Cover for Mrs Packer The books the students will need is “Russia in Transition 1905 – 1924” In period 3 this is in K8 In period 4 this is in K1 Please ensure books are moved to K1 between lessons.

Lenin’s political testament 1923 Comrade Stalin, having become secretary, has unlimited authority concentrated in his hands and I am not sure whether he will be capable of using that authority with sufficient caution. Comrade Trotsky on the other hand is perhaps the most capable man in the present committee. Stalin is too rude and this fault is not acceptable in the office of secretary. Therefore I propose to comrades that they find a way of removing Stalin from the past. What does this source suggest about the leadership of the Communist Party?

The rivalry and struggle for power. L/O: To understand the political consequences of Lenin’s death

In January 1924, after a series of strokes, Lenin died. There was no obvious successor, and no mechanism had been set up for the appointment of a new leader. StalinTrotskyKamenevZinovievBukharin There were many who wished to take over. These included: Photographs © David King Collection

Lenin left a letter that has become known as his Last Testament. In it, he made comments on people in the party who wanted power. An interpretation is below: The most capable, but too big- headed and too concerned with detail. These men opposed me when I tried to set the date for the revolution in October This was no accident and they are not to be trusted. Rude and too powerful, should be removed from his post as Party Secretary. The favourite of the party, an able thinker and planner. StalinTrotskyKamenevZinovievBukharin Photographs © David King Collection

The most capable, but too big- headed and too concerned with detail. These men opposed me when I tried to set the date for the revolution in October This was no accident and they are not to be trusted. Rude and too powerful, should be removed from his post as Party Secretary. The favourite of the party, an able thinker and planner. Which one do you think would have been most likely to succeed Lenin, and why? StalinTrotskyKamenevZinovievBukharin Photographs © David King Collection Which one of these five do you think would be the best successor to Lenin, and why?

Task 1. Use p Draw a timeline to Lenin’s decline in health. What impact do you think this had on the government of Russia? Read p 108 on Lenin’s funeral and add to your timeline. SPEND NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES ON THIS ACTIVITY

Task 2 You’re hired! Divide into groups of 4. Now sub divide into pairs One pair to be Stalin and the other pair to be Trotsky. Using your previous learning and p you are to prepare a short speech to explain why you should be the next leader of Russia. You will only have 10 minutes to do this and then be ready to read out your speech if required.

So, what happened to each of these contenders for power, and who emerged as the next successor? Stage one: Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinoviev (the left wing of the party) joined together to oppose the continuation of the NEP (New Economic Policy). These three wanted rapid industrialization, collective farms and the use of force to make peasants produce enough food to feed workers in the cities. This was similar to the war communism of the civil war period but was appearing to go against Lenin’s wishes just before he died. Photographs © David King Collection

Stalin sided with Bukhurin on the right of the party. Trotsky, Kamenev and Zinviev were denounced as traitors to Lenin.They were expelled from the Communist Party. Why might Stalin be in a good position to manoeuvre himself into the leadership? Photographs © David King Collection

What will Stalin do now? Will he support his old friend? In 1927 Stalin sent soldiers to arrest those who were making a profit as a result of the NEP. He called them internal enemies and said that NEP had to be abandoned. Bukhurin now accused Stalin of being a tyrant. As Party Secretary Stalin had appointed all his supporters to positions of power. Bukharin was expelled from the party. Stage two: Bukharin had sided with Stalin to get rid of Trotsky, Zinoviev and Kamanev. He now proposed to continue with NEP for at least 20 years, because this is what Stalin had told him they should do. Photographs © David King Collection

Who was left as the undisputed leader of Russia in 1927? Photographs © David King Collection Stalin Describe and explain how Stalin became leader of Russia despite Lenin suggesting he should be removed as quickly as possible.

Trotsky lost the contest because of his mistakes

Stalin trusted to luck rather than careful planning

Stalin appeared to be a dull and unimaginative politician

Stalin was ruthless and devious

Stalin was a dull and unimaginative politician

Exam practice Explain why Stalin emerged as the favourite to succeed Lenin by the end of ( 6 marks)