The Struggle for Power in the The Struggle for Power in the USSRUSSR

1924 - 1929

When Lenin died in 1924 there were three When Lenin died in 1924 there were three main contenders to replace him as the main contenders to replace him as the

head of the Soviet Unionhead of the Soviet UnionLeon TrotskyNikolai BukharinJoseph Stalin

By 1924 there were three major issues By 1924 there were three major issues facing the newly founded USSR:facing the newly founded USSR:

The Nature of Leadership – should the Soviet Union be headed by “collective leadership” (rule by committee) or by a single dictator

The NEP – should Lenin’s NEP be continued to strengthen the peasants or halted to focus on industrialization

The future of The Revolution – should the Communists foment world-wide worker revolts or focus on the socialist state in the USSR

The answers to each of these issues The answers to each of these issues resulted in a “spectrum” from left to rightresulted in a “spectrum” from left to right

Trotsky headed the Left Wing along with Zinoviev and Kamenev

Bukharin headed the Right Wing along with Rykov and Tomsky

Stalin fell into the center along with the majority of party members

TrotskyTrotsky

Trotsky’s arrogant attitude and support from the Red Army caused many to fear he would make himself dictator

He pushed for the end of the NEP and rapid industrialization at the expense of the peasants

“Permanent Revolution” – not only world wide but also within the USSR until communists had achieved global domination

BukharinBukharin Very popular (Lenin called him

the “golden boy” of the party) and open to a variety of perspectives and viewpoints

Advocated continuing the NEP to enrich the peasants whose consumption would create new industry; feared a conflict with peasants would cause economic collapse

Agreed with Stalin’s “Socialism in one country” focus on internal Russian development (with its strong nationalist and patriotic undertones)

Step 1 - 1924Step 1 - 1924

Eliminate Trotsky as a rival power

Stalin makes his move at the Thirteenth Stalin makes his move at the Thirteenth Party Congress in 1924Party Congress in 1924

He allies with Zinoviev and Kamenev (powerful Leftist supporters of Trotsky)

Zinoviev and Kamenev turn on Trotsky and eventually weaken his influence

Stalin continues to stack the delegates with his cronies and allows the Left to attack each other while he grows in influence

Step 2 - 1925Step 2 - 1925

Stalin allies with the Right to eliminate the Left

Stalin uses the Fourteenth Party Stalin uses the Fourteenth Party Congress in 1925 to eliminate the LeftCongress in 1925 to eliminate the Left

Bukharin and the Right join Stalin in his support of the NEP and “Socialism in One Country”

The Leftist move against Stalin but it is too late – he controls the delegates and the Right

In 1926 the Left rejoin with Trotsky to fight back In 1927 all major Leftist leaders are expelled from

the party

Step 3 – 1928Step 3 – 1928

Stalin moves against his Rightist allies

Stalin now moves against the RightStalin now moves against the Right

In 1928 he turns against the NEP and uses his power and influence to attack the Right

In 1929 the Right is defeated at the party Congress and all leaders are removed from power

Stalin now moves to fully adopt the policies once endorsed by the Left

By 1929 – Stalin turns 50 and is the undisputed leader of the USSR…

Trotsky flees to Turkey then France then Norway then Mexico where he is eventually killed by a Stalinist hitman in 1940…

Bukharin is eventually “reformed” and helps write the Soviet Constitution of 1936 before being arrested, tried and executed in the great purges of the late 1930’s…

So let’s review:So let’s review: Stalin quietly builds power by controlling appointments in

the Communist party and Soviet bureaucracy He then works with the Left to drive out Trotsky… Before siding with the Right to eliminate the Left… Before siding with “his” Left to destroy the Right… He then launches the 5 Year Plans in order to build

“Socialism in One Country” – adapting positions of both the Left and the Right now that he is unquestioned master of the USSR!

“It is enough that the people know there was an election. Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything.”