Stalin’s Russia- 1924-1953

1. Stalin’s Russia- 1924-1953 How did the man known as ‘Comrade Card Index’ and ‘The Grey Blur’ seize control of Russia?

2. Describe Russia in the early 20th century to me in no more than 5 words on your whiteboard. Did you get: Feudal (king rules with help of nobility) Tsar Aristocracy Peasants (80%) Farming Backwards Chaotic No rights

3. Homework • Read chapter 1 (pgs 1-11) again and make notes, much of this will be covered in the lesson, however, you need to have Lenin’s legacy clear in your head. Make sure you understand the following: • Why Lenin loses support at first. • Civil War • War Communism • Democratic Centralism • The ban on factions

4. It all goes down hill.... • Popular at first, why did Lenin start to lose support? • Brest-Litovsk • No democracy • Civil War (between Communist Reds and opposing Whites, made up of people who want a return to tsarism, democracy or a different form of socialism)

5. Leading up to the power struggle • By early 1921 the Communists had won the Civil War but the country was in ruins. • Famine • To combat this Lenin introduces NEP which ends rationing and requisition and allows peasants to make a profit. Government taxed them on this and put money into industry. • Seen as temporary measure to stay in power, many Communists don’t like it.

6. Leading up to the power struggle • In 1921 any opposition that survived the Civil War was banned. • Communists retained control of the press. • Ban on factions introduced- Closed debate within the party. No criticism of Lenin’s policies allowed. • By 1921 no opposition and no debating policies within party. • Lenin dies in January 1924.

7. Leadership: What makes a good leader?

8. What did these lack?

9. The Problem • Lenin’s death in 1924 left behind two problems: • He had not named a successor. • Fearing his death, Lenin had dictated his Letter to Congress, now known as Lenin’s Testament. Basically his will. His aim was to point out the dangers of a split party. He also considered the strengths and weaknesses of leading members of the party. Whilst he praised many, he also made their weaknesses clear.

10. The Lenin Legacy • It is not an exaggeration to say that in the eyes of the Communist party, Lenin was a god. • His actions and decisions became unchallengeable, and all arguments in the Party were settled by reference to his statements and writings. • After 1924, if a Party member could assume the mantle of Lenin and claim to be carrying on his work, he could establish a claim to power. Stalin decided to do just this. There is one problem with this: What is Leninism?

11. 1924: The situation • There were five Communists in 1924 who had a realistic chance of becoming the new ruler of Russia. Their authority- that is, their perceived right to be involved in the highest level of Soviet government, was rooted in their revolutionary record, their relationship with Lenin and their appeal within the party. At this time, Stalin was seen as a great administrator but nothing more. At the time of Lenin’s choice he was far from the obvious choice.

12. Strengths and Weaknesses • Using the worksheet and pages 12- 16 in the Edexcel book, assess who was most likely to seize power using the activities at the bottom of the worksheet.

13. Who Wins?

14. Stalin (p. 15) versus Trotsky (p. 19)

15. Stalin (p. 15) versus Trotsky (p. 19)

16. Plenary • Look back at the start of the lesson, which leadership quality will be the most important one to seize power in Russia?

17. Homework • Complete the worksheet. Read 235/236 and complete the activities. • Read chapter 2 and create short biographies for each of the contenders.