How and why did Stalin become leader of the USSR?

You will be able to explain the significance of the French Revolution, collective leadership vs dictatorship, Permanent Revolution vs Socialism in One Country and the debate over the NEP.

Discussion questions
1) What does it take to get into any position of power? 2) What challenges would face Russias new leader in 1924?

Lenins Decline and Death

August 30, 1918 Assassination attempt on Lenin leaves him with a bullet lodged in his neck. April 24 1922 German doctor removes bullet May 1922 Lenin has a stroke, leaving him partly paralysed on one side December 1922 Second stroke forces Lenin to withdraw from active politics, although he still commanded from the sidelines.

March 9 1923 Third stroke leaves Lenin bedridden and unable to speak
January 21, 1924 Lenin dies

Members of the Politburo in 1924 Trotsky: Commissar for War Stalin: Communist Party Secretary Kamenev: Chairman of the Politburo Rykov: Chairman of Sovnarkom Zinoviev: Chairman of Comintern (est. 1919 to help communists in other countries) Bukharin: responsible for propaganda Tomksy: responsible for Trade Unions The two serious contenders that emerged were Leon Trotsky and Josef Stalin. Write a short fact file about each person (10 minutes now)

Parallels with the French Revolution

In both cases, the monarch was overthrown and a moderate liberal government put in place. In both cases, the overthrow of the monarch was largely due to food shortages in the capital. In both cases the moderate liberal government failed to solve the food shortage and was overthrown in turn by more radical parties. In both cases, the radical parties used terror and class warfare to secure their position. Marat was assassinated by a woman, and a woman shot Lenin in 1918.

Parallels with the French Revolution

Communists look at the French Revolution as an attempted Socialist Revolution that failed: With the help of the army, the radical government in Paris was overthrown. Shortly thereafter, the new government was overthrown by a talented General, Napoleon, who proceeded to make himself emperor.

a) What factors would you have chosen for the leader of Russia in 1924? b) What factors did STALIN possess? Good Marxist theoretician Good orator Capacity for organization Able to melt into the background Boring and dull Good at carrying out routine tasks. Good at doing the paperwork a good bureaucrat Unwavering loyalty to the party Clear vision of the way to socialism and prepared to take on party members who did not share this vision. An important player in the Revolution of 1917. Somebody everyone could accept because he did not have strong views. Good in discussion and debate Popular with the party. Able to work with other leading party figures Able to be ruthless A good writer.

Collective Leadership vs Dictatorship

Power had become increasingly concentrated in Lenins hands during the Civil War. Since his second stroke, the Politburo had been taking many decisions collectively. They saw this as more consistent with Socialism. They wanted to avoid a situation where a dictator might take over as had happened in the French Revolution. On the other hand, they wanted strong unified leadership for the party.

The Debate over the NEP

Agricultural production had recovered but had not reached the levels of 1913.
1913 1920 Grain Harvest (million tonnes) 80.1 46.1 1921 37.6 1922 50.3 1923 1924 1925 1926 56.6 51.4 72.5 76.8

Furthermore, because the large farms of the old landlords of 1913 had been broken up, into small subsistence farms, less grain was being put on the market. Peasants sometimes decided not to sell their grain because there was little they could buy with money. Furthermore, the NEP wasnt socialist and had created an unsavory class of capitalists (NEPmen).

The Debate over the NEP

The Left Wing: Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev and Stalin Policies: End the NEP. Move the peasants onto large, efficient collective farms. Fewer peasants would be needed. These could move to the cities and become workers. Use the surplus grain produced to buy the equipment needed to industrialize Russia quickly through a series of centrally-organized plans.

The Debate over the NEP

The Right Wing: Bukharin, Rykov, Tomsky Policies: Continue the NEP. Increase the price of grain to encourage the peasants to sell more. Provide machinery and training for the peasants and encourage them to farm collectively on a voluntary basis. Proceed with industrialization slowly.

Permanent Revolution vs Socialism in One Country

Permanent Revolution Trotskys Theory (adapted from Marxs theory) The Russian Revolution would only survive and succeed if:
They continued revolutionary work to industrialize Russia and reshape attitudes within Russia along Socialist lines. They worked actively to spread the revolution to more countries.

Permanent Revolution vs Socialism in One Country

Socialism in One Country Stalins Theory, 1924 The expected spread of socialist revolution to other countries hadnt happened and wasnt likely to happen any time soon. Russia was a great country and was capable of building socialism without help from outside. It could then be an example to the rest of the world.

Trotskys Good Points

Persuaded Lenin to postpone the Revolution until the night before the All-Russian Congress of Soviets. In charge of the Military Revolutionary Committee which had planned and run the November Revolution. Negotiated the Treaty of Brest Litovsk. Organized and led the Red Army during the Civil War. Member of the Politburo Commissar for War Very intelligent Excellent speaker and writer.

Trotskys bad points

Menshevik until 1917. Arrogant and aloof Unwilling to make alliances and engage in political in-fighting i.e. Twice turned down the post of vice chairman of the Council of Peoples Commissars when Lenin offered it to him. (Effectively vice Presidency) Often ill from 1923 onward absent at crucial moments. i.e. Lenins funeral Clear frontrunner made him a target. Definitely left wing, so right didnt like him. Jewish (not supposed to matter, but it may have)

Proletarian background Long-time Bolshevik Willing to make deals and alliances. Excellent administrator Head of Orgburo and member of Politburo from 1919 1922 General Secretary of the Communist Party In charge of deciding which party members would fill which government posts. Also in charge of membership admissions. Seemed ideologically moderate. Main speaker at Lenins funeral.

Stalins Good Points

Stalins bad points

Dismissed from his post during the Civil War for not following orders from Trotsky. Not known as a great thinker or speaker. Lenins Testament Letter to the Central Committee (see source 1 on page 82)

Kamenev good points

Long-time member of the Bolshevik Party Party Secretary in Moscow Commissar for Foreign Trade Member of Politburo Well liked Intelligent.

Kamenev bad points

Disagreed with Lenin on April Theses and on the October Revolution. Not ruthless enough to lead.

Zinoviev good points

Long time Bolshevik (with Lenin on the train in April 1917) Party Secretary in Leningrad Chairman of Comintern Member of Politburo from 1919. Good speaker

Zinoviev bad points

Opposed Lenin on October Revolution and wanted a coalition of Socialist parties rather than single-party rule. Not a great thinker. Unpopular seen as vain, incompetent and cowardly

Bukharin- good points

Long time Bolshevik, but younger than the other contenders. Intellectual Member of Politburo from 1922 Popular Praised in Lenins Testament as the biggest and most valuable theoretician in the Party and the favourite of the whole party

Bukharin bad points

Opposed Lenin over Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and was part of the workers opposition in 1921 arguing for independent trade unions. Lacked political cunning.