Grade: A*
Opposition from within the Communist Party posed a greater threat to Soviet leaders
than that from opponents and cultural dissidents outside’. Assess the validity of this
view of years 1941-64
Chronological: 1941-64
Topic: Opposition to Soviet leaders
Analysis: Did opposition within the Communist Party pose a greater threat than opponents
and cultural dissidents outside?
Both Stalin and Khrushchev dealt promptly with opposition from within the Party, which
suggests that this type of opposition did pose a threat. However, in terms of the ‘greater
threat’, opposition outside the Party arguably posed a greater long-term effect with both
Soviet leaders being aware of the potential danger of anti-Communist works and ideology.
Although opposition from within the Communist Party under Stalin did not in reality pose a
great threat to him as the leader, Stalin’s behaviour and clear paranoia suggests that he
perceived this ‘opposition’ as a real threat. This is evident when Stalin launched a new purge
of Party leadership after the war, particularly targeting top army leader who had enjoyed
enormous authority as a result of the USSR’s victory. Along with this, Stalin attempted to
remove ex-opponents from history by removing them from history books and even
photographs. For example, Zhukov (a potential rival for Stalin due to popular adulation) was
demoted to commander of Odessa Military District and written out of Soviet accounts of the
war. This perceived ‘opposition’ is also evident in the 1949 Leningrad affair, in which due to
the Party having shown some independence Stalin had the leaders arrested and executed.
Moreover, the fact that Stalin did not prepare for a party successor indicates the extent of
his fear of Party opposition as increasingly he relied on a small inner circle of those he
trusted, indicating a fear of the threat that the Party could pose. The fact that Stalin did not
hold any Party congresses between 1939 and 1952 could also be viewed as evidence of
Stalin seeing Party ‘opposition’ threatening as evidently he attempted to alienate Party
members. Additionally, opposition from outside the party at no point threatened Stalin’s
position as the leader. For example, despite there being an increase people voicing criticism
during the war such as German collaborists in ethnic minority areas, this opposition was
dealt with by harsh terror tactics. However, the extent of the threat from within the Party is
questionable as throughout his rule Stalin held complete authority over the Party and
therefore there was no ‘real’ threat from within.
Similarly,… (preview ends)
Opposition from within the Communist Party posed a greater threat to Soviet leaders
than that from opponents and cultural dissidents outside’. Assess the validity of this
view of years 1941-64
Chronological: 1941-64
Topic: Opposition to Soviet leaders
Analysis: Did opposition within the Communist Party pose a greater threat than opponents
and cultural dissidents outside?
Both Stalin and Khrushchev dealt promptly with opposition from within the Party, which
suggests that this type of opposition did pose a threat. However, in terms of the ‘greater
threat’, opposition outside the Party arguably posed a greater long-term effect with both
Soviet leaders being aware of the potential danger of anti-Communist works and ideology.
Although opposition from within the Communist Party under Stalin did not in reality pose a
great threat to him as the leader, Stalin’s behaviour and clear paranoia suggests that he
perceived this ‘opposition’ as a real threat. This is evident when Stalin launched a new purge
of Party leadership after the war, particularly targeting top army leader who had enjoyed
enormous authority as a result of the USSR’s victory. Along with this, Stalin attempted to
remove ex-opponents from history by removing them from history books and even
photographs. For example, Zhukov (a potential rival for Stalin due to popular adulation) was
demoted to commander of Odessa Military District and written out of Soviet accounts of the
war. This perceived ‘opposition’ is also evident in the 1949 Leningrad affair, in which due to
the Party having shown some independence Stalin had the leaders arrested and executed.
Moreover, the fact that Stalin did not prepare for a party successor indicates the extent of
his fear of Party opposition as increasingly he relied on a small inner circle of those he
trusted, indicating a fear of the threat that the Party could pose. The fact that Stalin did not
hold any Party congresses between 1939 and 1952 could also be viewed as evidence of
Stalin seeing Party ‘opposition’ threatening as evidently he attempted to alienate Party
members. Additionally, opposition from outside the party at no point threatened Stalin’s
position as the leader. For example, despite there being an increase people voicing criticism
during the war such as German collaborists in ethnic minority areas, this opposition was
dealt with by harsh terror tactics. However, the extent of the threat from within the Party is
questionable as throughout his rule Stalin held complete authority over the Party and
therefore there was no ‘real’ threat from within.
Similarly,… (preview ends)
