Edexcel AS History Russia from Lenin to
Yeltsin Questions and Answers.
What were two effects on the Soviet Union following the death of Lenin in 1924? - ANS >> - The
leadership struggle, following Lenin's death Trotsky, Stalin, Zinoviev, Kamenev and Bukharin all tried
very hard to gain leadership of the Soviet Union an eliminate their rivals. Many of the leaders were
defeated.
- There was confusion over how the economy should proceed, should they continue with the NEP or
continue with rapid industrialisation?
What was some key personal information about Stalin? - ANS >> - He was born into the mountainous
and lawless kingdom of Georgia in the south of the Russian Empire.
- He had a tough childhood and grew up in poverty. His father was an alcoholic and he caught smallpox
which left him with scars and he sustained an injury that permanently damaged his left arm.
- He developed a deep hated for the Tsarist system and became a communist revolutionary.
- He joined the Bolshevik party in 1903.
- He didn't play a glorious role in the October Revolution and the Civil War.
- He was admired by Lenin until 1923, for his humble origins, hard work and organisational abilities.
- He was appointed Commissar for Nationalities and later appointed as General Secretary.
What was some key personal information about Trotsky? - ANS >> - He was born into a wealthy Jewish
farming family in Ukraine. He was a talented school and university student.
- In 1905, he took a leading role in a large-scale but unsuccessful uprising against the Tsar.
- Until 1917, he had a difficult relationship with Lenin and refused to join the Bolsheviks because he
opposed Lenin's ideas of a small, secretive but highly organised political party.
- He and Lenin planned the October Revolution.
- In 1918, he became Commissar for the War and created the Red Army and led the Bolsheviks to victory
in the Civil War.
- He was highly regarded for his charisma and inspirational speechmaking, however, he was extremely
arrogant.
,- For 3 years from 1923 he suffered attacks of an unknown fever which left him crippled for a long period
of time.
What was some key personal information about Kamenev? - ANS >> - He had a working class upbringing.
- Joined the Bolsheviks in 1903 when it was formed.
- Became Lenin's close friend when they were exiled.
- Spent time in exile with Stalin.
- Head of the Moscow Communist Party and acting head of the Soviet Government.
- Supports rapid industrialisation and the ending of the NEP.
- Opposed plans for the October Revolution.
- Played little part in the Civil War.
What was some key personal information about Bukharin? - ANS >> - Born into a family of teachers.
- Endured arrest, imprisonment and exile as a Bolshevik in Tsarist times DEDICATED
- Helped the Bolsheviks seize power in Moscow during the October Revolution.
- He was a popular young politician and described by Lenin as 'golden boy'
- He was a brilliant thinker and political writer.
- Editor of the Party's most important political newspaper.
- Supports the NEP and opposes rapid industrialisation.
- He was seen as too inexperienced for the hard task of ruling the Soviet Union.
- His strong support for the NEP is unpopular amongst the party.
- Disagreed with Lenin on the meaning of Marxism.
What was some key personal information about Zinoviev? - ANS >> - Born the son of a prosperous
farmer.
- Joined the Bolsheviks in 1903.
- He fleed Russia and joined Lenin in exile.
- Viewed by Lenin as a close friend.
- In favour of rapid industrialisation and the ending of the NEP.
,- Opposed seizing power in the October Revolution.
- Gained a reputation in the Civil War for staying in luxurious hotels, far from fighting.
- Not popular - seen as vain and not very talented.
What were some of Stalin's advantages? - ANS >> - Seen as a Georgian peasant.
- Long history as a Bolshevik.
- Lenin liked and respected him.
- People like the idea of "socialism in one country" no war.
- Member of the Politburo so a leading politician.
- As General Secretary has access to many files so can promote his supporters into key positions.
- Had a difficult childhood which made him resilient.
What were some of Stalin's disadvantages? - ANS >> - Lenin's Political Testament called for his removal.
- He has a dull personality and isn't a good public speaker or thinker.
- He didn't take a leading role in the October Revolution or Civil War.
What were some of Trotsky's advantages? - ANS >> - Took part in the failed 1905 uprising against the
Tsar.
- Lenin's right hand man from 1917 until his death.
- Planned the October Revolution which brought communist rule to Russia.
- He created the Red Army which helped to win the Civil War.
- Popular amongst the Party's younger, more radical members.
- After Lenin is one of the most influential thinkers.
- He is a brilliant organiser and inspirational public speaker.
- Has important positions in the Party and is in charge of the Red Army.
What were some of Trotsky's disadvantages? - ANS >> - Only became a Bolshevik in 1917 some
commitment to the Party is questioned.
- Seen as arrogant and doesn't have many supporters.
- Some members are anti-Semetic so dislike him as he is Jewish.
, - Seen as too "Western".
- Often experiences bouts of fever which leave him exhausted.
- Doesn't like political tactics and rarely attends Party meetings.
- Many oppose his ideas of worldwide revolution as they are against new wars and violence.
- Seen as a threat as he is in charge of the Red Army.
What were the main features of the *left wing* communists? - ANS >> They were radicals who wanted
to build communism as quickly as possible. This required the ending of the NEP and beginning rapid
industrialisation. Its main figures were Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev.
What were the main features of the *right wing* communists? - ANS >> They were lead by Bukharin and
supported the NEP and the slow industrialisation of Russia. They supported Stalin's ideas of socialism in
one country and understood that it would be a long time before Russia became a communist society.
How did Stalin use Lenin's funeral to his advantage? - ANS >> He used it to present himself as Lenin's
loyal follower who simply wanted to continue Lenin's good work. He convinced ill Trotsky not to even
attend, thus damaging his reputation.
Why did Zinoviev and Kamenev argue that Lenin's Testament should not be released to the public? -
ANS >> - The Testament contained many embarrassing remarks about them they didn't want made
public.
- They didn't see Stalin as a threat to the leadership struggle.
- It contained many positive comments about Trotsky so they feared it would benefit him.
What were the main features of Step 1 of the leadership struggle: the defeat of Trotsky? - ANS >> -
Trotsky was seen as the man most likely to become the leader so the other rivals worked together to
defeat him.
- Stalin, Kamenev and Zinoviev formed the anti-Trotsky alliance which supported the NEP.
- Stalin lacked the authority in the Party to take on Trotsky alone.
- Zinoviev and Kamenev highlighted all the disagreements Trotsky had with Lenin in their speeches and
claimed that Trotsky exaggerated his role in the October Revolution.
- The 13th Party Congress in 1924 was when all of Trotsky's proposals had been rejected because Stalin
had packed the Committee with his supporters.
- In 1925 Trotsky lost his position as head of the Red Army and left active politics.
What were the main features of Step 2 of the leadership struggle: the defeat of the united opposition? -
ANS >> - The anti-Trotsky alliance split apart.
Yeltsin Questions and Answers.
What were two effects on the Soviet Union following the death of Lenin in 1924? - ANS >> - The
leadership struggle, following Lenin's death Trotsky, Stalin, Zinoviev, Kamenev and Bukharin all tried
very hard to gain leadership of the Soviet Union an eliminate their rivals. Many of the leaders were
defeated.
- There was confusion over how the economy should proceed, should they continue with the NEP or
continue with rapid industrialisation?
What was some key personal information about Stalin? - ANS >> - He was born into the mountainous
and lawless kingdom of Georgia in the south of the Russian Empire.
- He had a tough childhood and grew up in poverty. His father was an alcoholic and he caught smallpox
which left him with scars and he sustained an injury that permanently damaged his left arm.
- He developed a deep hated for the Tsarist system and became a communist revolutionary.
- He joined the Bolshevik party in 1903.
- He didn't play a glorious role in the October Revolution and the Civil War.
- He was admired by Lenin until 1923, for his humble origins, hard work and organisational abilities.
- He was appointed Commissar for Nationalities and later appointed as General Secretary.
What was some key personal information about Trotsky? - ANS >> - He was born into a wealthy Jewish
farming family in Ukraine. He was a talented school and university student.
- In 1905, he took a leading role in a large-scale but unsuccessful uprising against the Tsar.
- Until 1917, he had a difficult relationship with Lenin and refused to join the Bolsheviks because he
opposed Lenin's ideas of a small, secretive but highly organised political party.
- He and Lenin planned the October Revolution.
- In 1918, he became Commissar for the War and created the Red Army and led the Bolsheviks to victory
in the Civil War.
- He was highly regarded for his charisma and inspirational speechmaking, however, he was extremely
arrogant.
,- For 3 years from 1923 he suffered attacks of an unknown fever which left him crippled for a long period
of time.
What was some key personal information about Kamenev? - ANS >> - He had a working class upbringing.
- Joined the Bolsheviks in 1903 when it was formed.
- Became Lenin's close friend when they were exiled.
- Spent time in exile with Stalin.
- Head of the Moscow Communist Party and acting head of the Soviet Government.
- Supports rapid industrialisation and the ending of the NEP.
- Opposed plans for the October Revolution.
- Played little part in the Civil War.
What was some key personal information about Bukharin? - ANS >> - Born into a family of teachers.
- Endured arrest, imprisonment and exile as a Bolshevik in Tsarist times DEDICATED
- Helped the Bolsheviks seize power in Moscow during the October Revolution.
- He was a popular young politician and described by Lenin as 'golden boy'
- He was a brilliant thinker and political writer.
- Editor of the Party's most important political newspaper.
- Supports the NEP and opposes rapid industrialisation.
- He was seen as too inexperienced for the hard task of ruling the Soviet Union.
- His strong support for the NEP is unpopular amongst the party.
- Disagreed with Lenin on the meaning of Marxism.
What was some key personal information about Zinoviev? - ANS >> - Born the son of a prosperous
farmer.
- Joined the Bolsheviks in 1903.
- He fleed Russia and joined Lenin in exile.
- Viewed by Lenin as a close friend.
- In favour of rapid industrialisation and the ending of the NEP.
,- Opposed seizing power in the October Revolution.
- Gained a reputation in the Civil War for staying in luxurious hotels, far from fighting.
- Not popular - seen as vain and not very talented.
What were some of Stalin's advantages? - ANS >> - Seen as a Georgian peasant.
- Long history as a Bolshevik.
- Lenin liked and respected him.
- People like the idea of "socialism in one country" no war.
- Member of the Politburo so a leading politician.
- As General Secretary has access to many files so can promote his supporters into key positions.
- Had a difficult childhood which made him resilient.
What were some of Stalin's disadvantages? - ANS >> - Lenin's Political Testament called for his removal.
- He has a dull personality and isn't a good public speaker or thinker.
- He didn't take a leading role in the October Revolution or Civil War.
What were some of Trotsky's advantages? - ANS >> - Took part in the failed 1905 uprising against the
Tsar.
- Lenin's right hand man from 1917 until his death.
- Planned the October Revolution which brought communist rule to Russia.
- He created the Red Army which helped to win the Civil War.
- Popular amongst the Party's younger, more radical members.
- After Lenin is one of the most influential thinkers.
- He is a brilliant organiser and inspirational public speaker.
- Has important positions in the Party and is in charge of the Red Army.
What were some of Trotsky's disadvantages? - ANS >> - Only became a Bolshevik in 1917 some
commitment to the Party is questioned.
- Seen as arrogant and doesn't have many supporters.
- Some members are anti-Semetic so dislike him as he is Jewish.
, - Seen as too "Western".
- Often experiences bouts of fever which leave him exhausted.
- Doesn't like political tactics and rarely attends Party meetings.
- Many oppose his ideas of worldwide revolution as they are against new wars and violence.
- Seen as a threat as he is in charge of the Red Army.
What were the main features of the *left wing* communists? - ANS >> They were radicals who wanted
to build communism as quickly as possible. This required the ending of the NEP and beginning rapid
industrialisation. Its main figures were Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamenev.
What were the main features of the *right wing* communists? - ANS >> They were lead by Bukharin and
supported the NEP and the slow industrialisation of Russia. They supported Stalin's ideas of socialism in
one country and understood that it would be a long time before Russia became a communist society.
How did Stalin use Lenin's funeral to his advantage? - ANS >> He used it to present himself as Lenin's
loyal follower who simply wanted to continue Lenin's good work. He convinced ill Trotsky not to even
attend, thus damaging his reputation.
Why did Zinoviev and Kamenev argue that Lenin's Testament should not be released to the public? -
ANS >> - The Testament contained many embarrassing remarks about them they didn't want made
public.
- They didn't see Stalin as a threat to the leadership struggle.
- It contained many positive comments about Trotsky so they feared it would benefit him.
What were the main features of Step 1 of the leadership struggle: the defeat of Trotsky? - ANS >> -
Trotsky was seen as the man most likely to become the leader so the other rivals worked together to
defeat him.
- Stalin, Kamenev and Zinoviev formed the anti-Trotsky alliance which supported the NEP.
- Stalin lacked the authority in the Party to take on Trotsky alone.
- Zinoviev and Kamenev highlighted all the disagreements Trotsky had with Lenin in their speeches and
claimed that Trotsky exaggerated his role in the October Revolution.
- The 13th Party Congress in 1924 was when all of Trotsky's proposals had been rejected because Stalin
had packed the Committee with his supporters.
- In 1925 Trotsky lost his position as head of the Red Army and left active politics.
What were the main features of Step 2 of the leadership struggle: the defeat of the united opposition? -
ANS >> - The anti-Trotsky alliance split apart.
