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Unit 3: VCE History. Lenin’s Final Years and Legacy. Following the civil war Lenin began a purge of all party members who were critical of the communist leadership.
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Unit 3: VCE History Lenin’s Final Years and Legacy
Following the civil war Lenin began a purge of all party members who were critical of the communist leadership. • The Cheka were given unquestioned authority and one-third of the party membership were expelled. Strong personalities like Alexandra Kollontai were removed or ‘liquidated’. • Again Lenin was aiming for a system of ‘bureaucratic centralism’ in the Communist government. • This political shift allowed Joseph Stalin to rise through the ranks to General Secretary by 1922. Not a radish Absolut Control No radishes!
The Treaty of Union in 1922 reunited six provinces of the former Russian empire, which became known as the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). • In 1922 the Cheka was abolished and replaced by the GPU (State Political Organisation) and in 1924 by the OGPU (Unified State Political Organisation). Dzerzhinsky remained leader and ice-picks a weapon of choice. U mad? Formation of the USSR
Lenin suffered two major strokes in 1922 and a third in March 1923. • Due to his illness he avoided public attention but was visited by Politburo members like Stalin and Kamenev and he continued writing letters. • Lenin eventually died on 21 January 1924. • Trotsky got emotional, the people and postage stamps honoured his memory, Petrograd became Leningrad and his brain was taken away for further study. My work here is done, please take my brain Lenin’s illness and death
Stability of the Central Committee. • Maintain control of Stalin (who as Secretary General had unlimited authority) and Trotsky (who he described as ‘the most capable’ but also ‘self assured’ of the C.C.). • That Bukharin was ‘valuable’ but not Marxist enough and that Pyatakov was ‘outstanding’ but too focused on administrative matters. • He went on to suggest that Stalin be removed for being ‘too rude’. Bukharin’s cheeky grin Made him a hit with the ladies Lenin’s ‘Political Will’ Pyatakov: Pen-pusher by day. Gangsta’ by night.
Lenin is a tyrant and Marxism is dumb. Dude’s a control freak. I’m not sure if he was pure or heartless He created totalitarianism. Thank you for Stalin, Mr Lenin, thanks a bunch. Dmitri ‘The Volk’ Volkogonov Richard ‘Moses’ Malone Richard ‘Pipesy’ Pipes As a busy man myself, I understand the pressure he was under. Just not enough time to get things done Key Debates about Lenin Mr ‘Steve’ Busy
Richard Pipes – Reflections on the Russian Revolution • Mikhail Bulgakov – Heart of a Dog • Dmitri Volkogonov – From Stalinism to anti-Communism • OrlandoFiges – Links • Vladimir Lenin – Testament • Robert Service – A History of Modern Russia Some other things by Service • Some kid – ‘Lenin: Liberator or Oppressor’ • Richard Malone - HTAV Student Lectures Readings
