the result of a power struggle.
Factor 1: The Ban on Factionalism.
In 1921 a resolution was passed banning all groups within the party from putting forward ideas that disagreed with the official party policy.
Those who showed a tolerance to factionalism could be expelled from the party.
Consequences:
This ban caused a lack of debate within the party.
It also resulted in many expulsions: during the power struggles of the 1920s those who succeeded in getting their ideas accepted were quick to accuse their opponents of factionalism.
Factor 2: A Centralised Party Machine.
Traditionally Communists did not believe in bureaucracy. However, dealing with the complexities of government forced the party into becoming more centralised.
The party decided to have a General Secretary to organise matters.
Who do you think got this job???
Consequences:
This position and the growing centralisation of the party put Stalin in a unique position to influence job appointments.
Factor 3: The growth in Party membership.
By 1933 there were 3 and a half million members.
Many members were young, inexperienced and uneducated
Consequences:
These were “malleable recruits”. They were much more likely to obey instructions than some older party members.
Factor 4: No one clear Leader.
Stalin
Trotsky
Zinoviev
Kamenev
Bukharin
Trotsky was the man most feared by the other senior members.
BUT…..
Trotsky refused to compete for leadership. He
The Communist Party in the 1920’s, Stalin’s Rise to Power and the Defeat of His Rivals.
When Lenin died he left no clear successor to lead the Communist Party.
Lenin’s Testament criticised all the leading candidates e.g. he described Stalin as ‘not being able to use power with sufficient caution’ and Trotsky for ‘excessive self assurance’.
A group of leaders emerged; a ‘collective leadership’.
By 1929 one of these leaders, Stalin had become a dominant force.
His success was the result of a power struggle.
Factor 1: The Ban on Factionalism.
In 1921 a resolution was passed banning all groups within the party from putting forward ideas that disagreed with the official party policy.
Those who showed a tolerance to factionalism could be expelled from the party.
Consequences:
This ban caused a lack of debate within the party.
It also resulted in many expulsions: during the power struggles of the 1920s those who succeeded in getting their ideas accepted were quick to accuse their opponents of factionalism.
Factor 2: A Centralised Party Machine.
Traditionally Communists did not believe in bureaucracy. However, dealing with the complexities of government forced the party into becoming more centralised.
The party decided to have a General Secretary to organise matters.
Who do you think got this job???
Consequences:
This position and the growing centralisation of the party put Stalin in a unique position to influence job appointments.
Factor 3: The growth in Party membership.
By 1933 there were 3 and a half million members.
Many members were young, inexperienced and uneducated
Consequences:
These were “malleable recruits”. They were much more likely to obey instructions than some older party members.
Factor 4: No one clear Leader.
Stalin
Trotsky
Zinoviev
Kamenev
Bukharin
Trotsky was the man most feared by the other senior members.
BUT…..
Trotsky refused to compete for leadership. He