Power Vacuum After Lenin

Power Vacuum After Lenin

• Stalin emerged as the victor in the Communist Party power struggle following Lenin's death.
• A triumvirate of Stalin, Zinoviev, and Kamenev initially formed to prevent Trotsky from taking control.
• Ultimately, Stalin gained the most from the political maneuvers initiated by Zinoviev and Kamenev.

Stalin vs. Trotsky

• Trotsky was seen as a controversial figure because of his revolutionary accomplishments and past affiliation with the Mensheviks.
• Trotsky and the triumvirate had differences concerning bureaucratism, the New Economic Policy (NEP), and ideological issues.
• Stalin secured his dominance through political skill and strategic alliances.

Trotsky's Critique of Bureaucratism

• Trotsky criticized the excessive power held by Party officials and advocated for increased democracy within the Communist Party.
• Trotsky pushed for elections over appointments, aiming to undermine Stalin's authority.
• Lenin shared similar concerns regarding bureaucratism.

New Economic Policy (NEP) Controversy

• Trotsky opposed the NEP, viewing it as a sign of Bolshevism's decline, and supported rapid industrialization and collectivization.
• The triumvirate, which included Stalin, supported the NEP to facilitate gradual economic progress.
• Stalin's support for the NEP was likely driven by a desire to protect his power.

Ideological Differences

• Trotsky adhered to orthodox Marxism, advocating for "permanent revolution" supported by international socialist movements.
• Stalin promoted "socialism in one country" which asserted socialism could be achieved within Russia, without global revolutions.
• A key divide that would shape the future of the Soviet Union was marked by these differences.

Swift Defeat

• The triumvirate (Stalin, Zinoviev, and Kamenev) swiftly orchestrated Trotsky's defeat within the Communist Party.
• The triumvirate utilized its power over party decision-making structures to diminish Trotsky's power and influence.

Condemnation and Accusations

• Trotsky was condemned in October 1923 for allegedly forming a faction.
• This was deemed a violation of the 1921 ban on factions, at a joint meeting of the Central Committee and the Central Control Commission.
• The 13th Party Conference in January 1924 labeled his ideas as a deviation from Bolshevism, and initiated a negative press campaign.

Final Defeat

• The triumvirate ensured that Trotsky’s supporters purged from the Party and replaced with members who allied with the triumvirate, prior to the 13th Party Congress in May 1924.
• Trotsky’s arguments defeated during Congress votes as a result, marking the end of influence even though the formal removal would take time.

Trotsky's Expulsion

• Stalin used political maneuvering and violence against Trotsky, leading to his systematic removal from power.
• Trotsky formed an alliance with Zinoviev and Kamenev, but this failed to protect him.
• He was expelled from the Politburo by October 1926, from the Central Committee by October 1927, and from the Communist Party by November 1927.
• Trotsky refused to acknowledge “errors" under pressure.

Exile and Assassination

• Trotsky was exiled to Alma-Ata in January 1928, then deported to Turkey in February 1929.
• Trotsky was accused of "counter-revolutionary activity."
• While he continued his criticism of Stalin from exile, within Russia, he was removed from public life.

Stalin vs. Zinoviev and Kamenev

• Stalin eliminated strong opponents like Zinoviev and Kamenev, his former allies known as the "New Opposition," after defeating Trotsky.

Dissolution of Power

• The triumvirate (Stalin, Zinoviev, Kamenev) fell apart after Trotsky’s removal; Zinoviev and Kamenev turned against Stalin.
• Zinoviev and Kamenev became the “New Opposition," with Trotsky considered the “Old Opposition."
• Their purpose was to diminish Stalin's influence and grow their own within the Party.

Clashes: Bureaucratism

• The New Opposition argued Stalin held too much power.
• Increased bureaucratism under Stalin was criticized by the New Opposition.
• Kamenev argued Stalin was unfit to unify the Bolshevik leadership.

Clashes: New Economic Policy (NEP)

• Zinoviev and Kamenev turned against the NEP, fearing it was creating inequality and benefiting wealthy peasants.
• Differently from Stalin, who supported the NEP at the time, Zinoviev and Kamenev favored rapid collectivization and industrialization.

Clashes: Party Membership and Ideology

• The New Opposition wanted the Communist Party to focus on industrial workers, while Stalin was more lenient with social class criteria.
• Similar to Trotsky, they opposed the concept of “socialism in one country” and agreed that international revolutions were needed.

Downfall of the United Opposition

• Zinoviev and Kamenev allied with Trotsky in 1925 to form the "United Opposition" in an attempt to challenge Stalin's control.
• Stalin consolidated his control, especially over key Party decision-making structures, despite their joint efforts.
• Stalin attacked his opponents, ridiculing their logic as gossip.
• The United Opposition was overpowered, as Stalin's authority continued to rise.

Purges

• Stalin systematically removed and executed Zinoviev and Kamenev, after eliminating Trotsky, his former allies.

Power Removal

• Zinoviev lost his positions: expelled from the Politburo in July 1926, from the Central Committee in October 1927, and from the Communist Party in November 1927.
• Kamenev was removed from his government positions in December 1925 and expelled from the Party in November 1927.
• Many supporters within the party were also either incarcerated or died by suicide.

Brief Return

• Because Zinoviev and Kamenev took back their "mistakes", both were readmitted into the Party in June 1928, but their reinstatement was short-lived.

Kirov's Assassination

• Sergei Kirov was assassinated on December 1, 1934, leading to purges initiated of potential rivals although there was suspicion that Stalin may have involved himself.
• Stalin accused Zinoviev and Kamenev of causing Kirov’s death, even though there was no evidence.
• Zinoviev and Kamenev were sentenced to prison after a show trial in January 1935. Zinoviev given 10 years, and Kamenev given 5 years.

Final End

• Stalin ordered another public trial on August 15, 1936, accusing Zinoviev and Kamenev of anti-Sovietism, because he was unsatisfied with imprisonment.
• They were convicted, then executed on August 25, 1936.
• Zinoviev became hysterical before his death, while Kamenev remained silent and composed.
• Multiple family members were also jailed or killed.
• Stalin's ruthless elimination of Zinoviev and Kamenev solidified his power through purges and violence.

Atomi Video: Russian Communism

• The survival of communism in Russia was dependent on the strength of the economy the Bolsheviks inherited.
• Marxist theory says that a country transitioning to socialism needs to have a capitalist phase and the conditions needed for abundance.
• Russia was a feudal society, therefore struggled to modernize to eventually reach socialism.
• War communism was Ideologically convenient, but butchered the economy.
• The New Economic Policy helped revive the economy, but was ultimately capitalist and not a long term solution.
• Lenin (Bolshevik party leader/communist icon) died of a stroke in 1924.

Lenin's Testament

• Lenin wrote his opinions on each Communist Party leader.
• Lenin felt that Stalin had unlimited authority concentrated and was unsure if Stalin understood how to use it with discretion.
• Lenin found Trotsky to be more personally capable.
• Lenin was not fond of Stalin, but regarded Trotsky highly.
• No one was named as Lenin's successor.
• Main contenders included Stalin, Trotsky, Nikolai Bukharin, Lev Kamenev, Alexei Rykov, Grigory Zinoviev, and Mikhail Tomsky.

Stalin's Power Ascension

• Lenin did not trust Stalin.
• Stalin's roles as General Secretary, Commissar for Nationalities, Commissar for State Control, Commissar of Workers' Peasants' Inspection, and member of the politburo enabled Stalin to slowly amass power.
• He influenced the politburo, Orgburo, and Secretariat.
• Stalin limited the publication of Lenin's Political Testament, which had negative remarks about Stalin.

Stalin's Support

• Stalin had support in Zinoviev and Kamenev.
• Stalin built support by manipulating appointments and ousting anyone insubordinate.
• He created the 'cult of lenin' to inherit power.

Shifting Alliances

• Two main approaches to modernization after Lenin's death:
  • Trotsky, Zinoviev, and Kamenev (The Leftists) = backed state control over agriculture and ending the NEP for speedy industrialization.
  • Bukharin, Rykov, and Tomsky (The Rightists) = favored keeping the NEP for increased prosperity and a capitalist wave.
• Stalin first sided with leftists and then the rightists in 1925.
• He betrayed the rights in 1927.
• Stalin made good decisions when it came to alliances, staying unscathed from political downfall.

Reasons for Stalin's Win

• Stalin climbed the communist party ladder while his power went unnoticed.
• Bolsheviks underestimated Stalin when he was eager to fill administrative roles.
• Stalin filled party positions with loyalists to solidify support.
• Stalin suppressed Lenin’s Testament of negative comments using support from the Communist Party, Zinoveiv and Kamenev
• Stalin tricked Trotsky into missing Lenin's funeral, leading to the appearance of him being an arrogant and disloyal member.
• Stalin displayed Lenin's embalmed body in the Red Square for mourning.

Cult Impacts

• Stalin used "Marxist-Leninism" to strengthen Lenin's reputation and secure his place.
• Stalin associated himself and his own reputation with Lenin, positioning himself as a disciple.
• Stalin used alliances strategically by backing both left and right wing sides.
• Lenin gave Stalin power to axe his rivals through his ban on factionalism.
• Lenin’s ban on factionalism gave the power needed to axe Stalin’s opposition.
• Stalin used a common touch contrasting Trotsky, and listened to the public's wants, and concerns.
• While Trotsky and Lenin wanted Global revolution, Stalin proposed 'socialism in one country.'

Power Consolidation

• Stalin positioned himself as General Secretary to consolidate power by using Lenin's "Testament."
• Stalin outmaneuvered Trotsky and targeted the "New Opposition:" Zinoviev and Kamenev, and the "Right Opposition" led by Bukharin, Tomsky, and Rykov.
• Stalin’s shrewd political strategies cast himself as the true heir to Lenin.
• He consolidated power via bureaucratic means, manipulation, and strategic alliances by 1928.
• Stalin’s position as General Secretary enabled him to control staff and appointments, in order to build a base of loyal followers.
• His ability to manipulate debates to paint his rivals as threats to party unity helped secure his rise.