the power struggle
ideology
Lenin's death created a power vacuum due to leaving no heir
Power was supposed to be shared by collective leadership (marxist view)
In 1922-23 a triumvirate was formed of stalin, kamenev and zinoviev to block the ambitions of trotsky
stalin later left the triumvirate, and Kamenev and Zinoviev joined up with Trotsky
stalin
lenins testament
harsh assessment of party members
paticularly harsh against stalin
potential damage was able to be contained by the triumvirate
reputation of a violent man who was also an extremely hard worker
constantly underestimated by other party members
He placed loyal supporters in key positions
Strengths: crucial position as general secretary, mastered the theory of leninism-marxism, underrated by opponents, placed himself close to lenin during his period of illness
Weaknesses: colleagues saw him as violent which was accentuated by lenin’s criticism, played only a minor role in the october revolution, colleagues knew lenin turned against him
the left contenders
trotsky
Held power and prestige from his achievements in
the revolution and civil war
Arrogant and dismissive of party administration
Formidable political skills
Weaknesses: many bolsheviks feared him, bolsheviks were suspicious of him due to trotsky being a menshevik convert, was seen as inconsistent and an opportunist
Kamenev
Closely associated with zinoviev
Lacked the ambition to seek power for himself
Strengths: an old bolshevik so had great influence, strong power base in moscow, regarded as thoughtful and intelligent
Weaknesses: gained a reputation for inconsistency, too closely linked to zinoviev, underrated his opponents
Zinoviev
Chairmen of the comintern congresses
Strengths: an old bolshevik so commanded respect, been high in lenin's favour, role as party boss in leningrad gave him a strong power base
Weaknesses: opposed lenin with the timing of the bolshevik coup, underestimated his rivals
the right contenders
bukharin
Highly popular within the party
Strengths: popular within the party, best theorist within the party, expert on economics and agriculture
Weaknesses: no power base, underestimated stalin, made tactical mistakes
rykov
Frequently disagreed with lenin
Strengths: widely respected within the party due to his role in the revolutions, showed administrative ability in the implementation of war communism
Weaknesses: overshadowed by bukharin's popularity, largely held a ceremonial position, underrated stalin
tomsky
Old bolshevik with a working class background
Strengths: respected within the party, chief spokesman for trade unions, natural ally of moderate leaders
weaknesses: hostility towards Trotsky, power base in trade unions so subject of Stalin's jealousy