Kirov Theory B

• Stalin ordered Kirov's murder and had a number of motives to do so.
• Kirov spoke out against the use of force against the peasants and the pace of industrialisation.
• Kirov was becoming more popular within the Party than Stalin.
• At the 17th Party Congress in 1934, Kirov polled more votes in the election of the Central Committee than Stalin.
• Kirov had been approached by several provincial party secretaries and was urged to take over as General Secretary.

  • Kirov rejected this idea and informed Stalin who became concerned.
• Kirov's powerbase was in Leningrad which was the formed base of the left-wing opposition to Stalin in the 1920s led by Zinoviev.