Stalin's Russia and succession of lenin

• What illness did Lenin suffer from starting in 1922?


  strokes
• What was the outcome of Lenin's death in January 1924?

  It led to a power struggle for succession
• Who were the potential leaders to succeed Lenin?

  Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev, Bukharin
• Why was it hard to find a replacement for Lenin?

  He had no single role and much power
• What did Lenin's final testament say about Stalin?

  He heavily criticised Stalin's leadership ability
• What position did Stalin hold when Lenin died?

  General Secretary of the Communist Party
• What was significant about Stalin's belief in 'Socialism in One Country'?

  It emphasized national success over international revolution
• How was Trotsky perceived compared to Stalin?

  He was more charismatic and engaging
• What was Trotsky's main focus in his political ideology?

  Permanent Revolution across multiple countries
• What criticism did Lenin have of Zinoviev and Kamenev?

  They did not support the Bolshevik seizure of power
• How was Bukharin viewed within the Communist Party?

  Well-liked and respected as a thinker
• What was the NEP and why was it controversial?

  It perpetuated inequality and was seen as anti-communist
• What was Stalin's first step to secure his power?

  Remove Trotsky from the political scene
• What happened to Trotsky in 1925?

  He lost his job as Commissar for War
• How did Stalin manipulate Trotsky during Lenin's funeral?

  He tricked Trotsky about the funeral date
• What was the outcome for Trotsky in August 1940?

  He was murdered by an agent sent by Stalin
• What were the steps Stalin took to remove Zinoviev and Kamenev?

  He allied with Bukharin to isolate them
• What did Lenin outlaw in 1921?

  Factionalism within the Communist Party
• What happened to Zinoviev and Kamenev after they were accused of factionalism?

  They were dismissed and expelled from the party
• What was Bukharin's stance on industrialisation?

  He was not popular and opposed rapid industrialisation
• What did Stalin introduce to accelerate industrialisation?

  Five Year Plans
• How did Bukharin respond to Stalin's policies?

  He plotted against Stalin and was expelled
• What were the main steps in Stalin's rise to power?

  1. Remove Trotsky from power
  2. Isolate Zinoviev and Kamenev
  3. Expel Bukharin from the party
• What were the consequences of the NEP within the Communist Party?

  • Created divisions among party members
  • Led to the formation of the United Opposition
  • Accused of fostering inequality and anti-communism
• What percentage of Communist party members were expelled by 1933?

  18%
• What do purges describe in the context of Stalin's USSR?

  Mass arrests, imprisonment, and execution
• What was the purpose of the Great Purge (1936-1938)?

  To distract from economic issues and secure Stalin's position
• What did Stalin do after sidelining his opponents?

  He strengthened his hold on the Communist Party
• Why couldn't the left of the party challenge Stalin by the end of 1925?

  They had too many public disagreements
• What were the key features of Stalin's policies during his leadership?

  • Emphasis on rapid industrialisation
  • Introduction of collectivisation
  • Use of Five Year Plans
  • Suppression of opposition
• Who were part of the United Opposition in 1926?

  Trotsky, Kamenev, and Zinoviev
• How did executions during the purges serve Stalin's regime?

  They set an example for potential dissenters
• What was one effect of the purges on local communist party bosses?

  Helped control them and prevent corruption
• What were the social and economic consequences of Stalin's policies?

  • Increased state control over agriculture
  • Urbanisation due to industrialisation
  • Widespread famine and hardship
• What was the NKVD created from in 1934?

  OGPU
• What was the primary job of the NKVD?

  To stamp out opposition to communist rule
• What incident in 1936 was blamed on enemies rather than unsafe conditions?

  Explosions in the Keremovo mines
• Why did Stalin initiate the purges?

  To deal with internal opposition and strengthen his position
• What did the United Opposition fail to do at the 1926 Central Committee plenum?

  They did not attack the General Secretariat
• What was the United Opposition's stance on Stalin's policy in 1927?

  They attacked 'Socialism in One Country'