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Was the opposition strong under the Communist leaders 1917-41?, Gov was…
Was the opposition strong under the Communist leaders 1917-41?
Stalin's aim to combat opposition
Extended Lenin's terror
Used force to carry out Dekulakisation- to ensure no ideological opposition
Shakaty show trial- 53 enginers were accused of counter- rev activity and they were under show trial. 5 executed and other 44 given lengthy prison sentences
Show trials became common practice to highlight Stalin's discipline. Show trial of Zinoviev and Kamenev and 14 others to gain confessions of conspiracy acts. ALL EXECUTED.
1934, NKVD were established and took control of camps
April 1933, Stalin announced a purge of the part and 18% were Ryutinites and purged
Kirov Affair- betrayal over industrialisation, wished to end grain req and increase rations (Stalin disagreed), Stalin recieved 150 negative votes and only 2 Politburo members voted with Stalin (Molotov & Kagnanovic) - Kirov murdered in 1934, claimed it was a Trotskyite rebellion.
Great Purges of 1936-8- 'Yezhovshcina' (all sections of
society were terrorised, thousands sent to labour camps or executed) Yezhov took over NKVD in 1936.
1936/1937 8 senior military commanders forced to sign false confessions and tortured
Arrest list of 250,00 drawn up
Opposition under Lenin
The Civil War- reds and greens all opposed the communist ideas and fought the Bolshevik party. Highlights opposition and consequently cant be argued that the gov were strong and stable
Kronstadt Sailor Mutiny- March 1921, sailors most signif uprising as 30,000 men had prev supported Bolsheviks. Mutiny fought against taking power away from soviets and fought against WC. Lenin altered his policy- highlights success of opp. Lenin is nuanced.
Tambov Revolt- requistioning squads in 1920 arrived but peasants had barely any reserves, so revolted to protect their grain and make sure not taken away. 100,00 red army soldiers sent, brutal reprisal against Kulaks, poison gas used.
In cities, reduction of bread ration caused strikes and riots, led to re-emergence of other socialist parties. Martial law declared and Lenin had to use Cheka to crush this opposition
Lenin's treatments of the church shows his concerns with censorship within the church. Banned owning properties and they were raided. Shows Lenin's fear of the influence the Church could have on Soc.
Lenin's aim to combat opposition
Sovanarkom banned oppostion press and ordered arrest of Kadet, Menshevik and SR leaders.
Establishment of Cheka in Dec 1917
Dismissal of Constituent assembly in January 1918 removed potential opposition.
Civil War (1918-21) launched Red Terror
Any sus group tortured for info.
Sep 1918- Sovnarkom allowed Cheka to arrest and torture families of anyone suspicious
Remaining Mensheviks and SRs labelled as traitors and 500 shot in Petrograd
Tsar and family shot in July 1918, ending chance of Tsarist counter revolution
Lenin concerned over oppostion in his own part eg Workers Opposition (Alexandra Kollontai, demanded workers had more control over own affairs). Therefore introduced
Ban on Factionalism in 1921
- meant all party members has to agree with decisions of CC, anyone who opposed this threatened expulsion from party)
Opposition under Stalin
Stalin's wife Nadezhda commited suicide in 1932 and left note critcising Stalinist policies and sympathising with his enemies. Even those closest to him could betray him. Reported to public as death via appendicitis. Came at end of bad year.
1932, spate of worker's strikes occurred in response to FYPs.
1930, Bukharin re-elected into CC. Demonstrates continued support
1932, 2 opposition groups within party emerged-
Old Bolsheviks
led by Leonid Smirnov. Meetings where they debated Stalin's removal. Arrested and Smirnov exiled from party.
Ryutin Platform
- disapproved of political direction- sent papers to CC urging for Stalin's removal. All arrested. Ryutin 10 years in prison (gaining signatures of prominent communists, potentially a serious threat)
argued that Stalin ordered immediate execution but was not authorised and overruled by CC- highlights his insecure position.
1934- CC voted against pace of industrialisation and sided with Kirov. Of 1,996 delegates elected, 1,108 arrested, 848 of them were executed by 1939. Demonstrates Stalim faced oppostion within party. 98/139 members of CC shot. Number of show trials highlights the amount of opposition towards party.
Shows how fearful Stalin was of opposition and therefore shows he was not strong nor stable in his position as party leader.
Gov was strong and stable
Gov was not strong and stable